Wiener Sport-Club-Platz, Sports lighting with Balanced White
Client
City of Vienna (Sport Wien / MA 51)
Emplacement du projet
Vienna, Austria
Date du projet
2026
Architect
Albert Wimmer ZT GmbH
Lighting Design and Technical Planning
L.U.X. GmbH
Photography
(c) Stadt Wien / David Bohmann
Sustainable sports lighting for flexible, multi-purpose use
combines environmental responsibility, standards compliance and flexibility
Wiener Sport‑Club‑Platz is located in a dense urban setting in Hernals, the 17th district of Vienna, surrounded by residential neighbourhoods and characterised by an open venue layout. As a result, controlling light immission was a key requirement alongside the infrastructure upgrade.
The Balanced White concept deliberately operates with two defined colour temperatures: a warm white mode for training and domestic use, and a daylight‑like colour temperature to meet UEFA requirements. This approach helps protect local residents as well as flora and fauna, while still delivering the lighting levels required for league football and broadcast conditions.
The Balanced White concept deliberately operates with two defined colour temperatures: a warm white mode for training and domestic use, and a daylight‑like colour temperature to meet UEFA requirements. This approach helps protect local residents as well as flora and fauna, while still delivering the lighting levels required for league football and broadcast conditions.
Stadium Redevelopment and Sustainability Concept
Since October 2024, the historic home ground of Wiener Sport‑Club has been undergoing a phased redevelopment. The project includes the construction of a new main stand and the Friedhof Fair Stand, the refurbishment of the south stand, and the creation of a contemporary sports venue for both grassroots and elite sport in Vienna.
Designed by Albert Wimmer ZT GmbH, the stadium meets UEFA Level D requirements, accommodates around 5,500 spectators for domestic matches and approximately 4,600 for international fixtures, and will be officially opened on 17 April 2026.
Sustainability is an integral part of the concept, reflected in the timber hybrid construction of the stands, a photovoltaic system with an annual output of around 100,000 kWh combined with a heat pump system, as well as the consistent use of LED technology and the objective of achieving klimaaktiv certification.
Lighting Solution for Pitch and Stands
The entire sports lighting system was converted to LED technology. A total of 148 Thorn Altis floodlights are installed, 124 of which operate in Balanced White mode, mounted on four high masts, additional 9‑metre masts, and the grandstand roofs. Altis G5 floodlights with a fixed colour temperature of 5700 K are used to meet the requirements of international matches and TV broadcasting.
A key planning requirement was to integrate the two existing mast locations. This was defined through a preliminary feasibility study and enabled by the modular optical system of the Altis floodlights.
The lighting system is tailored to different usage scenarios and provides several operating modes:
- Training:
Em approx. 75 lx, CCT limited to 3000 K, Balanced White - Domestic matches:
Em approx. 200 lx, CCT limited to 3000 K - League operation (2. Bundesliga):
Em 400 lx, CCT limited to 3000 K - UEFA Level D:
CCT 5700 K, 800 lx horizontal and 350 lx vertical illuminance, meeting international competition and broadcast requirements
Training, regional league and 2. Bundesliga operation were planned in compliance with the ÖISS guidelines and ÖNORM EN 12193. To comply with ÖNORM O 1052 and minimise spill light, part of the floodlights were equipped with internal and external louvres. This specifically reduces stray light in the operating modes Training and Domestic matches and supports light‑immission control in the surrounding residential environment. Zumtobel CRAFT II luminaires were installed beneath the stand roofs to provide glare-free and efficient general lighting for spectator areas. The lighting control system is managed via LITECOM.
Lighting Design and Environmental Considerations
The lighting concept was developed to reflect the open stadium layout and the close proximity of residential areas. The Balanced White strategy limits light output to warm‑white tones during training and domestic use, while providing a defined daylight‑like setting for UEFA requirements.
Combined with Thorn’s asymmetric optics and horizontal luminaire mounting at 0° tilt, glare, spill light and sky glow are reduced while ensuring precise and uniform pitch lighting.
Lighting design complies with Austrian standards, including ÖNORM O 1052 and ÖNORM EN 12193, and was delivered through close collaboration between Thorn’s Austrian lighting team and L.U.X. GmbH, with acceptance testing and on‑site adjustments accompanied by MA 39, the City of Vienna’s Lighting Technology Laboratory.
Combined with Thorn’s asymmetric optics and horizontal luminaire mounting at 0° tilt, glare, spill light and sky glow are reduced while ensuring precise and uniform pitch lighting.
Lighting design complies with Austrian standards, including ÖNORM O 1052 and ÖNORM EN 12193, and was delivered through close collaboration between Thorn’s Austrian lighting team and L.U.X. GmbH, with acceptance testing and on‑site adjustments accompanied by MA 39, the City of Vienna’s Lighting Technology Laboratory.