Frequently asked questions about facade lighting and lighting control

Both work. Linear luminaires are mounted close to the facade and give grazing light that brings out texture and detail – we have chosen that in about 75% of our facade projects, for example the Chinese Consulate and World of Volvo. Washers light the surface from a distance and suit situations where the luminaires have to stand in the ground, on a mast or some way from the facade, as at AstraZeneca.

Quality white light is the foundation of almost every good facade project: the right colour temperature, high colour rendering and the same tint across the whole facade. Colour is mostly used on theme days and holidays. RGBW luminaires with a separate white channel give the same high quality white light, with colour available as an option in the control system.

As a starting point we assume 2.4 metres between luminaires (CC). A 40-metre facade then needs 17 luminaires. The exact spacing depends on the facade height, material and the desired lighting effect – send a photo or drawing and we will calculate the right number and optics.

It depends on the size of the facade, the choice of luminaires and the control. As an example, a Traxon Washer Pro Mini RGBW costs from SEK 14,964 and Traxon Linear Plus from SEK 8,448 excl. VAT. Programming usually costs SEK 15,000–22,000. Every product page has a system calculator that works out cables and accessories, and we are happy to provide a complete quote.

Pro and Plus are our first choice for facades and architecture, with the highest light output, robustness and colour quality. Go is a good alternative when the budget is tight. From Martin we recommend the Exterior Pro series (Wash Pro and Linear Pro).

We map the facade and draw the gobos to fit the building. The light is cut away over the windows so that nothing shines into the building, and no light misses the target and lights up the sky. We use Martin Exterior Projection 500 and 1000, for example at AstraZeneca and Kronhusbodarna.

For small and medium-sized facades, e:cue SYMPHOLIGHT on a Core S with a DMX node is often enough. Larger installations use Lighting Control Engine 3 with DMX nodes distributed over IP. SYMPL Fusion combines dynamic and functional light, and SymphoX is for functional DALI-2 lighting in buildings. See the control systems.

DMX is used for dynamic light with fast changes in colour and intensity, for example on facades and bridges. DALI-2 is used for functional lighting in buildings with presence detection, daylight control and scheduling. e:cue systems can handle both.

Yes. With e:cue control, scenes, times and levels are changed centrally – without a lift and without touching the luminaires. Many customers add new scenes for seasons and events year after year.

A power run is a series of luminaires fed from the same starting point and terminated with an end cap. How many luminaires fit depends on the manufacturer's datasheet. The system calculator on the product pages works out the number of runs, cables and accessories automatically.

Uplight Scandinavia AB in Gothenburg delivers dynamic and functional architectural lighting: concept, technical documentation, luminaires, cabling, control systems, programming and commissioning. We are a partner of Traxon e:cue and Martin Professional and supply projection mapping from Lumitrix LM3X.

We are based in Gothenburg and deliver across Sweden and the Nordics – with projects in Gothenburg, Umeå, Alingsås, Helsingborg, Uppsala and Oslo, among others.

Apply for a business account. Once it is approved, you will see your own partner prices directly in the web shop, can buy on invoice with 30-day payment terms and get on-site help with commissioning.

Yes. We provide datasheets, photometric files, system drawings and tender documentation, and calculate power runs, cabling and control so that the documentation holds all the way to commissioning.

We reply within one working day. Call +46 73 875 44 48 or email info@uplight.se.