Façade lighting
Façade lighting combines wallwashing, grazing, floodlighting and accent techniques to make a building's architecture readable at night. Luminaires should be at least IP65, and light should be directed only onto the façade without spilling into the sky or neighbouring windows.
From our project: Mosque Façade Lighting Project
What to look out for
- Revealing the architecture
- Columns, eaves, windows and domes are emphasised; layered light is the aim rather than flat brightness.
- The right technique
- Uniform wallwashing on flat surfaces, grazing light close to the surface for stone and texture, narrow-beam floodlights for distant targets.
- Durability
- IP65–IP67 against rain, dust and sun, UV-resistant optics and a corrosion-resistant housing.
- Light pollution
- Light is aimed at the façade; spill into the sky and surrounding homes is prevented and dimming is planned for late hours.
Façade lighting by type of building
- Historic buildings
- Grazing light that brings out the stone texture, 2700K–3000K; concealed mounting that does not damage the building.
- Mosques
- The night silhouette of the façade, dome and minaret; light is directed only onto the building without spilling into the sky.
- Hotels and commercial buildings
- Layered light that reflects the brand identity; linear lines along the entrance canopy and floor edges, RGB scenes for special occasions.
- Office buildings
- Glass façades lit from inside or from the frame; linear accents on columns and frames.
- Residential buildings and estates
- Soft light integrated with entrances, columns and landscaping; spill into neighbouring windows is prevented.
Mounting positions
- In-ground
- Luminaires that wash or graze the wall from below; IP67 and high load resistance where vehicles pass.
- Base of the wall
- Short-post or wall-mounted floodlights; grazing light on textured surfaces.
- Eaves and cornices
- Concealed linear luminaires giving linear light downwards or upwards.
- Opposite building or pole
- Narrow-beam floodlights for distant targets and large volumes.
Typical target values
| Technique | Use | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Wallwashing | Uniform light on flat surfaces | Asymmetric optic |
| Grazing | Stone, brick, texture | Luminaire very close to the surface |
| Floodlight | Distant targets, general lighting | Narrow or medium beam |
| Accent | Columns, domes, minarets | Narrow beam, high contrast |
Values are typical targets from the standards; in a project they are determined by calculation for the conditions of the space.
Recommended product groups
Bollards
4 models
A bollard is a low, post-shaped outdoor luminaire fixed to the ground along walkways, gardens, parks and building entrances.
Street & Area Lighting
5 models
Street and area luminaires are outdoor LED luminaires mounted on poles that distribute light onto the road surface with asymmetric optics.
Linear Luminaires
7 models
A linear luminaire is an LED luminaire with a long, slim body that creates a continuous line of light.
Application examples
Our projects in this field
Frequently asked questions
Which luminaires are used in façade lighting?
Wallwashers for flat surfaces, linear luminaires giving grazing light for textured surfaces, floodlights for distant targets and narrow-beam spotlights for accents.
What IP rating should façade luminaires have?
At least IP65 for applications exposed to rain; IP67 for in-ground luminaires.
How is a historic façade lit?
With mounting details that do not damage the building, warm tones that bring out the texture (usually 2700K–3000K) and optics that direct light only onto the façade.
Does façade lighting need a design?
Yes. Which surface is lit with which technique and at which angle, where each luminaire is mounted and how light pollution is controlled must be planned by calculation.