Four Airports chose Color Kinetics LED lighting systems for their lighting requirements meeting the twin goal of high quality illumination and energy efficiency. These lighting installations are more than a decade and a half old, and the airports are still continuing with the same. During such a long period the authorities of these airports didn’t find any better lighting solution to switch over, despite the fact that lighting is passing through continuous transition thereby bringing incessant evolution in the illumination techniques following rapidly changing technology.
Four international airports from around the world, located in different continents, opted to improve the aesthetics as well as energy-efficiency by switching over to LED lighting. They all preferred to go for an infusion of colour and light to warmly welcome travellers and visitors to their respective destinations. A cluster of colour-changing, illuminated pylons stand tall when arriving at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). In the past two decades these illuminated pylons have become a landmark for the city.
The exquisite architectural details of Haydar Aliyev Airport, in Azerbaijan, are delicately highlighted with light to capture the intricate design of this aerodrome. Checking-in at Dublin airport is a lot more fun and inviting for travellers of all ages with warm and energetic coloured lighting. Downunder, the control tower at Christchurch Airport in New Zealand comes to life and becomes a glorious sculpture with strong vibrant colored lighting.
Los Angeles International Airport, USA
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the world’s fifth busiest airport, which goes on accommodating more than 61 million travellers each year. In September 2006, LAX installed a major new LED lighting system to improve visual impact and reduce energy and maintenance costs. The lighting renovation called for approximately 1,800 ColorBlast Powercore LED floodlights to replace the then five-year-old metal halide lamps that had illuminated the LAX Gateway, 26 pylons leading to the airport entrance. The pylons range in height from 7.6m to 33.5m (25ft to 110ft) and create a colorful and welcoming experience for airport visitors.
ColorBlast Powercore luminaires can produce 16.7mn colours at the push of a button while consuming only 50W each. Since these light sources were installed four years ago, the LED luminaires have cut energy consumption by 75%, reducing annual electricity costs from $73,000 to $18,000.
The entire system runs 12 hours a day, seven days a week, and requires minimal upkeep, cutting maintenance costs from $1 million to just $20,000 annually. Since then, the airport purchased more than 200 additional ColorBlast Powercore luminaires to serve as backup inventory when older luminaires need to be replaced. Due to the success of the initial installation, Los Angeles World Airports has expanded their use of LED lighting luminaires from Color Kinetics. Most recently, 50 eW Blast Powercore floodlights were installed inside Terminal Four to provide general illumination and highlight architectural details.
Haydar Aliyev Airport, Azerbaijan
Haydar Aliyev Airport is an international airport located about 20km northeast Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. It is a busy and important flight hub for the Caucasus region that is located at the border of Europe and Asia between the Black and Caspian Seas.
In 2012, the airport’s passenger terminal was updated to make it more welcoming to travelers and to give it a nighttime presence. To achieve a contemporary look, the building was constructed of glass and covered with a metal mesh frame. This new modern exterior façade needed a lighting solution that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
A total of 2,400 Vaya Linear White LED luminaires in 4000K (now specified using Vaya Linear MP, White) were mounted on the underside of the metal mesh frame. The light reflects off the glass structure, resulting in a soft glow that brings out the architectural details of the building but is not harsh or overwhelming.
Dublin Airport, Ireland
In April 2007 the Dublin Airport Authority unveiled a new, state-of-the-art check-in facility, called Area 14, at Dublin Airport. The space is expected to accommodate approximately two million Aer Lingus passengers every year, and counts intelligent LED lighting by Color Kinetics among its high-tech design touches.
Given its location in the airport’s basement, Area 14 required a lighting scheme that would be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The design team conceptualised a series of illuminated disks that measure approximately 3m (10ft) in diameter and hang from the ceiling.
The interior rim of each disk is lit by iColor Cove® QL (now specified with PureStyle IntelliHue Powercore) – a low-profile, low-maintenance luminaire that’s well suited for the tight and difficult-to-access niches.
Approximately 610m (2,000 linear feet) of iColor Cove QL was installed across the 58 disks. Each 30cm (12in) length is individually controllable via DMX, allowing the disks to change colour in unison or independently.
Christchurch International Airport, New Zealand
One great toy to play with is how lighting designer Kevin Cawley describes the 45m (147ft) tall concrete and glass air traffic control tower constructed by Airways New Zealand at Christchurch International Airport. Designed by Paris Magdalinos Architects of Napier to afford air traffic controllers the best possible view of the airport and surrounding airspace, the tower emulates the iconic chalice work of sculptor Neil Dawson, which towers above Christchurch’s Cathedral Square.
A lighting innovator passionate about his home city of Christchurch, Cawley teamed up with Signify New Zealand and Cosgroves Electrical Engineers to develop a unique proposal for illuminating the newly built tower. The challenge they faced was how to light the dramatic structure on a small budget. In addition, the project team needed a solution that would ensure passenger safety by meeting the airport’s operational and safety standards.
The solution they presented was simple and cost-effective. Just four Color Kinetics ColorReach Powercore LED floodlights strategically placed to keep the light focused on the concrete tower, with minimal light spillage above the tower cab area where it would intrude on the line of sight for air traffic controllers.
ColorReach Powercore floodlights were chosen because of the high quality and energy-efficiency attributes. With significant lumen output and unprecedented light projection of up to 159m (522ft), this powerful luminaire represents the next generation in exterior illumination. The LED luminaires achieve the same as a conventional HID solution that uses four 1000W floodlights, but with operational energy savings of almost 70%. Source: Color Kinetics
