Hong Kong International Airport is used to dealing with big figures. The Asian transport hub has established itself as the busiest cargo airport in the world and processes more than 65 million passengers each year. Yet while the site continues to grow in terms of both importance and numbers, the refurbishment of Terminal 2 has enabled the airport authorities to implement welcome reductions in energy consumption and luminaire quantities –with the HiPak LED high-bay from Thorn.

(Image: Thorn Lighting)

Hong Kong International Airport has been shaped by a clear green concept, combining interesting design with a strong commitment to sustainability. Although the renovation of Terminal 2 offered the Hong Kong Airport Authorities (HKAA) the chance to strengthen their green credentials, the new lighting solution also had to meet strict lighting-design criteria. The aim was to replace the existing LED fittings with a product that could achieve the tricky task of using indirect light to ensure high uniformity and a generous average lux level.

Having already installed products from the Thorn portfolio in Terminal 1, the airport authorities spoke to the Zumtobel Group APAC regional office in Hong Kong about a suitable solution for the Terminal 2 refurbishment project. The client was immediately impressed by the efficiency and lighting quality of the robust HiPak LED high-bay. The powerful lumen output and outstanding efficacy meant that one HiPak fitting could replace two of the original LED luminaires, making it possible to halve the number of light points in the terminal. At the same time, the stable colour temperature could guarantee consistent quality by avoiding any changes in tone at the edge of the light beam.

(Image: Thorn Lighting)

Thorn worked closely with the client to develop a unique new version of the 250W HiPak luminaire. This customised product combines a special colour temperature of 5000 Kelvin with the standard lens technology, which ensures maximum precision and minimum light waste. More than 700 fittings have been carefully installed and aligned to utilise the high reflectance values of the distinctive white ceiling structure, creating a pleasant lit environment for passengers and workers when the natural daylight starts to fade. HiPak also fits the bill when it comes to function and durability. The IP65-rated fitting is protected against dust and moisture, while integrated cooling fins allow air to pass through the luminaire – a major advantage in applications where high ceilings can mean high temperatures.

(Image: Thorn Lighting)

Hong Kong International Airport was first opened in 1998, replacing the old Kai Tak Airport. Built largely using reclaimed land on the island of Chek Lap Kok, the huge site is now the busiest freight gateway in the world, handling in excess of four million tonnes of cargo each year, as well as a key passenger hub for destinations in mainland China, Asia and beyond. The refurbished Terminal 2 covers more than 140,000 square metres and features check-in facilities and a stylish Sky Plaza shopping and dining area. The Hong Kong International Airport Terminal Refurbishment Project upgrade was officially started in August 2016 and completed by the March 2017.

According to Hong Kong Airport Authority, the installation of HiPak luminaires from Thorn has helped the airport take its green design concept to a new level: “We thought that new LED luminaires would give us an improvement in efficiency, but we never expected to be able to cut the number of fittings by 50 per cent. This was obviously great news for us, but ultimately it was the excellent lighting performance that confirmed our decision.”