The new dedicated arts and performance complex incorporates Vredenburg, an original live music venue (photo: Louise Stickland)
The Netherlands - The TivoliVredenburg in central Utrecht features seven different music performance spaces and is in the process of having its house and public area lighting upgraded with Anolis Ambiane RGBW LED luminaires.
With around 300 fixtures installed so far, approximately 650 Ambianes will be in place when the project is completed.
The spectacular building designed by Herman Hertzberger was part of the CU2030 urban redevelopment scheme and opened in 2014.
The new dedicated arts and performance complex incorporates Vredenburg, an original live music venue standing on the site since 1979, with six brand new venues, all fully sound-proofed and self-contained, ranging in capacities from 175 to 2000. These include Rhonda, which continues the spirit and vibe of Tivoli, another historically significant Utrecht music club at the heart of the city’s music scene which closed in 2014.
These venues are busy year-round hosting a lively range of orchestral, acoustic and electronic, rock, pop and jazz music shows and events.
TivoliVredenburg’s technical & facilities manager Charles Konings approached Anolis’ Benelux distributor Controllux looking for a more dynamic lighting solution for the public areas. “We wanted to be able to have colour and create a nice atmosphere in our public areas,” he explained.
He and various producers regularly working there were all convinced that more flexible general lighting would open many possibilities for additional uses – with some public areas already active as event spaces - and improve the overall ambience.
Controllux’s Kuno van Velzen recommended the Ambiane RGBW down-lights.
It needed to be an LED source with energy efficiency and longevity in mind, as well as colour changing, dimmable ... and premium quality.
The venues, halls, foyers, walkways, stairwells, bars, cafes, corridors, cloakrooms, etc. required an excellent bright, crisp white for everyday usage and to meet fire regulations, and with this Ambiane upgrade, they can be totally transformed by introducing vibrant or subtle colour for special events and other occasions.
The units are being retro-fitted into the same slots that housed the TivoliVredenburg’s old compact fluorescents by the venue’s own installation team. They are controlled via DALI, and integrated into the existing KNX building automation system.
Currently, Ambiane’s have been installed in one performance hall, Hertz, a cosy contemporary space at the top of the building optimised for chamber music and classical recitals.
As the installation progresses, the Ambianes are being programmed into the house system by Roy Hars taking into account different requirements from Charles and the individual venue managers.
(Jim Evans)

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