The Shard has already taken its place as one of London’s most recognisable and symbolic structures. Completed in November 2012, it is the tallest tower in the European Union with a viewing platform twice the height of any other in the capital. Part of the £2 billion London Bridge Quarter development, the Shard was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano who is said to have been inspired by the spires of London churches.
Its observation deck, the “View from the Shard”, was opened to the public in February 2013 and has already proved to be a popular tourist attraction. George Sexton Associates, with LITE ltd, used Pharos controllers for a comprehensive and sustainable controls solution to light the spire of this iconic building.
Networked Pharos LPCs control multiple Lumenpulse lighting fixtures within the pinnacle, and the top floor lighting is used to naturally radiate away the heat generated by the building. Pharos’ controllers highlight the fixtures within the tapering spire to reduce the profile of the building so that it connects ecologically with the London skyline.
LITE ltd also supplied networked Pharos LPC 4s to control Philips iColor flex fixtures to illuminate the viewing gallery entrance canopy. Image Technique created the moving images using an LED video wall controlled by the LPC4s. The custom content is used to introduce an enhanced experience from the ground level, and won Image Technology the award for Digital Signage Project of the Year, further underlining Pharos’ versatility in providing a fully networked and programmable control solution from top to bottom.
