Brussels' heritage preserved with retrofit lighting
TEMPORE lanterns have been retrofitted with modern, connected technology to enhance energy efficiency, circularity and architectural coherency
In Brussels, modernising public lighting also means enhancing the city's heritage. As part of the city's energy transition, a large-scale programme has been launched to renovate its heritage lanterns. For Sibelga, the city’s lighting operator, this approach forms part of a circular economy strategy for public lighting. This strategy focuses on reuse, adaptation and optimisation rather than replacement and is designed to meet specific objectives:
- accelerate the replacement of energy-intensive light sources;
- minimise the budget impact of the transition;
- maintain aesthetic consistency of the lighting network in Brussels.
TEMPORE: a lantern that has become a symbol of Brussels' identity
As the lighting operator for the 19 municipalities in Brussels, Sibelga works closely with all the municipal services to establish operational priorities, adapt aesthetic choices to local requirements and ensure coherence across the region.
The TEMPORE lantern is an urban heritage piece with an Art Deco aesthetic. It quickly became the visual signature of the Belgian capital. Designed over thirty years ago, it continues to embody urban elegance and Brussels’ history of public furniture. Today, there are 4,000 TEMPORE lanterns in many municipalities, including the city of Brussels, Schaerbeek and Ixelles, where they shape public spaces and reflects the history of the neighbourhoods. However, the lamps had become obsolete and energy-intensive.
Retrofit solutions: when old meets new
We proposed two solutions to Sibelga to meet their different requirements, enabling the integration of modern technologies while preserving the lanterns' original design.
The first option was a retrofit kit to modernise the existing lanterns without altering their original structure. The original optical units have been replaced with connected LED modules that consume less energy, have a longer lifespan and can be controlled remotely. The blue stone mounting bases, heritage brackets and Art Deco cast-iron supports have been preserved, as these elements are integral to the lanterns' visual identity.
Secondly, a new polycarbonate version of the luminaire, TEMPORE GEN2, has been designed to replace damaged lanterns or to equip new areas, all the while maintaining the original aesthetic.
The main technical challenge was to preserve the historic reflector that was integrated into the mechanics of the luminaire. To achieve this, our teams designed a customised LED engine that could adapt to the mechanical constraints while meeting the photometric performance requirements of current standards.
These solutions enable Sibelga to maintain the distinctive character of neighbourhoods while standardising the technical components to make them easier to maintain and control more efficiently.
Controlled, connected and sustainable lighting
Several municipalities in the Brussels region, wanted to preserve the nocturnal aesthetic and reduce light pollution. Our team adapted the photometry to efficiently direct the light to the ground while maintaining the luminous silhouette of the dome visible in the urban landscape.
Like TEMPORE GEN2, this retrofitted version of the luminaire is fully in line with modern requirements. It incorporates a high-efficiency LED module capable of delivering 161 lm/W and can connect to the Schréder EXEDRA platform via NEMA or Zhaga nodes. The TEMPORE GEN2's cupola has been completely redesigned to facilitate data transmission. The original opaque aluminium part has been replaced with a transparent polycarbonate dome. This technical change guarantees smooth communication between the luminaires and a remote lighting system. Sibelga uses its own platform to control the luminaires via Zhaga modules.
Smart lighting with up to 60% energy savings
With its lighting management system, Sibelga can remotely control the luminaires and adjust the lighting intensity according to the time of day, generating energy savings of up to 60%. Street lights that once consumed up to 170 watts now operate at just 50 watts while delivering a better quality of light. By lowering the lighting level during the night, Sibelga will further increase savings. The platform also enables it to optimise maintenance operations.
This precise lighting management, made possible by the TEMPORE retrofit, is fully in line with Sibelga's Smart City approach for Brussels.
Partner(s)
Contracting authority: Sibelga
Lighting operator: Sibelga
Application(s)
Thanks to a retrofit approach, which involves upgrading the technology inside a luminaire while retaining the housing, Sibelga is demonstrating how public lighting can be made smarter and more energy-efficient, thanks to LED technology. This innovative approach is part of a circular economy strategy that reuses as much of the existing infrastructure as possible in order to minimise costs. It enables public spaces to evolve while preserving the architectural and heritage identity that makes Brussels' streets so charming and unique.
Bertrand Perignon
Public Lighting Project Manager - Sibelga
Retrofit: a circular approach with multiple benefits
The TEMPORE retrofit solution has brought several tangible benefits for Sibelga:
- environmental: light pollution was reduced as the light is directed only towards the ground, which is better for biodiversity, energy consumption was cut and the reuse of existing components meant less raw materials were used;
- economic: by reusing the existing housing, the purchase of new equipment was minimised resulting in lower costs while the significant cut in energy consumption delivers long term savings;
- aesthetic: Brussels' urban identity and architectural heritage were preserved.
