Experience

New facade lighting for Antwerp Opera House

Posted by Timothy on

Last week, the City of Antwerp inaugurated the new architectural lighting of the Antwerp Opera House. The customizable LED lighting makes the monumental building stand out even better.

The Via Sinjoor – the axis linking the station to the Scheldt – has a new light point. After the Antwerp-Central Railway Station, the City Hall, the Cathedral and Het Steen, the Antwerp Opera House is now also in the spotlight.

The new night scene creates an attractive and inviting atmosphere. The facade lighting stimulates the curiosity of the casual passer-by. At the same time, it increases the feeling of safety not only on Operaplein, but also on the adjacent Franklin Rooseveltplaats and Van Ertbornstraat.

Layered lighting design

The lighting design by design agency Architecture Radiance35 consists of several layers.

  • Light points on the facade accentuate the vertical elements and a number of well-chosen details.
  • Lighting on the window frames and in the loggia add depth and drama to the lighting image.
  • A number of sharply defined theater spotlights, aimed at the stairs and the square, invite passers-by to become acquainted with the cultural offerings of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen.
  • A soft veil of light, coming from spotlights from a distance, makes it a balanced whole.
New lights for Antwerp Opera House.

Adjustable lighting

A smart lighting computer in combination with recent, energy-efficient LED lighting makes it possible to program different lighting scenarios. During the busy morning and evening rush hours, a bright, intense light shines in different shades of white. 

Later in the evening the installation dims, just like at Het Steen and Antwerp Central station. At events, Opera Ballet Flanders can create more high-contrast light images with subtle color accents.

Alderman for Public Domain Erica Caluwaerts (OL-A): “The Palais Garnier in Paris, Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Vienna State Opera in Austria. Every major city has an opera house to be proud of, including Antwerp. Where the beautiful building of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen previously disappeared behind a wall of cars and could only rely on street lighting, its unique aspects are now highlighted again thanks to the bright architectural lighting. The fact that we have another light point with Opera Antwerp, on top of Antwerp Central station, the town hall, the cathedral and Het Steen, is thanks to the general Lighting Plan in the city of Antwerp in which we illuminate our city in a coherent and sustainable way. ”

This project was realized through an intense collaboration between Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, the City of Antwerp, grid operator Fluvius, design agency Radiance35 and contractor LightInfra.

Jan Raes, general director of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen: “From the beginning in 1907, the Antwerp opera has been a beacon of innovation, both artistically and technically. After all, the opera building was one of the first theaters in our country to use electricity. Not only with the lighting in the corridors, the foyer and on stage, but also in the dressing rooms. The sustainable lighting plan that the city developed for us is the next chapter in that story the city hall, the Antwerp Central station, the Steen and the cathedral, the Opera now radiates after dusk and we can be proud of that. It is a bridge with the past, illuminated for the future.”

Lighting plan

The City of Antwerp approved its general Lighting Plan in 2012 with a vision of coherent and sustainable lighting for the different parts of the city. 

This plan is based on three layers: the basic lighting in the different zones of the city, the lighting of the structural axes and the mood lighting. The third layer includes buildings, monuments and special views that enhance the atmosphere in the living environment. 

This includes the Opera House. More information about the Lighting Plan can be found at www.antwerpenmorgen.be.

On the look of Antwerp