Austria - Stefaniensaal, a concert hall in Graz, Austria, has recently enhanced its lighting system with the installation of Elation’s Fuze Pendant downlighting fixtures. This upgrade was successfully implemented by PKE, with the lighting solutions specifically tailored to meet the needs of the historic venue.
Stefaniensaal, located in the heart of Graz’s Congress Centre is celebrated for its architecture and acoustics, including a magnificent pipe organ, making it one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world. The hall, which has a capacity of 1,100, is home to the city’s Recreation Orchestra.
Hosting a wide range of events, from classical concerts and balls to conferences, congresses and presentations, the hall required a lighting solution that was not only versatile but also sensitive to the historic and aesthetic features of the space. PKE GmbH, an expert in media and technical installations, delivered the sophisticated solution.
PKE’s Graz branch was responsible for the overall coordination and successful execution of the lighting project, ensuring seamless integration with the hall’s existing infrastructure. In collaboration with NFMedia, which supported the project in planning and product selection, PKE upgraded the hall’s lighting system to meet modern energy and performance standards while preserving the integrity of the venue’s rich history.
With energy savings an ever-important consideration, coupled with the increasing difficulty in finding replacement bulbs for halogen spotlights and lighting conditions that were too dim for many types of events, the decision was made to make the upgrade. A fixture demo with the Fuze Pendant was conducted on-site, primarily to ensure that the beam angle was optimal.
The Fuze Pendant system, selected for its fanless design, LED efficiency, and interchangeable lenses, was chosen to replace the venue’s old 500W halogen spotlights. The Fuze fixtures not only provide energy savings – each fixture has a max power consumption of only 230W while producing a fraction of the heat of a traditional halogen system – but also offer high light output and maintenance-free operation, allowing for greater flexibility and enhanced creativity in lighting design for various events.
As is often the case in historically old buildings, wiring was an issue to be tackled. The existing dimmers were no longer needed, a fixed power line was laid, and DMX was installed, as it had not been necessary in this location before. Elektro Friebe was responsible for the electrical installation.
With the installation of 44 Fuze Pendant fixtures (light throw is 12m) the lighting upgrade has vastly improved the illumination of the audience area, achieving a uniform light level of 500 lux, while also offering dynamic colour-changing capabilities to suit a variety of events. The first event using the new lighting system, a dance ball, was held in mid-January, just one day after commissioning, and the client was extremely satisfied with the results.
