10 years of PANOS infinity: downlights with (almost) unlimited possibilities.

The PANOS infinity was born at "Light + Building", the world's leading trade fair for lighting and building technology in Frankfurt am Main. With PANOS infinity, Zumtobel presented the first downlight on the market developed exclusively for LEDs. It was a completely new lighting technology, which required all of the Zumtobel developers' and designers' know-how:

"The design of the reflectors was the biggest challenge. Nobody knew how the whole system would behave. But we did it: being able to see the completed luminaire at the former Light Forum in Lemgo in North Rhine Westphalia, in its 'natural habitat', was a truly amazing feeling."

- Burkhard von Kloeden, responsible for the optical design of the PANOS infinity

"Best-in-class" LED technology

A special feature of the PANOS infinity product group is the combination of leading technologies, high-quality materials and pioneering lighting technology know-how. Right from the start, Zumtobel developers worked closely with the lighting technology experts at LED manufacturer Cree. The LED chips from Cree, with their red/white multi-channel technology, ensure both excellent light quality and a high level of energy efficiency. This technology mixes light from red and unsaturated yellow LEDs to create warm, white light.

"Over the years, we have continued to develop the red/white LED technology that we used from the very beginning and have repeatedly set new quality standards."

- Ulrich Jürgenschellert, PANOS infinity Product Manager

Efficient. Durable. Sustainable.

A truly unique selling point of the PANOS infinity on the market is the luminaire efficiency of up to 135 lm/W combined with a colour rendering of CRI 90. Other advantages include the high colour constancy (MacAdam 2) and good glare control. Added to this is the longevity of the lighting solution: with a service life of 50,000 hours, the reduction in luminous flux is only five percent (L95), while with a service life of 100,000 hours, a reduction of up to 10 percent is possible (L90).

Quantum leap in energy efficiency

The development team achieved another technical quantum leap in the initial phase of the PANOS infinity. Electrical cooling had always been the standard technology used to prevent the heat of the LEDs from accumulating.

"We have managed to move away from active cooling - and thus become much more energy efficient. Initially, we used extruded aluminium profiles to passively dissipate the heat. Later, the much more cost-effective aluminium die-casting process was used for the first time."

- Heinz-Günter Bartusch, Development Project Manager.

The success of the new technology meant that Zumtobel was able to significantly reduce the operating costs of PANOS infinity downlights, while at the same time increasing energy efficiency.

Pared-back shape makes rooms the focal point

In addition to the sophisticated technology, the impressive design language of designer Chris Redfern is also responsible for the success of the PANOS infinity product group. The pared-back shape, pared-back overall height and a significantly pared-back cover ring enable the PANOS infinity to blend so perfectly with the surrounding architecture that it almost disappears into it. The result is a harmonious, consistently calm room appearance.

"We have continuously adapted PANOS infinity to new technologies on the market, constantly refining and improving it over the years without abandoning the basic design values. One example of this is the successful integration of our tunableWhite technology: we use the existing design and at the same time bring the dynamics of natural light into the interior."

- Lennart Sulzbach, PANOS infinity Project Manager

Architecture steeped in history inspires contemporary design

For his luminaire design, designer Chris Redfern was inspired by one of the best-preserved buildings of Roman antiquity, the Pantheon in Rome. Its gigantic, circular dome opens up to the sky at its apex via an eye about eight metres wide. Daylight falls into the room, illuminating the Roman temple with playful light reflections and pleasant colour temperatures. PANOS infinity also follows in the tradition of this fascinating natural light source.

"I think that light is more than just a certain amount of light. Sometimes the light gives the impression that the entire sky is falling into a room."

- Chris Redfern, Designer

Chris Redfern, Designer

Unobtrusive, but highly effective, modelled on nature and at the same time perfectly adapted to the preferences of the human eye: PANOS infinity elegantly unites these contrasts. It's not for nothing that the PANOS infinity product group has already received several awards for its groundbreaking design, including the iF product design award (2011), the Red Dot Award (2011) and the GOOD DESIGN Award from the Chicago Athenaeum.

One product group, endless applications

Whether as downlight or wallwasher, recessed, surface-mounted or pendant luminaire, round or rectangular, for dimming or switching, frameless or with a decorative ring, with varying diameters and side lengths: the wide range of models in the PANOS infinity product group has endless possible uses. A major advantage is that the accessories and tools are compatible with the entire product group. They are also extremely easy to install and replace.

"Within the first iterations, we managed to find the perfect number of components, which made the luminaire extremely easy to install and helped us settle on the definitive design. Our PANOS infinity E100 was the first model in this final design, which was then applied to all other variants. A truly long-lasting concept because it is being produced today in this original design - even though the interior is always being redesigned and adapted to the latest requirements."

- Stephan Pieper, Development Project Manager, former Designer of the PANOS infinity

From functional downlight to beautiful design accessory

In an office environment, the PANOS infinity luminaires ensure a decidedly feel-good atmosphere, support communication and help rooms appear bigger, brighter and friendlier. At the same time, they provide optimal comfort for demanding visual tasks - the perfect conditions for an innovative and creative working environment. In imposing spaces such as exhibition venues or museums, PANOS infinity draws the visitors' gaze where it needs to go and helps them find their way around an unfamiliar environment.

Ready for a bright future

"The market's demands are increasing when it comes to good light and high levels of well-being in the workplace. At the same time, our customers are increasingly demanding particularly energy-efficient solutions. The PANOS infinity can meet all these demands: sustainability and new office concepts."

- Ulrich Jürgenschellert, Product Manager

The epicentre of social mega-trends is a great starting point from which to write lighting history for the PANOS infinity product group, ten years after its entry on the market.