Originally opened in 2011, this resort on the Cotai Strip was deemed under-performing. The client desired a complete re-theming of the entire 6 story podium façade that connects 4 hotel towers, the entire forecourt site, as well as enhancements to the façade lighting of the four towers.
The new podium façade is a replica of the iconic Parliament building in London, complete with Elizabeth Tower / Big Ben clock. Being a casino resort, the façade lighting on THIS Parliament building has unique requirements the original does not. ALL facade lighting is RBGW to allow for elaborate evening light shows timed to music.
While the fine details of the Parliament façade were meticulously duplicated, the approach to façade lighting was a departure from the floodlighting of the original icon. Luminaires were carefully integrated and concealed within the façade features, allowing for a greater expression of the building’s texture at night. This also allows for granular control zoning of the different components and layers, giving great flexibility for nightly animated light shows.
ALL themed podium façade fixtures are RGBW, controlled through a DMX system comprised of 8 servers controlling over 1,000,000 addresses. For non-show times, an elegant warm white was selected to complement the façade’s color, with a contrasting cool blue for the roof.
The architect challenged the lighting designers to create faux windows with a realism not previously achieved, within only six inches of allowable window box depth. A single row of high-output linear graze luminaires sit at the bottom of each window box. A film mimicking drapes applied to the back wall of each window box adds depth and realism. Access panels designed into the bases of all window-types (large and small) allow for maintenance.
Large “Gothic” windows over the main entrances are backlit with an RGBW dot grid, making these large digital screens, capable of displaying any desired static or video content.
Guests are further transported to London by way of three different replica light pole types, and thoughtful accent lighting of famous London icons such as the Queen Victoria Memorial, Nelson’s Column, Trafalgar Square Lions, red phone booths and a red double-decker bus. Guest’s visual comfort was priority, with careful placement of accent luminaires to eliminate glare and conceal from view.
Macau code required a minimum of 11 lux for forecourt vehicular and pedestrian paths. Modern LED optics utilized in the replica poles assured these requirements were met.
While as a casino resort operator the Client’s goals for façade lighting don’t appear to consider its environmental impact, controls are programmed to turn most of the façade lighting off at midnight, conserving energy and reducing light into the night sky. Further to that, the design itself actually limits spill light into the sky. Much of the lit areas of podium façade are comprised of integrated fixtures that produce little DIRECT light into the sky (window boxes, spire internal lights, integrated lighting at sculptures). Remaining lighting utilizes tight optics which focus light onto the features, not randomly into the sky.
