Christchurch, New Zealand

A lighting innovator passionate about his home city of Christchurch, Cawley teamed up with Philips Lighting New Zealand and Cosgroves Electrical Engineers to develop a unique proposal for illuminating the newly built tower. The challenge they faced was how to light the dramatic structure on a small budget. In addition, the project team needed a solution that would ensure passenger safety by meeting the airport's operational and safety standards.

The solution they presented was simple and cost-effective: just four Philips Color Kinetics ColorReach Powercore LED floodlights strategically placed to keep the light focused on the concrete tower, with minimal light spillage above the tower cab area where it would intrude on the line of sight for air traffic controllers.

ColorReach Powercore floodlights were chosen because of their high quality and energy efficiency. With significant lumen output and unprecedented light projection of up to 522 ft (159 m), this powerful fixture represents the next generation in exterior illumination. The LED fixtures achieve the same as a conventional HID solution that uses four 1000 W floodlights, but with operational energy savings of almost 70%.

Controlled by a Philips Color Kinetics iPlayer 3 DMX lighting controller, the fixtures display a variety of fully customized light shows that have turned the tower into the talk of the town. Kevin Cawley says the design of the architecture makes the tower a star, and the lighting is a great enhancement. "It's an amazing creation and it's already an iconic part of the Christchurch landscape — for many visitors, and Cantabrians returning home, it's the first thing they see on arrival."