Illuminating Excellence: Signify’s LED Upgrade at the London Aquatics Centre

The London Aquatics Centre, London

Signify transforms the London Aquatics Centre with an ArenaVision LED upgrade, using augmented reality aiming technology to deliver upto 60% energy savings, elite broadcast standards, and dynamic fan-engaging lighting experiences.

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"Having the new LED lighting at the London Aquatics Centre for elite sport is an absolute game changer,” said Mark Basker, Regional Contract Manager at Everyone Active. “Everyone Active has invested £685,000 in the lighting upgrade, working in partnership with global lighting specialist Signify and electrical contractor DC Electrical Supply. With individual control of each light, we can black out the pool, introduce coloured lighting, and follow athletes during events. This gives the venue flexibility to host many more events while future-proofing the facility and maintaining its reputation as a world-class aquatics venue."

Mark Basker - Regional Contract Manager at Everyone Active

Customer Challenge

Beyond wanting to stand out with engaging fan experiences beyond just a swimming pool, the project faced several key challenges: aiming luminaires mounted 40 meters above the water without hazardous manual methods, achieving the extreme precision needed for FINA's broadcasting standards, ensuring installer safety at such heights, and significantly reducing energy consumption from the original system while improving overall lighting quality.

"We’re proud to be working alongside Everyone Active and Signify to deliver a lighting solution that supports all ambitions like energy efficiency and sustainability for the iconic venue while ensuring the best fan experience. Given the complexity of access and adjustment within the venue, the solution installed allows for ensuring results to be measurable and repeatable. The key point of difference is how they translate on-paper lighting design into real-world accuracy."

Darren Clark - Director at DC Electrical Supply Ltd

Solution

Signify addressed these challenges with advanced ArenaVision LED gen3.5 luminaires and an innovative Augmented Reality (AR) aiming system, redefining how lighting installations are commissioned in venues of this scale.

ArenaVision LED gen3.5 Luminaires: 138 fittings installed across 35 recessed ceiling pods deliver the required 1,500 lux Ev for elite TV broadcasting at just 1.3 kW, replacing the original 250 HID fittings and achieving 63% energy savings at full output.
Dynamic Lighting Components: 16 UniFlood Flat luminaires, paired with a DMX control system, enable customisable lighting scenes for sports and events.
AR aiming process: An innovative AR aiming system streamlined commissioning, ensuring precise luminaire alignment while reducing risk and improving efficiency during installation at height.

Conclusion

Signify’s LED upgrade at the London Aquatics Centre exemplifies how technology can redefine lighting solutions for elite sports venues. By combining energy-efficient ArenaVision LED luminaires, dynamic color-changing capabilities, and AR-driven installation methods, the project not only met stringent broadcasting standards but also unlocked new possibilities for fan engagement and event versatility. The result is a venue that continues to shine on the global stage, delivering excellence in performance, sustainability, and audience experience.

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