Project Details
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Year:2018 – still operational
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Location:DND, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Site condition and spatial constraint
The dancefloor had a low ceiling and tight circulation. The lighting system had to make these areas feel immersive and support day-to-day operation across different event formats while carrying a distinctive spatial identity.
3D LED ceiling with mirror depth
We took inspiration from immersive mirror environments and conceived the ceiling as a three-dimensional light structure rather than a conventional fixture layout. Hundreds of LED bars and mirrors extend the perceived volume of the space, forming a flexible 3D LED canvas. The active media surface comes from the LED bars; the mirrors multiply that field and push it beyond the physical ceiling plane. The individual lighting modules were custom designed and produced using advanced manufacturing techniques so they could remain refined in appearance while staying durable in a demanding nightlife environment. The tunnels connecting the two areas surround visitors with light and motion, creating an immersive transition. Content across the system can be adapted to different event and music formats, allowing the venue to move from slower ambient states to higher-energy sequences without losing its overall character.
Pixel-level control and operational design
Pixel-level control across the full structure allows precise gradients, directional effects, and coordinated looks across the venue. Because the media surface is distributed through a three-dimensional layout rather than a single flat plane, the system can alter the perceived volume of the room and intensify immersion without overwhelming the space. Despite the complexity of the structure, the control setup was designed for practical daily use. Staff with moderate lighting-programming knowledge can create, adapt, and run looks without friction.
Credits
Refractiv
Lighting concept, lighting design, lighting programming, custom addressable lighting fixtures design and build, and on-site installation.
Baranowitz+Kronenberg
Architecture and interior design.