Tower of Osaka Castle, Japan
A groundbreaking project to upgrade the lighting at the historic Tower of Osaka Castle in Japan has resulted in a breathtaking transformation.
The castle’s tower, constructed in the late 1500s, just two years after Osaka Castle’s completion, was destroyed by fire in 1615 and once more in 1665. The tower that stands today, restored in 1931, has emerged as a top destination for visitors to Osaka, particularly for its stunning view of the city from the eighth-floor observation deck.
In the 1990s, extensive renovations were undertaken to address the tower’s aging condition and enhance its ability to withstand earthquakes. During this renovation, a new lighting design, carefully crafted to honor the castle’s historical significance, was developed by renowned lighting expert Motoko Ishii.
In 2023, the latest phase of the project involved replacing the existing floodlights with LED technology to offer more control over the lighting. Architainment Inc, a leading provider of architectural and commercial lighting solutions in Japan, took charge of the project, choosing Pharos Architectural Controls for the upgrade’s control systems and Pharos Designer LPC (Lighting Playback Controller) for the lighting control.
The goal of this phase was to lower the castle’s energy use and operational expenses, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The switch to LED technology, known for its energy efficiency and lower power demands, meant fewer lighting fixtures were needed to light the stone walls, further reducing energy and costs. This project also improved the castle’s nighttime appearance and led to a significant decrease in its annual energy consumption by about 85%, along with a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 41 tonnes. Moreover, the integration of IoT lighting technology through cloud computing systems was introduced to enhance the castle’s management, maintenance, and energy usage reporting capabilities.
The LED upgrade was designed to provide a lighting scheme that was both attractive to both locals and tourists, while staying true to the castle’s original design ethos. This was achieved through the use of full-color LED lighting solutions from Lumenpulse, which were supplied and installed by Architainment Inc and controlled by the Pharos Designer LPC 1. This innovative lighting system allowed the tower to be admired even at night, making it an even more popular attraction as darkness fell.
The project also features a Pharos Cloud portal, allowing for full device interoperability and access – anywhere in the world. The system also integrates a backup redundancy controller that will switch over in the unlikely event of a fault.
Tony Symms, Regional Manager at Pharos Architectural Controls, said: “The Tower of Osaka Castle has such a rich history, and Pharos is proud to now be part of its future. The use of colour LEDs, controlled by our award-winning Designer LPC is a fantastic combination; illuminating the structure, showcasing its architecture, and creating a beautiful atmosphere at night.”
Kengo Hayashida, CEO of Architainment Inc, added: “Osaka has a proud heritage, and the Castle Tower is an integral part of this. By improving the existing lighting scheme through the use of LED technology and control solutions from Pharos Architectural Controls, we have been able to deliver significant savings, cost reduction and an improved aesthetic that still remains true to the original lighting design.”
Mr Hayashida from Architainment Inc added: “This is an incredibly impressive result, achieved through the collaborative approach of all partners and stakeholders, alongside the utilisation of the best technology available.”
Lighting Designer: MOTOKO ISHII
Original Lighting Design and Design Supervision for renewal: MOTOKO ISHII LIGHTING DESIGN INC
Lead Contractor: Architainment Japan
Controls: Pharos Architectural Controls
LED Solutions: Lumenpulse
Image Credits: www.pharoscontrols.com Architainment Inc