Helping Keyser Center See Green

Keyser Center, a popular shopping mall and one of the latest European retail centers to install automated architectural lighting, can boast some of the most exclusive neighbors in the world, namely the world famous diamond center where 50% of all cut-diamonds in the world are traded.

Formerly a rather unattractive cinema-complex (a lack of light made it a very unprofitable location for a business), the owners agreed to retrofit the existing entrance and facade in order to draw in potential customers.

The owners contacted City Lights, a company specializing in unique architectural lighting concepts. Architect and think-tank behind the firm, Lode van Pee contacted Duncan Verstraeten, Martin distributor EVDV’s architectural lighting specialist, to see what possibilities there were to enlighten the building and its entrance.

A 20 x 30 meter glass box at the front of the building, which gives the façade an industrial look, is illuminated with 5 Exterior 600 color changers. The fixtures are hung nearly 30 meters above ground level and required certified alpinists to complete the installation. Beneath this, what were probably the first five Exterior 200s installed in the world, were placed on the overhang above the pavement. The Exterior fixtures combine to produce a stunning effect, the 600s washing the façade while the 200s duplicate the colors onto the pavement. The 70 by 90 degree lenses create a perfect wash across the entire pavement surface. While pedestrians stop to admire the lighting effects, their attention is eventually drawn towards the entrance.

Inside, the hallway is illuminated using 39 halogen 150 watt down lights, all individually controllable in order to set the right mood. Next to these an amazing 4000 meters of solid core fiber optic was installed on 28 custom made Martin QFX150 FiberSources. The result is a swinging curved star ceiling with an extreme light output.

Towards the atrium, in the middle of the hall, a 16-meter high ceiling is lit by blue neon light. In order to attract visitors’ attention on the various floors of the building, City Lights installed 3 Exterior 600 Compacts to power light pipes. The height of the pipes changes from 7 to 9 meters in order to provide greater depth. The finishing touch is given with the use of 2 MiniMAC Maestros to project resident tenants’ logos. The center is controlled by a time coded ProScenium that triggers a PC based LightJockey controller.

During the day, the star ceiling illuminates plain white with a twinkle effect activated. The halogen and down lights are at full and the light pipes are also white. When night falls however the mood is transformed. Outside, the Exteriors begin their eye-catching lightshow, a new cue triggered every 8 minutes. The down lights are turned off and the halogen lamps dim to 50%. At the same time the nearly 1400 fiber points begin a bright and colorful chase over its entire length. The 3 light pipes, changing from one subtle hue to the next, are the public’s favorite. The MiniMaC Maestros project their razor sharp images nearly 20 hours a day.

EVDV’s Duncan Verstraeten is pleased with the result and is happy to have such an impressive showroom to show potential customers. "The projects main goal was to create a customer friendly environment and to attract more clients," he stated. "Every single tenant, whether it is the fitness center or the movie theater, is not only extremely enthusiastic about the final result but has experienced a substantial financial increase in business as a result."