CN Tower stands 1,815ft tall and is considered an engineering wonder of the modern world. For nearly a decade the Tower was minimally lit in an effort to conserve energy while awaiting a better long-term lighting solution.
Following extensive evaluation, a Color Kinetics system was chosen to visually transform the Tower's appearance while reducing energy consumption and maintenance requirements at the same time. According to preliminary operation, the Tower will consume less energy when fully illuminated by LED fixtures than it did when only partially illuminated by conventional sources.
"The CN Tower is widely regarded as the iconic symbol of tourism for Toronto, Ontario and Canada, and we are thrilled to further distinguish its presence against the evening skyline," said Jack Robinson, chief operating officer, CN Tower. "It was paramount for us to achieve an energy-efficient, sustainable lighting installation for Canada's National Tower, and Color Kinetics' LED-based system proved the ideal choice. Our landmark will have a visually striking, modern new look to serve as a beacon of tourism and of our city."
The project called for approximately 1,300 LED-based fixtures to be installed within the Tower's elevator shafts, projecting light all the way to its antenna mast. Each fixture is individually programmable and can produce millions of colours and colour-changing effects without the need for glass filters, coloured gels, or electro-mechanical colour scrollers. The Tower will display various colours according to national events and holidays, beginning with a special light show programmed specifically for the grand unveiling this week.
"It's an honour for Color Kinetics to be chosen for a project of this stature, and to bring the extraordinary visual impact of intelligent LED lighting to the most iconic architectural structure in Canada," said Bill Sims, president and CEO, Color Kinetics. "This installation perfectly exemplifies the new approach to architectural lighting that LED technology allows - enabling the use of vibrant colour where it was previously impractical, while simultaneously alleviating energy and maintenance concerns. We're proud to name CN Tower among our growing list of landmark installations, and we look forward to celebrating its launch with the city of Toronto."
(Jim Evans)
