ColorKinetics Showcase: Kanazawa, Japan Drives Commerce with End-to-End Lighting System Blending Tradition and Advanced Technology

May 18, 2023

To coincide with its 50th anniversary, Kanazawa Port was illuminated with dynamic, multicolor LED lighting. The light displays set to music include Kanazawa’s traditional ‘Kaga Gosai’ five colors used in ‘Kaga Yuzen’ dyeing – indigo, dark crimson, yellow ocher, grass green, and ancient purple – to reflect realistic, natural beauty, a feature that is appreciated by residents and tourists alike. The magnificent, illuminated scenery has become a new attraction in Kanazawa.

The lighting installation spans 3 km (2 mi), from Fisherman’s Wharf to the cruise terminal, Tomizu Wharf, gantry cranes, Minato-Ohashi Bridge, and Gorojima Island on the opposite shore.

Each of the two massive gantries are illuminated with Color Kinetics ColorReach Powercore gen2, RGBW luminaires (now specified with ReachElite High Output Powercore, RGBW or ReachElite High Punch Powercore gen2, RGBW). Color Kinetics Light System Manager gen6 enables site users to author, configure, and control the gantries’ light shows. Power and data are supplied by Color Kinetics Data Enabler Pro.

Kanazawa Minato Ohashi Bridge and revetments feature a direct-view Color Kinetics lighting system, using Color Kinetics iColor Accent Compact RGB, 619.5 mm (24.4 in) fixtures (now specified with iColor Accent Compact, RGBW), on each of the revetments. Light System Manager gen6 controls the bridge’s light shows, powered by Color Kinetics CM-400 48V EO.

Color Kinetics ColorReach Powercore gen2, RGBW (now specified with ReachElite High Output Powercore, RGBW), Color Kinetics ColorReach Compact Powercore, RGBW (now specified with ReachElite High Output Powercore, RGBW), and Color Kinetics Reach Elite High Punch Powercore, gen2, RGBW 300 luminaires illuminate the port’s cement silo. The silo’s lighting solution is powered by Data Enabler Pro.

The “Brains” Behind the Kanazawa Wharf

Interact Landmark Controller

The wharf structure is lit with ColorReach Powercore gen2, RGBW (now specified with ReachElite High Output Powercore, RGBW), Reach Elite High Punch Powercore, gen2, RGBW 300, and Color Kinetics ColorGraze MX4 Powercore, RGBW, 1219 mm (4 ft) fixtures. Data Enabler Pro provides power and data to the wharf’s lighting solution.

The lighting for all of these locations is connected as one harmonious light show using Signify’s cloud-based Interact Landmark system. Interact Landmark enables a wide range of locations to be easily managed from a single dashboard – even remotely.

The renovation was completed in 2021, and the project has been well received. Residents and visitors are drawn to the port and enjoy the stunning light display, which has revitalized Kanazawa.

Project Credits

Lighting Designer: Reiko Chikada, Lighting Design, Inc.

Signify Team: Color Kinetics Japan

More information available here

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