The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Brussels recently opened their refurbished 'Balanced Senses' business, meeting rooms and conference centre.

As with all large projects, energy consumption is an important consideration when designed new spaces. dpa's challenge was to provide an appropriate response to all the criteria and not compromise on the quality of the design. To address the energy issues, low power LED lighting was used for a feature wall and buffet counter fascias and reduced wattage infra red coated lamps were used in the downlights. Also a lighting control system was installed to provide flexibility to adjust the lighting ambience and which also helps to save energy.

A combination of careful attention to detail and the minimal use of downlights has achieved a tidy ceiling. Simple accent lighting to displays provide focal points to the breakout spaces. The use of projections and integrated LCD screens into feature walls provide further visual interest.

The feature wall to the main corridor and buffet displays have integrated colour change LED lighting to provide unique identity mach or other permutations of colour change facility with light glowing through the opaque leaf pattern on the glass.

One of the most important lighting components are the decorative pendants with simple neutral shades that softly glow on the ceiling.