Cologne Cathedral - Exterior Lighting

Over 700 discreet surface-mounted LED luminaires for the Cologne Cathedral and not a single drill hole in the historic facade. Remote floodlighting was reduced from 80% to 10% to eliminate excessive spill while 50% more surface and architectural details have been revealed. Besides lowering the energy use by 80%, 2,700 K tunable white luminaires provide insect-friendly lighting. After midnight, energy consumption is even more reduced to just 10% in “sleep mode”.

The new concept emphasizes depth, rhythm, and verticality through grazing, shadow play, and backlighting, while presenting the monument as a sculptural icon, offering civic identity and intimate detail.