Unipol Dome, Milan
Lighting Design Concept and InstallationThe façade lighting scheme, conceived by Arup and DCA, is based on Griven’s custom linear LED modules with independently controllable pixels, mounted along the arena’s three external rings using bespoke panels tailored to the varying heights of the façade elements. Each LED bar has been manufactured in custom lengths to ensure uninterrupted visual continuity along the building’s curved geometry.
In total, the installation comprises 54,560 LED bars extending nearly 50 km in length, featuring around 400,000 pixels with an extraodinary pixel pitch of 125mm x 165mm, managed via 3785 DMX universes controlled via Artnet protocol in unicast and it is supported by 340 km of DMX cabling and 3,785 power supply units.
This complex system transforms the arena envelope into a large-scale dynamic communication surface, a unique interactive façade, while maintaining architectural coherence with the building’s clean, linear composition.
Multimedia Façade FunctionalityThe multimedia façade of Arena Milano is capable of displaying dynamic imagery, text, colour gradients, animated effects and video content optimised to its native resolution. A centralised control platform manages the entire perimeter, allowing the synchronisation of visual content with precision and consistency. Dedicated façade management software enables the upload of multimedia files, live camera feeds and moving text, as well as the automated scheduling of programmed scenarios based on predefined dates and times.
The configured server operates all LED modules as a unified system, allowing real-time adjustments to brightness and illumination levels through a single command interface. Automated dimming functions enable the luminous flux to be modulated according to environmental conditions and specific operational requirements, contributing to reduced light pollution and improved energy efficiency.
In total, the installation comprises 54,560 LED bars extending nearly 50 km in length, featuring around 400,000 pixels with an extraodinary pixel pitch of 125mm x 165mm, managed via 3785 DMX universes controlled via Artnet protocol in unicast and it is supported by 340 km of DMX cabling and 3,785 power supply units.
This complex system transforms the arena envelope into a large-scale dynamic communication surface, a unique interactive façade, while maintaining architectural coherence with the building’s clean, linear composition.
Multimedia Façade FunctionalityThe multimedia façade of Arena Milano is capable of displaying dynamic imagery, text, colour gradients, animated effects and video content optimised to its native resolution. A centralised control platform manages the entire perimeter, allowing the synchronisation of visual content with precision and consistency. Dedicated façade management software enables the upload of multimedia files, live camera feeds and moving text, as well as the automated scheduling of programmed scenarios based on predefined dates and times.
The configured server operates all LED modules as a unified system, allowing real-time adjustments to brightness and illumination levels through a single command interface. Automated dimming functions enable the luminous flux to be modulated according to environmental conditions and specific operational requirements, contributing to reduced light pollution and improved energy efficiency.
Year
2026
Lighting Design
Arup & DCA
