The Lakhta Centre complex in St. Petersburg, Russia comprises the landmark Lakhta Tower skyscraper, standing at 462 meters the tallest building in Europe, alongside the immense multifunctional complex. It was designed by British architectural firm RMJM and opened in 2021.
To enhance the iconic appearance of the building, the client envisioned three monumental multimedia LED art installations, designed to deliver a dazzling visual spectacle for visitors. The LED artwork concept is a stunning tribute to nature, inspired by fractured ice blocks and their mesmerizing reflective properties. The angular, geometric forms of the artwork evoke the dramatic beauty of the Gulf of Finland’s broken, ice-covered landscape, forging a profound connection to the surrounding environment.
The final art installations, measuring 222 m², 318 m², and an extraordinary 1 946 m², are composed of multiple triangular sections of varying sizes, folded into a complex 3D structure. Inside these sections are parallel LED lines spaced 80 mm apart, angled differently relative to the sides and to adjacent sections. Each section is tilted slightly in a unique x, y, and z plane compared to its neighbours. Due to the triangular shapes, the LED lines within each section vary in length, ranging from 120 mm to over 25 m in some of the larger sections.
The 40 mm wide and 60 mm deep LED fixture envisioned by the designer includes a carefully chosen 20 mm wide patterned prismatic glass centered in the fixture front, surrounded by a high quality mirror stainless steel finish to complement the mirror effect of the art-work. The largest of the three art-works was set behind the glass façade next to the main entrance. The other two cover both walls of the entrance hall, enveloping visitors in an immersive display of light and artistry.
Due to the narrow installation space, an innovative mechanical frame and fixture profile solution was developed to allow the LED fixtures to be easily installed and securely locked into place from the front, while ensuring precise spacing between adjacent LED lines. All power and data cabling is neatly concealed, preserving the pristine and unobstructed visual impact of the installation.
This ambitious project posed significant electrical and mechanical challenges. Through close collaboration with the client, designer, and local installation partners, a truly unique range of LED products, an efficient wiring scheme, and an innovative supporting frame and mounting structure were developed and implemented. The result is a seamless fusion of art, technology, and architecture, establishing the Lakhta Centre as a beacon of creative ingenuity and a symbol of modern St. Petersburg.
