Case 01
53-Meter Glass Curtain Wall Building Lighting Solution
Client:
Mr. Liu, Yongcheng Casting
Industry:
Architectural Lighting & Glass Curtain Wall Building Illumination
Project Background
Mr. Liu is the owner of a self-built commercial building featuring a 53-meter-high glass curtain wall façade.
When the project started, the curtain wall was still under construction. The client wanted to integrate the lighting system into the façade structure from the beginning rather than treating lighting as an afterthought.
Although he had reviewed many architectural lighting projects online, he was unsure which lighting effect, fixture type, and control system would best suit his building.
The project therefore required not only lighting products, but also professional planning, technical coordination, and long-term control system design.
When the project started, the curtain wall was still under construction. The client wanted to integrate the lighting system into the façade structure from the beginning rather than treating lighting as an afterthought.
Although he had reviewed many architectural lighting projects online, he was unsure which lighting effect, fixture type, and control system would best suit his building.
The project therefore required not only lighting products, but also professional planning, technical coordination, and long-term control system design.
Project Scope
- Product Type: Customized embedded linear lights for a glass curtain wall façade
- Control System: DMX512 external control system with master controller and sub-controller configuration
- Lighting Application: Daily architectural lighting, festival display lighting, and late-night energy-saving outline lighting
- Project Height: 53-meter-high glass curtain wall building
- Service Scope: Lighting effect design, fixture customization, construction drawing support, sample confirmation, technical installation guidance, and controller programming
The Challenge
The project presented several technical and visual challenges.
1. Undefined Lighting Direction
Although the client had seen many building lighting examples, he lacked a clear vision for how his own building should look at night.
A professional lighting concept was needed to match the building’s architecture and future commercial use.
2. Curtain Wall Still Under Construction
Since the curtain wall system had not yet been completed, the lighting solution needed to be coordinated with the façade structure before fabrication and installation.
Improper planning at this stage could result in visible fixtures, difficult installation, and inconsistent appearance.
3. Requirement for High-Definition Lighting Effects
The client wanted a refined and dynamic façade instead of a simple outline lighting effect.
The lighting system needed to deliver smooth transitions, detailed animations, and multiple operating modes.
4. Long-Term Operation and Management
The building owner wanted an intelligent system that would be easy to operate and manage after installation, including remote control and scheduled operation.
Our Solutions
We provided a complete architectural lighting solution covering design, customization, engineering support, installation guidance, and intelligent control programming.
1. Lighting Effect Planning
Using the client’s architectural renderings, we created a complete lighting concept and developed multiple lighting scenarios based on the building’s future usage.
The final design included:
- Daily Mode for a clean and professional appearance
- Festival Mode for themed visual displays and special events
- Late-Night Mode for energy-saving outline lighting
This approach allowed the building to maintain different visual identities throughout the day and year.
2. Integrated Curtain Wall Lighting Design
Because the curtain wall was still being fabricated, we proposed an embedded installation solution.
Customized grooves were reserved inside the curtain wall profiles according to the fixture dimensions, allowing the luminaires to be fully integrated into the façade structure.
To further improve the visual appearance during the daytime, fixture housings were powder-coated to match the curtain wall color, making the lighting system almost invisible when not in operation.
3. High-Definition DMX512 Control System
To achieve the refined lighting effect requested by the client, we adopted a DMX512 external control system with 16 pixels per meter.
The control architecture used a master-controller and sub-controller configuration, providing:
- Online and offline operation modes
- Scheduled scene switching
- 4G cloud control
- GPS synchronization
- Remote management through PC and mobile devices
The building owner can remotely adjust brightness, switch lighting scenes, upload new programs, and modify playback speed without visiting the site.
4. Engineering Drawings and Technical Documentation
After receiving the final CAD drawings, our engineering team prepared a complete construction package, including:
- Fixture schedules
- Lighting layout drawings
- Wiring diagrams
- Installation detail drawings
- Intelligent control system schematics
These documents ensured accurate coordination between the lighting system and the curtain wall contractor.
5. Sample Production and Verification
Before mass production, customized fixture samples were manufactured and sent to the client for verification.
The client confirmed:
- Fixture dimensions
- Installation method
- Surface finishing color
- Integration with curtain wall profiles
This process minimized installation risks and ensured consistency with the architectural design.
6. Installation Support and Programming
During installation, our team provided ongoing technical support to the contractor.
After hardware installation was completed, we programmed and tested all lighting scenes to ensure smooth switching between operating modes and accurate effect presentation.
Results
The 3 lighting modes switched smoothly and naturally, meeting the building’s needs for daily operation, festival display, and late-night energy-saving use.
Key results included:
- Seamless Curtain Wall Integration: The embedded fixtures matched the façade color and blended naturally into the glass curtain wall.
- Refined Nighttime Effect: The lighting created a soft, detailed, and layered visual appearance after dark.
- Multi-Mode Operation: The system supports daily, festival, and late-night lighting scenes.
- High-Definition Control: DMX512 control with 16 pixels per meter delivered smoother and more detailed lighting performance.
Feedback
The client expressed strong satisfaction with the final result.
The lighting system successfully delivered the balance of functionality, aesthetics, and operational flexibility that had been envisioned during the planning stage.