Liège-Guillemins train station
Upgrade the conventional lighting in this technically challenging environment with LED luminaires
Liège-Guillemins station, which is operated by the SNCB, is a true multimodal hub. It is one of the busiest stations in Wallonia and a major national and international railway junction.
Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava Valls, the new station was inaugurated in September 2009. An architectural feat, it is resolutely modern, boasting a majestic glass and metal dome. The impressive architecture of the station has become a true symbol of the Cité Ardente, attracting many tourists.
To accentuate the building's architecture when it was built, Calatrava designed indirect lighting. To avoid detracting from the structure, he wanted the luminaires fitted with traditional discharge lamps to be housed in boxes that would render them virtually invisible.
While this lighting configuration met the architect's goal of discretion, it made maintenance more complicated. Traditional discharge lamps require regular replacement. As the luminaires were difficult to access, replacing them was rather challenging.
In 2021, SNCB officials decided to replace the existing lighting with LED luminaires to provide a system that would:
- have a long life span and be easy to maintain;
- reduce energy consumption by at least 15%;
- increase the luminance levels;
- blend discreetly into the existing structure.
Schréder, which had previously supplied the lighting for the esplanade in front of the station in 2014, was commissioned for this new project.
Photometric expertise to meet the challenges
The project began with a photometric study, for which the design team created a 3D model of the station. They then designed the optimal lighting solution taking into account three key factors:
- using only indirect lighting to achieve the required lighting levels;
- the steel and glass structure as it influences the reflection of light;
- luminaires that could be integrated into the housings of the old HID fixtures.
Customer
Partner(s)
Application(s)
It was a real challenge to align the 3D simulations with the actual reality of the lighting ambiance on the glass roof and platforms.
TAG luminaires were proposed for the boxes on the platforms' technical masts. This luminaire has a compact and robust design that minimises installation constraints and ensures the optical units take up minimal space. In addition, different mounting options are also available to optimise the direction of the light output.
Four OMNISTAR luminaires were recommended for each lift taking passengers from the concourse to the platforms. Featuring the latest cutting-edge technology, the OMNISTAR provides efficient, energy-saving lighting with low maintenance requirements. This luminaire offers the perfect balance of high luminous flux with the appropriate photometric distribution.
The CONTILED was chosen to replace the luminaires above the display screens and ticket vending machines located on the footbridges. The integration required a compact, linear luminaire. The CONTILED is also equipped with photometric engines comprising a modular number of LEDs, providing a wide range of light outputs. Another advantage is the range of available optics, which ensure light distributions perfectly suited to the project's specific requirements.
From concept to on-site implementation
Once the customer had approved the lighting design and luminaires, we conducted a pre-installation test. We provided the installer with samples of each luminaire to visualise the final result in terms of integration and aesthetics, and to confirm that the new luminaires would fit into the housings of the old fixtures.
After the customer approved this phase, all the luminaires were installed and their precise angle was determined. Each luminaire is mounted on a structure that allows for specific angle adjustment to achieve the desired level of lighting and uniformity.
The success of this project depended on carefully selecting the right lighting solutions. They had to integrate seamlessly into the existing structures - a task made more challenging by the requirement to use high-power LED luminaires for the indirect lighting. This put our design office's modelling expertise and ability to define the right parameters to the test. However, collaborating with experts in the field and drawing on the installer's expertise enabled us to overcome this technical challenge. Every achievement is the result of human endeavour.
This new lighting solution provides SNCB with a sustainable and energy-efficient installation that preserves the architectural integrity of the structure while showcasing it beautifully.
The Schréder teams are particularly proud to have risen to this technical challenge, using their expertise to illuminate this iconic Liège landmark.
