When architectural illumination is drawn from inspiration and need, the outcome is an extraordinary design that captivates and also in turn inspires its spectators.
To recognize these innovative and creative efforts given in line with lighting design in an exceptional capacity, LIT Design Awards has awarded these 5 breathtaking exterior architectural illumination projects.
Photo credit: Matt Lighting Design Associate
With a people-oriented and environmentally conscious architectural design, Vanke Cloud City is an already impressive building in itself. Integrate a well-thought lighting display and the remarkable architecture further shines through on all four corners of the Nanshan District’s skyline.
The 280.8m super high-rise building has more reasons to stand tall as it is the Winner in the Exterior Architectural Illumination Category of 2020.
The design intention for Vanke Cloud City to be a landmark of Cloud City is without challenges as the innovative design should meet the needs while having to satisfy strict demands of lighting distribution and budget constraints.
Photo credit: Matt Lighting Design Associate
The final lighting design uses LEDs and is automated by a system that will activate or deactivate the lights at a given schedule, allowing the structure to save on energy. Another reason for the control is to prevent creating additional light pollution during migration months that will affect birds traversing the area.
Photo credit: Fangfang Lighting Design
Covering 1200 square meters of Zijinshan Park Fuyang, Hangzhou, China, the expansive lighting project is designed by Fangfang Lighting Design.
As a test case for estate projects, the structure was made on top of Zijinshan Park on a hill, following the “super flat” design. The structure integrates office functions, tourism, and exhibitions. The idea is to push the envelope for what is possible between indoor and outdoor lighting.
Photo credit: Fangfang Lighting Design
While the design aims to obscure the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, light pollution is a challenge for this project. To mitigate this issue, the structure is equipped with the necessary equipment to control timing and light intensity. The lights themselves are expected to work at least 80,000 hours, and all are recyclable. All in all, the result is a highly efficient and functional structure that is a work of art. With its masterful use of smart lighting design, the project won the Exterior Architectural Illumination category.
Photo credit: SEAM Design
From China to Bangkok, the 314m tall King Power MahaNakhon stands as the tallest skyscraper in the country. The challenge of lighting a literal giant piece of art seems to be the focus of this project. The structure is equipped with light panels controlled by software for animation, based on the city’s day and night cycle. Since the structure follows a more eroded geometry rather than the traditional beacon approach, the light panels are installed on this “eroded” section. Another recipient of Exterior Architectural Illumination is the King Power MahaNakhon in Bangkok designed by SEAM Design.
Photo credit: SEAM Design
The white scheme imitates the colour temperature of the evening sky over the city. The whole project aims to establish a connection between this and nature. But it does not end there, this project lies the ambitious goal to establish Bangkok as Southeast Asia’s design capital.
Photo credit: Lichtvision Design
The Lakhta Center in St. Petersburg, Russia, is a winner of Exterior Architectural Illumination with its remarkable lighting design using a versatile lighting scheme based on aquatic themes. There are 23,000 lighting devices, and around half a million LEDs. The versatile lighting scheme is mostly based on aquatic themes where lighting changes depending on the current season. There is a lighting scheme for the winter, summer, during a festival, day, night, and other special events.
Designed by Carla Wilkins & Elena Bayda, the project also boasts 100 innovations while saving 40% of energy. Using light intensity between the interior and exterior lighting to define the volume of the tower is an effective way technique. This is done by modifying the frame lighting and edge lighting, respectively. The remarkable lighting design also consider
Photo credit: Lichtvision Design
A special part of the tower lighting was developing the detailed concept of aircraft obstruction lights and “bird-friendly” lighting and their integration into the overall concept. The project is also LEED platinum-certified, making it one of the five most environmentally friendly skyscrapers in the world.
Chongqing Guo Tai Arts Center Lighting Design
Photo credit: Brandston Partnership Inc.
This eye-catching arts centre is located in Jiefagin CBD, Yuzhong District, was designed by China Architectural Design & Research Group in 2007, and constructed in 2013. Further improvements on the lighting design particularly on the art centre’s facade were carried out in 2018 as was delegated by the client of the Chongqing Yuzhong District Management Committee.
A winner in the Community Building Lighting category, it’s a stunning architectural piece that employs digital lighting consoles, touchscreen panels with dimmer modules, Ethernet-network, a complete installation that includes 86 boxes, spotlight equipment including accessories, and complete distributions.
Photo credit: Brandston Partnership Inc.