The O2 Lighting System
Due to the fantastic lighting previously installed at the O2 by Architen’s Lighting Division, we were invited by Philips Lighting to manufacture and install another Pharos control system for the external lighting of the entire structure.
The client’s requirements were for most of the system to be automated but with the flexibility for easy changes for special events. As a vast number of lights were involved, we utilized an LPC2 giving us a total of 1,024 channels of control which we used almost to the limit. On each of the 12 yellow masts there was installed a Martin 1200 full colour changing up-lighter at the base, six Philips blue BendiLED hoops staggered up the mast and seven Philips ArenaVision 1KW white floodlights as a skin wash.
Also the 12 circumferential blue Cylinders got from Philips on each a Vidiwall outdoor Videodisplay with on two hoops again a blue BendiLED. For security on all legs 8 gas discharge up / downlights with 12x 2 self contained emergency Lighting units.
As well as for the external lighting, the control system was expanded further with a Pharos LPC1 controller to control the specialist full colour show lighting in the main entrance area, outside the Indigo Club, and within the O2’s exhibition entrance area, the Bubble.
The, UPS supported, central control system manages the timings of switch on effects and show programming for all these areas. With addition, a local keypad in the Bubble allows for ad hoc preferential pre-programmed settings / changes without affecting the other zones.
As most of the control equipment is concealed in a 19 inch rack mounted black box, we designed and installed a touch screen LCD controller running a custom interface which allowed the client to check the status, manually override and /or turn on or off lights for maintenance. The central touch screen LCD control system is the perfect visual portal, allowing easy control of all the lighting on site. In addition to the touch screen control system, the set up was designed to allow the client access to the interface through a secure webpage from anywhere in the world.
The control system also has an internal link with the O2’s Wi-Fi infrastructure which allows for programming to be done anywhere on site with a laptop.
Architen Lighting Division’s Christopher Rowell remarks that “using the secure O2's wireless network was brilliant because having the vast area of the Dome, where walking form one side to the other takes considerable time; it would have been a cable nightmare enabling to programme in each zone. You can stand now eg outside the Bubble and re-programme / re-set the lighting using the wireless network, or sit in the Bar and program as you sip your wine! The additional external internet-network allows us to be miles away from the actual system and still implement the alterations needed or spontaneously wished.”
Philips Lighting’s Herman Sprokholt comments, “We are very impressed with the control system, the power and ease of lighting maintenance and making small changes. Architen Lighting have proved to be a key asset/partner in the design implementation of the scheme and we look forward engaging Architen already in an early stage in future lighting or lighting-controlling projects”
