Zumtobel : Esplanade of Allianz Arena shines in a new light

Press Release

Dornbirn, 28 May 2021

01 Esplanade of Allianz Arena shines in a new light

Zumtobel Group implements special lighting solution with oversized balloon lights

Dornbirn, Austria | Munich, Germany - The lighting experience football fans can enjoy during evening games in the Allianz Arena in Munich thanks to effect lighting realised by the Zumtobel Group in 2019 will also comprise the esplanade of the prestigious stadium in the future. The extensive entrance area is now lined by 16 oversized new balloon lights featuring the sophisticated lighting technology of the Zumtobel Group and following the design of Herzog & de Meuron. The lighting group is implementing a complete lighting solution in several areas of the Allianz Arena. The special lighting solution realised during the current stage transcends the aesthetic component: it also serves as an orientation system and provides for improved safety during the games thanks to brighter and more even illumination of the esplanade.

"With decades of experience and expertise as a full-range supplier, the Zumtobel Group has implemented another highly sophisticated customised lighting solution for the esplanade of the Allianz Arena. We are very proud of this and pleased that our LED balloon lights are now another highlight for the home ground of FC Bayern, after we previously realised the effect lighting in the inner roof area of the stadium," says Alfred Felder, CEO Zumtobel Group.

Esplanade welcomes football fans in a new light

With the replacement of the existing balloon lights - designed as an air cushion construction and using conventional lamp technology - the exterior shape of the luminaire was to be maintained for the new specific lighting solution, while at the same time reducing maintenance requirements through state-of-the-art LED technology and a balloon envelope made of solid material. The aim from a lighting perspective was to achieve absolutely homogeneous illumination of the balloon surface with the LED technology, as well as providing better light and illuminating the entire esplanade. To this end, additional installations were used to extend the new lighting concept in terms of area along with enhancing the lighting technology.

Fascinating balloon light: 18 metres in dimension

The light pole of a total height of 18 metres was custom-made to pick up on the design language of the balloon developed by Herzog & de Meuron. The high point in the form of the six-meter-high balloon envelope made of solid plastic meets the highest lighting standards in terms of efficiency and even appearance of the luminaire surface, which features very high transmittance and great diffusivity. The light is consequently highly scattered, and even in the narrow areas at the pole side mounting, the individual LED points arranged directly around the pole are perfectly resolved. The light pole, which continues inside the balloon after twelve metres to hold the envelope at its highest point, remains concealed to the viewer at this point and gives way to even illumination.

Andreas Jung, Executive Board Member of FC Bayern München AG: "Even during corona, FC Bayern works intensively and steadily to offer its fans the very best. We are all longing for the day when a big audience will be allowed back into the Allianz Arena, subject to hygiene requirements. We are preparing for that time and look forward to when our fans have the opportunity to enjoy the new

02 lighting along the esplanade."

"We are pleased that we have now implemented the new lighting concept for the esplanade with our lighting partner Zumtobel, who also provided the sophisticated lighting concept for the interior of the stadium. The new generation of balloon lights made of solid plastic was once again created in cooperation with Herzog & de Meuron, the architects responsible for the design of the Allianz Arena. Modern and elegant, these lights fit in perfectly with the landscaping of the esplanade. The aesthetic created in combination with the outer façade showcases the overall architectural work of the Allianz Arena. We once again rely on energy-saving LED lighting here, making another positive contribution to our energy footprint," says Managing Director Jürgen Muth, Allianz Arena München Stadion

GmbH.

Sophisticated lighting technology

The balloon shape, especially in its own dimension of six metres and at a height of 18 metres above ground, places great demands on lighting technology. In order to be able to slide the balloon envelope onto the pole, the control electronics have to be installed directly at the pole so that the distance between the light sources and the envelope varied greatly. In the areas near to the pole, with a minimal distance between the envelope and the LED light source, the density of the individual LEDs installed was the highest in order to achieve maximum evenness; at the same time, the greatest luminous flux was required in the middle of the balloon. The space between and the dimming level of the light points had to be calculated and laid out individually for each mounting point. The solution was a helix of LED strips.

Feeling of increased security

The esplanade lighting also serves as an orientation system - guiding visitors from the parking building and the underground station and marking the service points. The new lighting will considerably improve the sense of security. There are no dark areas anymore and faces are easy to recognise.

Photos:

Photographer: Faruk Pinjo. Copyright Zumtobel Group.

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Information

This press release and the accompanying high-resolution images can be downloaded here. A video flight over the Allianz esplanade can also be viewed there. Video shot by Faruk Pinjo.

Media Contact

Zumtobel Group Press Team [phone] [e-mail]

About the Zumtobel Group:

The Zumtobel Group is an international lighting group and a leading supplier of innovative lighting solutions, lighting components and associated services. With its brands, acdc, Thorn, Tridonic and Zumtobel, the Group offers its customers around the world a comprehensive portfolio of products and services. The Group's know-how about the effects of light on people, acquired over decades, forms the basis for the development of innovations

04 and for accessing new fields of business. In the lighting business, the Group with its Thorn and Zumtobel brands, is one of the European market leaders. Through its lighting technology brand, Tridonic, the Zumtobel Group plays a leading role worldwide in the manufacture of hardware and software for lighting systems (LED light sources and LED drivers, sensors and lighting management). The Zumtobel Group's service offering is one of the most comprehensive in the entire lighting industry, including consultation on smart lighting controls and emergency lighting systems, light contracting, design services and project management of turnkey lighting solutions, as well as new, data-based services focused on delivering connectivity for buildings and municipalities via the lighting infrastructure. The Group is listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange (ATX Prime) and currently holds a workforce of around 6,000 employees. In the 2019/20 financial year, the Group posted revenues of EUR 1,131.3 million. The Zumtobel Group is based in Dornbirn in the Vorarlberg region of Austria. For further information, please visit z.lighting/group