Façade design, for various building types, has evolved significantly over the years. Along with the colour, material, texture, and detailing, lighting plays a pivotal role in shaping how buildings are perceived. The skyline of an area can appear strikingly different when viewed at night compared to daytime hours, showcasing the transformative power of illumination.

Understanding façade lighting

Before we move into the discussion on the latest trends and technologies in façade lighting, it is essential to understand the concept itself. A ‘façade’ refers to the frontal exterior appearance of an architectural structure. It is one of the most critical aspects of building design, as it creates the initial impression of the edifice in the mind of a viewer. Architectural Façade Lighting complements the exterior of the building, enhancing its shape and appearance. The key focus is to enable spectators to understand and appreciate the architecture, creating an emotional value and connection with the structure. It must be noted that façade lighting not only focuses on aesthetics but also considers the functionality and sustainability aspects of design. Environmentally sustainable lighting fixtures help designers save on capital costs while reducing the building’s carbon footprint. Modern architecture is decorated with numerous façade design strategies – ranging from materiality to complex forms. A façade will seem vastly different in shape, size, and overall design when illuminated by natural and artificial, including RGBW lighting.

Signature Bridge – Lighting
Signature Bridge – Lighting

Common façade lighting techniques

Some of the most common façade lighting techniques include:

Solid Façade – lighting for smooth surfaces with little or no texture, enormous in size and span. Lighting helps define this canvas with patterns and textures, creating depth and visual interest. Vertically Divided Façade – up-lights and down-lights are used to increase and augment the vertical elements of the façade, accentuating features like columns, fins and recesses.

Horizontally Divided Façade – horizontally larger façades tend to cast shadows of architectural features on themselves. Façade Lighting is utilized to reduce these shadows and highlight horizontal elements such as slab edges, cornices, and banding.

Perforated Façade provides ample opportunities for creativity, allowing light to penetrate through openings and create intricate patterns and visual effects.

In addition to the strategies mentioned above, other techniques like Direct View, Grazing, Washing, Accentuating, and Flooding are widely used across architectural projects today. These techniques differ from each other in terms of the location and distance of the Lighting Fixtures from the ‘subject’ wall or façade that is to be illuminated, enabling a diverse range of lighting effects and moods.

Advancements in façade lighting technology

Façade lighting for high-rise buildings and large-scale projects has seen significant advancements in recent years, driven by technological innovation and a growing emphasis on user experience, sustainability, and creative expression:

LED Lighting technology dominates the façade lighting sector due to its energy efficiency, long lifespan, and versatility in colour and intensity. LED fixtures offer precise control over light output, allowing for dynamic and adaptive lighting schemes.

Incorporating dynamic lighting elements, such as moving lights, pixel mapping, and media façades, allows for captivating visual effects, including colour-changing schemes, animations, and synchronized patterns that can transform the appearance of a building in real-time.

Interactive façade lighting, controlled by sensors or user input, enhances engagement and creates immersive experiences for viewers. This can include reactive lighting that responds to environmental conditions, pedestrian movement, or even social media interactions.

Integration with smart building systems enables automated control, scheduling, and energy optimization of façade lighting, often using IoT (Internet of Things) platforms and intelligent control systems. This not only enhances efficiency but also allows for adaptive lighting scenarios based on occupancy, weather conditions, and other factors.

Advanced software tools, such as 3D rendering and simulation software, enable precise planning, simulation, and visualization of façade lighting designs, facilitating collaboration between architects, lighting designers, and engineers. These tools aid in optimizing lighting schemes and ensuring seamless integration with architectural elements.

Lighting at Trichy Airport
Lighting at Trichy Airport

Integration with architecture

Façade lighting is increasingly integrated with architectural elements, complementing building aesthetics and enhancing its visual appeal both during the day and at night. This can involve embedding lighting fixtures within architectural features, using materials that interact with light in unique ways, or creating dynamic façades that can change appearance through lighting effects.

The future of façade lighting

These trends and technologies reflect a growing focus on creativity, efficiency, sustainability, and user experience in the field of façade lighting for high-rise buildings and large-scale infrastructure projects such as Airports, Railway Stations, Bridges, Buildings, and Heritage Structures. As cities continue to evolve and densify, the role of façade lighting in shaping urban landscapes and creating iconic architectural statements will only become more significant.

Case Study

Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham

Ayodhya

Façade Lighting of Ayodhya Airport
Façade Lighting of Ayodhya Airport

The Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport is now socially recognized as Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham which marks a significant milestone in India’s architectural and cultural landscape. This airport, inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the 30th of December 2023, resonates deeply with the spiritual and historical essence of Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram.

Lighting – Rampath, Ayodhya
Lighting – Rampath, Ayodhya

At the heart of this architectural marvel lies its meticulously crafted and captivating facade lighting. The facade lighting serves as a dynamic canvas, illuminating the airport with ever-changing themes that reflect the rich tapestry of Ayodhya’s cultural heritage. Drawing inspiration from the Nagara style of temple architecture, the lighting system seamlessly integrates with the airport’s design, enhancing its aesthetic appeal while paying homage to the city’s religious significance.

The dynamic nature of the lighting system ensures that no two moments are alike, offering passengers and visitors a unique and enchanting experience with every visit. Whether arriving or departing, travellers are greeted by a symphony of light and colour that transcends mere illumination, leaving an indelible impression on their hearts and minds.

The team of skilled technicians and craftsmen meticulously position each fixture, taking into account factors such as beam angles, light intensity, and coverage area. Whether illuminating intricate architectural details or accentuating sweeping curves, every aspect of the lighting design is executed with precision and care.

The introduction of facade lighting at the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham undoubtedly has positive implications for the environment.

The lighting of the Airport is implemented using energy-efficient technologies and controlled effectively, potentially minimising energy consumption and reducing carbon emissions. Energy-efficient LED fixtures, combined with smart lighting controls, help in optimising the use of electricity, leading to a decrease in the airport’s overall environmental footprint.

QUICK FACTS:

  • Project: Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham
  • Location: Ayodhya
  • Client: AAI
  • Architect: Sthapati
  • Other Consultants: Contractor: SK Integrated
  • Materials used for façade: Ground recessed plight (RGBW), Profile light(RGW),
    flood light (RGBW), strip light (RGBW)
  • Completion Date: 30 December, 2023

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