The winter lights of Copenhagen

Martin Denmark A/S has been active in the architectural lighting area having completed a series of architectural projects in the months of December and January.

Hotel D´angleterre in Copenhagen wanted a unique and effective way to promote itself and chose Martin’s Exterior 600 luminaire to add an eye-catching dimension to the hotel.

Some 14 Exterior 600s were used to create a cold winter effect across the façade of the building with 8 MAC 500s added to provide a snow effect. An additional creative touch was added with the use of two MAC 600s to provide a Northern Lights effect of green and blue on the top of the building. The Martin ProScenium, a visual DMX-512 lighting control package, was used to control the system, automatically triggering the lights to come on at 4 in the afternoon and then shut off again around midnight.

The project received a lot coverage in local newspapers and was such a hit that the nearby French Embassy decided to add a wash of color across its building as well. The Embassy was illuminated throughout the month of December using 4 Exterior 600s with the French ambassador himself choosing the color combination.

For the second year in a row, Martin Denmark A/S has illuminated one of Europe’s prettiest town halls, Copenhagen Town Hall, transforming it into the world’s largest Advent Calendar.

One MAC 600 and two MAC 500s were used in each of 14 large windows, with one MAC 300 and two s used in each of 10 smaller windows. Christmas motifs and images such as Santa’s sleigh, Christmas gifts and hearts were projected onto each window. By Christmas Eve all 24 windows were alive in a beautiful wash of color and movement. Even 20 small windows in the attic were illuminated with Martin Pro 400s, and if you looked closely you could even see an elf running back and forth.

The images were "unwrapped" each day at 5 in the afternoon throughout the month of December. The daily unveiling attracted loyal crowds curious and excited to see the scene of the day.

Lighting Designer for all three projects was Jesper Kongshaug with Lighting Coordination by Anders Christensen.