Teesside University Digital Life Building

Project Summary

The Digital Life Building brings a distinctive architectural presence to Teesside University’s Middlesbrough campus. To give its façade a compelling appearance after dark, the project team needed dynamic colour lighting that would fit precisely between the façade panels, work with roof-only power and data access, and meet a tight budget. Traxon e:cue supplied a customised Pixel Ribbon GO RGBW system with e:cue controls to meet those requirements.

A Facade Built for Light

The façade’s narrow gaps called for a lighting solution that could follow the architecture without disrupting its clean lines. Working with the project team, Traxon e:cue selected Pixel Ribbon GO RGBW Horizontal Bend for its compact fit, brightness and even light distribution. Approximately 30 pre-manufactured ribbon lengths were tailored to the façade, helping the installation team achieve a consistent appearance across the building.

Designed Around Roof-Only Access

Power and data connections could be supplied only from the roof. Some starter cable runs therefore extended up to 20 metres to reach the lower sections of the façade. The system uses an e:cue Lighting Control Engine 3 MX and 18 Essential2 Nodes to support flexible RGBW scene programming and reliable operation. The Pixel Ribbon GO range also helped the team meet the project’s budget requirements.

The Result

The finished installation gives the Digital Life Building a changing nighttime identity while respecting the geometry of its façade. The tailored ribbon lengths and roof-fed system addressed the site’s installation constraints, bringing dynamic colour to one of the campus’s most distinctive buildings.

Project Team Perspective

“Traxon e:cue demonstrated exceptional support throughout this exciting project, consistently delivering prompt feedback during the design phase and seamlessly accommodating the extensive customization specifications required.”

Paul Watson, Lighting Design Manager, Park Electrical Lighting Design