President inaugurates dynamic façade lighting of Rashtrapati Bhavan ahead of Republic Day

A narrow beam lens has been used to highlight specific objects such as the lotus on the Jaipur Column and a wider beam lens to spread light on a larger area.

The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the dynamic façade lighting of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday evening in the presence of Union Minister of State (I/C) of Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri and other dignitaries.

The dynamic façade lighting of Rashtrapati Bhavan has been introduced to highlight its elegance. A total of 628 light fittings have been installed for illumination of the building. Lenses of narrow to the wide range are used on these fittings to spread light.

A narrow beam lens has been used to highlight specific objects such as the lotus on the Jaipur Column and a wider beam lens to spread light over a larger area.

Features that have been highlighted prominently in the lighting are the Jaipur Column, the dome of the main building, chattris, fountains at terrace and ground level, as well as loggia columns.

Central Vista of the national capital

The new lighting will be on show from 7.00 pm to 5.00 am all through the year with full capacity prime time lighting from 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm. With inherent dimming facility, the electrical load will be 25% during 7.00-7.30 pm and 10.00 pm to 5.00 am while the load will be 50% during the remainder of the night. Courtesy: @rashtrapatibhvn

State of the art RGB LED technology

The entire network of new dynamic lighting using the state of the art RGB LED technology with 40 kms of unified power and data cabling has central computerized control with automated selection of colour combinations, with selection of timing, dimming and switching on and off facility, individual and combined control of light fittings etc through Ethernet based controller. Courtesy: @rashtrapatibhvn

Volume and focus lighting to highlight the architectural features

It is capable of providing both volume and focus lighting to highlight the architectural features of the historical buildings, a fine blend of the traditional Indian and British architectue, further enhancing the grandeur, treating the visitors to a new feast of colours. The frontal façade, loggia, central dome, flag posts etc., will be highlighted by the new lighting using narrow, medium and wide degree beam angles as required. The light fittings have external lenses to enable change of beam angles as per site requirement. It has an inherent capability and versatility for choosing different colour themes and schemes on special occasions. Courtesy: @rashtrapatibhvn

The lights and fixtures are more durable, cost effective

The new dynamic façade lighting has a multitude of advantages over the present conventional special lighting on show on special occasions like the Independence Day and the Republic Day and some national festivals and façade lighting. The lights and fixtures are more durable, cost effective, energy efficient and environment friendly. The present lighting covers an area of 16,750 sq.mtres. Courtesy: @rashtrapatibhvn

The life of the new LED light fittings is over one lakh burning hours

The annual saving on account of new lighting of 21,450 sq.mtres of façade area in respect of replacement, maintenance and operation cost will be Rs.86.40 lakhs. The life of the new LED light fittings is over one lakh burning hours, coming to about 25 years as against only 10,000 burning hours for the existing. Courtesy: @rashtrapatibhvn