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Planet Retrofit lighting to preserve heritage columns
Retrofit Solutions Lighting technology continues to evolve rapidly. While our luminaires are designed to last a minimum of 20 to 25 years in terms of mechanical integrity, many fixtures installed over a decade ago are now outdated in terms of their electronic or lighting performance. However, their structural components, such as the housing, are often in excellent condition, providing a unique opportunity to extend their life in a sustainable and resource-efficient way. In response to this challenge, we have developed a comprehensive portfolio of retrofit solutions that bring older luminaires up to modern standards by upgrading their photometric, electronic and connectivity capabilities. These solutions allow city councils, municipalities and infrastructure operators to benefit from the latest technologies - such as energy-efficient LEDs, smart controls, and connected lighting - without the environmental cost of replacing the entire luminaire. One key innovation is the TECEO UPLINK , a connectivity upgrade designed specifically for TECEO luminaires installed over 10 years ago. The retrofit involves replacing the existing door with a new one that includes an integrated connected node. With this simple yet impactful change, cities can transform their traditional lighting systems into a connected infrastructure. The upgrade enables features such as remote monitoring, dynamic dimming profiles, and full integration into smart city ecosystems - extending the functionality of the luminaire without changing the core structure. We have also developed the CIRCLE LED BASE retrofit kit to facilitate the transition from outdated technologies - such as HID lamps - to modern LED systems. This solution is particularly suitable
for heritage luminaires , where preserving the historic aesthetic is critical. The CIRCLE LED BASE allows cities to retain the original design and visual identity of decorative street lighting while significantly improving energy efficiency, reducing maintenance requirements and lowering running costs. This retrofit does not require the replacement of the entire luminaire, reducing material consumption and preserving heritage. Both solutions embody our circular economy approach: by focusing on reuse, minimal intervention and modular upgrades, we dramatically reduce the waste and GHG emissions associated with manufacturing and transport. Components removed during the retrofit process are responsibly recycled, contributing to a closed life cycle for our products. Retrofitting offers a highly sustainable way of upgrading urban lighting. It maximises the value of existing assets, improves performance and supports long-term environmental goals - all while maintaining the identity, safety and quality of public spaces.
The Atomium, a monumental 120m high structure, was built for the 1958 World Fair in Brussels. It attracts around 600,000 visitors a year, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions and iconic landmarks in Brussels.
In 1999, we worked with the lighting designer Patrick Rimoux, to develop the ATOM, a bespoke luminaire to light the area at the foot of the Atomium and Boulevard du Centenaire, the esplanade leading to the landmark. With its imposing triangular shape, it created a distinctive identity for the area, contrasting with the round spheres of the Atomium. We have always built our luminaires to last, and the ATOM, with its robust materials and design was no different. In 2022, as part of an energy efficiency plan, the city of Brussels upgraded its lighting to LED technology while retaining the iconic ATOM lighting columns, which remained in excellent condition and continued to define the city’s landscape. We proposed to replace the old discharge lamps with modern LED optics. After carrying out a photometric study, we retrofitted the columns with the latest LEDs, reducing energy consumption by 75%. All 66 ATOM columns lighting the esplanade have been fitted with an OWLET IV node connected to the Schréder EXEDRA smart lighting system. By adapting the light levels to what is actually needed, even more energy is saved, contributing to a low-carbon future for Brussels.
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