Rising prominently above its surroundings, the former chair and furniture factory chimney has long been an important visual reference point for the local community. While the structure is highly recognisable during the day, its presence was largely lost after dark. The aim of the new lighting project was not only to highlight the chimney’s architectural form, but also to give it a renewed identity as a symbol of local heritage and pride during the evening hours.

The lighting design called for subtle, high-quality illumination that could enhance the vertical structure without overwhelming the surrounding environment. In addition to a refined everyday appearance, the system also needed the flexibility to support dynamic colour scenes for special events, local celebrations and commemorative moments throughout the year.

LRS Solutions were appointed to deliver the lighting control system for the project and worked closely with LumenRadio and other stakeholders to ensure the solution met both creative and practical requirements, including navigating the challenges that come with cabling restrictions in heritage spaces. To achieve this, Pharos Expert was selected as the core lighting control platform. Developed as a straightforward, reliable and “set and forget” solution, Expert provides a powerful yet user-friendly approach to architectural lighting control.

A key requirement was the ability to manage dynamic RGBW lighting while maintaining simplicity in operation and long-term reliability. Expert enabled the project team to programme both static white and colour-changing scenes from a single controller, ensuring seamless transitions between everyday lighting and more expressive settings for special occasions. Time-based scheduling allows the chimney lighting to automatically adapt to dusk, night-time and seasonal changes, while maintaining energy-efficient operation.

Johan Burggraf, Manager Projects & Services at LRS, said: “This project was about respecting the character of the chimney while giving it a new role within the town at night. With Pharos Expert, we were able to create a control solution that is robust, easy to manage and flexible enough to support both subtle architectural lighting and dynamic colour scenes. It gives the municipality complete confidence that the installation will perform reliably for years to come.”

The system has been designed to require minimal day-to-day intervention, with intuitive control options available when manual adjustment is needed. This ensures that the chimney can quickly and easily respond to local events, while remaining visually consistent during normal evenings.

Bas Hoksbergen, Business Development Director at Pharos Architectural Controls, shared: “This project is a great example of how thoughtful lighting control can enhance a structure’s identity without overcomplicating the technology behind it. Expert delivered exactly what was needed - reliable control, creative flexibility and ease of use. We’re delighted to see the chimney in Oirschot given a new presence at night, celebrating its history while looking firmly to the future.”

With its new lighting control system in place, the Oirschot chimney has been re-established as a distinctive night-time feature. The project demonstrates how carefully considered lighting and control can transform an existing structure into a meaningful and adaptable part of the public realm, combining heritage, technology and community in a single illuminated landmark.

For more information, please visit: www.pharoscontrols.com