Rzeszów, Poland, is a lively city in which academics, students, business, and politics thrive. In 2009, the progressive city showcased its commitment to innovation and development through the grand opening of "Nowy Swiat", (New World), a modern, four-story mall with around 100 retail stores including cafés, restaurants, a fitness club and a bowling alley. The mall is distinguished by the application of modern architectural solutions and innovative technologies, but perhaps the most stunning feature of the modern building is its winding façade clad in brilliant color-changing lights from Color Kinetics.
A unique combination of woven stainless steel mesh and rope span the huge 12 m- (40 ft) high, 210 m- (700 ft) long façade, providing lighting designer Andrzej Wiórek with a shiny surface to shroud with a "luminous veil" of thousands of colored lights, an enticing prospect for prospective shoppers — and consequently, mall management. "In the case of large shopping malls, an innovative method of illumination attracts customers," said Wiórek.
The administrators of Nowy Swiat chose an LED lighting system from Color Kinetics because of its ability to infuse uniform, color-changing light across the expansive installation that encourages people to visit the center. There were 156 ColorGraze Powercore luminaires (now specified with
ColorGraze IntelliHue Powercore) installed on a lighting grid rimming the base of the façade, suffusing the massive structure with vibrant color. Coupled with a Light System Manager (now specified with iPlayer 4) controller, the dynamic installation produces dazzling color effects, including its signature look: slowly rippling ribbons of rainbow-colored light.
