A Palace in Light

Located on Bucharest's iconic Calea Victoriei, CEC Palace has been one of Romania’s most recognizable architectural landmarks since its completion in 1900. Known for its ornate façade, impressive dome, and architectural significance, the historic building plays an important role in the identity of the Romanian capital. The new architectural lighting installation was designed to ensure these defining features remain visible and impactful after dark.

Commissioned by Luxten, the project aimed to highlight the palace's rich architectural details while respecting its historic character. Achieving the desired visual effect required years of testing and refinement, beginning with temporary installations in 2018 and continuing through multiple phases of fixture placement, aiming, color temperature adjustments, and lighting scene development. Mock-ups were used throughout the process to evaluate lighting effects and ensure every luminaire contributed to a cohesive nighttime appearance.

Color Kinetics luminaires were selected for their proven performance, exceptional quality of light, and successful use on previous landmark projects. Graze Compact, ColorGraze MX4 Powercore, Blast Powercore gen 5, IntelliHue, and Blast OptiField luminaires work together to reveal the building's façades, roofline, dome, and decorative elements with precision and visual consistency. The installation is controlled through Data Enabler Pro gen3 and a Pharos control system, enabling both everyday illumination and special-event lighting scenes.

Color Kinetics products were selected for both the quality of the luminaires and the quality of light they deliver. Previous successful experiences with Color Kinetics on landmark projects also played an important role in the selection process.

The result is a refined nighttime identity for one of Romania's most celebrated historic buildings. By carefully balancing architectural preservation with modern lighting technology, the project brings new attention to the beauty of CEC Palace while ensuring it continues to serve as a landmark destination for residents and visitors alike.