Magical nocturnal ambiance with impressive 80% energy savings

Grand Place, Brussels is renowned worldwide for its architectural wealth.

This memorable landmark now benefits from a stunning nocturnal ambiance with substantial energy savings thanks to a Schréder LED lighting solution.

In 2007, the city of Brussels in collaboration with Beliris launched a lighting plan with multiple objectives to enhance the square: 

-to highlight the splendid architecture;

-to create a convivial ambiance;

-to reinforce the identity of this capital city and

-to reduce the energy consumption.


The new lighting scheme, exclusively with LEDs, provides a gentle and precise white light to accentuate the architectural details of all the buildings and the intricate texture of the City Hall, while creating a homogenous light for the entire square. 

During special events, a dynamic RGBW programme can create unlimited lighting effects.
The technological solution provided by Schréder means that, without any additional equipment, the intensity and colour of each luminaire can be adapted independently thanks to a central control system (located in the City Hall). 

The energy used to illuminate the 27 buildings today is less than what was used to light 2 buildings previously with traditional light sources.

This LED scheme generates 80% energy savings while the new installation reduces maintenance costs by 4 which is a definite advantage for buildings with difficult access. 

Created by the lighting designers Isabelle Corten, Louis Dandrel and Patrick Rimoux and implemented by Fabricom, the lighting scheme is brought to life by more than 1,600 LED floodlights managed by a central control system. 

In addition to the light, a new sound system was also installed to create stunning lighting shows. Thanks to an ingenious camouflage system, the loudspeakers, which are installed on the roof, are not visible from the square.  


Customer: City of Brussels


Partner(s)

Lighting design: Isabelle Corten, Louis Dandrel, Patrick Rimoux

Installation contractor: Fabricom

Sound installation: Inytium


Application(s): Accent + architectural