Exterior illumination at Slovenia’s Pivovarna Union Brewery simply intoxicating
March 16, 2001
Founded in 1864, the Pivovarna Union Brewery in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana has a long and storied tradition yet is actually one of the most modern in Europe.
Wanting to create a sophisticated architectural illumination that coordinates with the company’s high-tech image, the brewery chose to add a dramatic wash of color to its main building, an illumination plan that would add aesthetically to the surroundings as well. The basic intention of the exterior lighting was more than to simply bring the building out of the dark.
Together with his marketing team, Union Brewery General Manager Mitja Lavric developed an illumination concept whose idea was to create a way for the brewery to interact in a fun and lively way with the city of Ljubljana.
A row of 43 Martin Exterior 600s (19 with wide angle lenses) were placed along the huge 2400 m2 glass façade wall of the brewery to project an enormous wash of color. They are fronted by a row of 40 MAC 500s in MAC Domes, which provide a variety of pattern projections. For special projection of logos, slide pictures and gobos, 4 PAL 1200 FXs in MAC Domes are positioned near the corners of the building and are designated for special presentations.
Martin’s Slovenian distributor Solicom Inzeniring d.o.o. supplied all lighting and were responsible for the complete installation. Project design was carried out by Peter Babosek of Solicom and Alessandro Fantin from Martin Italy with Gerald Von Tongeren creating visual image renderings on the Martin ShowDesigner.
The technical requirements for the installation were respected completely in order to gain an optimal final result. For instance, the glass for the huge facade was chosen only after tests were made at the glass production facility with the Martin MAC 500.
The illumination project has been a huge success, both for the Union Brewery and for the city of Ljubljana. Besides being an unavoidable eye-catcher, the illumination can be used to cheer on sportsmen playing in the hall across the street, help citizens get into the holiday spirit, or honor special occasions, thus enabling the citizens of Ljubljana to enjoy a unique cosmopolitan atmosphere. One of the more unique lighting effects includes a wash of yellow color on the bottom half of the building fading to white at the top, simulating a glass of beer with a white frothy top.