Located in the lushest green corner in the heart of the city, Mantri Blossom is Bangaluru, India’s latest addition to the highly coveted luxury living real estate sector featuring high-end residential and commercial properties alongside world-class amenities and in close proximity to what the city has to offer.
Given the competitive nature of the luxury residential market in Bangalore, Mantri Developers had a vision to create a building that had a uniquely distinctive visual appeal and stood out as a landmark in the neighboring Lalbagh area. Nikhil Divekar (Lighting Designer and co-founder of AIIMS) proposed creating a dynamic lighting façade controlled by state-of-the-art lighting controls to complement the project’s upscale positioning and elite lifestyle offering.
Installing a dynamic lighting façade on a 90-meter-high residential tower post-occupancy presents significant technical, logistical, and operational challenges. Below is a structured analysis of the key hurdles faced, and solutions implemented in the Mantri Blossom project, based on industry practices and the specifics provided:
- Logistical Constraints in a Live Environment
- Occupied Building Operations: Residents’ daily routines required minimal disruption. Work had to be scheduled
during off-peak hours (e.g., late evenings or early mornings) to avoid noise and visual obstructions. Temporary safety barriers and dust-control measures were likely essential to protect residents.
- Access and Installation: Traditional scaffolding and cranes were impractical for a 90-meter structure. The team
used a suspended rope access system to manoeuvre prefabricated aluminium boxes (containing 3,200 Media DOT Go M RGBW fixtures) into place. This method reduced footprint and allowed precise positioning without
obstructing windows or balconies14.
- Structural and Technical Integration
- Custom Aluminium Enclosures: The 2-meter aluminium boxes were engineered to integrate seamlessly with the
existing facade. Aluminium’s lightweight, corrosion-resistant properties made it ideal for Bangalore’s climate. Careful design ensured the enclosures did not block sunlight or views for residents.
- DMX Signal Integrity Over Long Distances: Despite DMX cables exceeding 110 meters, e:cue control systems
ensured data integrity by compensating for signal degradation. Proper termination and shielded cables minimized interference, while centralized controllers synchronized lighting effects across the facade.
- Environmental and Safety Considerations
- Weather Resistance: Bangalore’s monsoon climate demanded IP65+ rated fixtures and weatherproof conduits. Aluminium’s durability and sealed enclosures protected internal electronics from moisture and dust.
- Light Pollution Mitigation: Media DOT fixtures were likely equipped with directional baffles to focus light downward,
reducing skyglow and glare for residents. This aligns with Bangalore’s growing emphasis on sustainable lighting
practices
Traxon e:cue’s scope of work for the Mantri Blossom project involved installing 3,200 RGBW Media DOT Go M LED fixtures mounted on custom aluminum boxes, carefully suspended on the 90-meter facade using rope access to avoid disrupting residents in the occupied building.
Advanced DMX cabling over 110 meters, managed by e:cue controllers, ensured smooth, synchronized lighting control. The system was designed for durability and weather resistance, with energy-efficient, directional lighting to minimize glare and light pollution. Installation was meticulously planned to maintain resident comfort and allow for future maintenance, successfully enhancing the building’s architectural appeal and brand presence.
“The overall vision of Mantri Developers has seamlessly come together with lighting, transforming Mantri Blossom to a landmark in the Lalbagh area. This would have not been possible without the tireless efforts of the Traxon e:cue team, and their advanced luminaires and lighting controls” – Nikhil Divekar (Lighting Designer – AIMS).
