The London Aquatics Centre, one of the most celebrated and architecturally distinctive sporting venues in the United Kingdom, has entered a new era of performance, energy efficiency, and long-term sustainability following a landmark lighting modernization project. Signify, the Netherlands-based global lighting manufacturer, has successfully delivered a state-of-the-art LED lighting upgrade at the venue, transforming the way the historic arena supports elite competition, televised broadcasting, and everyday community use.
Originally constructed for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the aquatics centre was designed by the renowned late architect Zaha Hadid, taking its place on the global stage as the premier venue for elite swimming, diving, and synchronized swimming events. More than a decade after its triumphant Olympic debut, venue operator Everyone Active undertook a comprehensive modernization initiative to replace the facility’s legacy high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting system with advanced, energy-efficient LED technology. A critical stipulation of the £685,000 modernization project was meeting the stringent World Aquatics—formerly known as FINA—television broadcast standard of 1,500 lx Ev, ensuring crystal-clear visual quality for millions of viewers tuning in from around the globe.
To tackle the complex engineering and design challenges posed by the venue’s iconic architecture, Signify partnered with DC Electrical Supply to deploy a bespoke lighting infrastructure tailored to the arena’s demanding physical requirements. Within the sweeping, wave-like roof structure of the aquatics centre, luminaires must be suspended at dizzying heights of up to 40 meters directly above the water. Traditional floodlighting approaches, while capable of providing general illumination, lacked the high degree of precision, data validation, and targeted alignment required to satisfy the strict broadcast criteria and performance metrics mandated by international sporting bodies.
Rather than relying on conventional, time-consuming aiming methods—which present significant logistical hurdles when working at such extreme elevations—Signify deployed an innovative proprietary solution designed to translate complex on-paper lighting designs into absolute real-world accuracy. The installation brought together advanced ArenaVision LED gen3.5 luminaires and a cutting-edge Augmented Reality (AR) aiming system. This technological integration empowered installation technicians to align each individual luminaire with pinpoint accuracy, overcoming the immense challenges of working 40 meters above the pool deck.
The process relied upon a detailed virtual and physical grid mapped directly over the pool area. Instead of depending on traditional visual aiming scopes or guesswork from afar, installers utilized a smartphone securely attached to the luminaire itself, aiming the hardware directly at the reference grid. This clever deployment of augmented reality drastically reduced the amount of time technicians needed to spend working at height, heightened the overall installation accuracy, and guaranteed that the final lighting performance matched the original computer-generated design intent down to the millimeter. Furthermore, any subsequent adjustments could be carried out quickly and precisely, delivering measurable and completely repeatable results for the venue management team.
The comprehensive installation comprises 168 ArenaVision luminaires dedicated to the main competition pool lighting, complemented by 16 UniFlood Flat luminaires that introduce additional functional and aesthetic flexibility. To maximize the potential of this new hardware, the luminaires are fully integrated with an advanced DMX control system. This digital multiplexing network enables operators to orchestrate immersive, highly adaptable lighting scenes that significantly elevate the atmosphere during sporting events and spectator experiences, all while strictly adhering to the rigorous technical demands of elite competition.
The operational benefits of the upgrade are immediate and substantial. The new lighting array delivers exceptional visibility for athletes, coaches, and officials, while seamlessly complying with the rigorous World Aquatics broadcast standards that help the venue maintain its prestigious status as a top-tier destination for televised international sporting events. Compared directly to the aging HID lighting system it replaced, the modern LED solution slashes energy consumption by up to 60 percent when operated at full capacity. Moreover, the integration of DMX controls provides Everyone Active with unprecedented operational flexibility, allowing staff to curate engaging spectator experiences and comfortably host a much broader diversity of events.
Reflecting on the successful completion of the project, Mark Basker, Regional Contract Manager at Everyone Active, emphasized the transformative nature of the investment. "Having the new LED lighting at the London Aquatics Centre for elite sport is an absolute game changer," Basker said. "Everyone Active has invested £685,000 in the lighting upgrade, working in partnership with global lighting specialist Signify and electrical contractor DC Electrical Supply. With individual control of each light, we can black out the pool, introduce coloured lighting, and follow athletes during events. This gives the venue flexibility to host many more events while future-proofing the facility and maintaining its reputation as a world-class aquatics venue."
The upgrade also aligns closely with broader regional and municipal environmental objectives. Mark Camley, Executive Director for Estate and Neighbourhoods at the London Legacy Development Corporation, highlighted how the project fits into the ongoing evolution of the surrounding area. "The new energy efficient lighting upgrade is a welcome addition to London Aquatics Centre as we embark on the next phase of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, focussing on shaping sustainable communities while supporting the Mayor’s ambitions for a greener, cleaner and healthier capital," Camley noted. "London Aquatics Centre is a much-loved venue, and Everyone Active’s investment builds on its legacy as an exemplar for televised sport where major swimming events are hosted regularly. It also benefits those who use the space, from local members of the community to world class athletes."
From an engineering perspective, the collaboration between the contractors and manufacturers proved vital to overcoming the site’s unique logistical hurdles. Darren Clark, Director at DC Electrical Supply Ltd., expressed pride in the collaborative achievement. "We’re proud to be working alongside Everyone Active and Signify to deliver a lighting solution that supports all ambitions like energy efficiency and sustainability for the iconic venue while ensuring the best fan experience," Clark stated. "Given the complexity of access and adjustment within the venue, the solution installed allows for ensuring results to be measurable and repeatable. The key point of difference is how they translate on-paper lighting design into real-world accuracy."
For Signify, the project represents a poetic continuation of a long-standing relationship with a globally recognized landmark. Simon Wilkinson, Commercial Leader for Public UK at Signify, reflected on the historical significance of the venue’s illumination. "The London Aquatics Centre first took its place on the world stage under Signify lighting in 2012," Wilkinson said. "More than a decade later, we are proud to have been chosen once again to help future-proof this iconic venue with a new generation of lighting performance, flexibility, and energy efficiency that will support athletes, spectators, and broadcasters for years to come."
