Dynamic lighting elevates the experience at the Charleroi Dome
Christophe Borgniet
Area Sales Manager
The Charleroi Dome, officially named the Palais des Sports du Pays de Charleroi, is a multi-purpose venue and the home of the Spirou Basket Charleroi team. This regional landmark is a theatre of shared emotions, pulsating to the rhythm of the team's victories and the celebratory events held there.
In 2019, this iconic venue underwent a major transformation and rebrand. The goal? To redefine the arena's potential as a large event venue to host national and international sporting competitions, as well as concerts, galas and cultural events. To support this new focus on the entertainment experience, the technical facilities were modernised with new acoustics and high-performance LED lighting.
Following this renovation, Schréder was entrusted to design and commission a bespoke dynamic lighting control system. The aim was to provide the precision required for its various uses while honouring the venue's legacy as a mecca for sport and excitement.
The Challenge: Combine Sporting Requirements with an Immersive Experience
In practical terms, the challenge was to install a lighting control system that could illuminate the court during a decisive match, enhance a stage entrance or create an atmosphere that matched the excitement of the audience. The venue's managers wanted the lighting to be able to:
- deliver a high level of illumination (up to 3000 lux) during sporting competitions to ensure visibility and visual comfort and to comply with current lighting standards;
- offer immersive lighting scenarios using colour shows (RGB) to create specific atmospheres for different types of events.
These requirements came with demanding specifications, time constraints and the need for compatibility with existing equipment. They also had to be simple for technical teams and external users.
A Comprehensive Dynamic Lighting Control Architecture
Schréder brings extensive experience in lighting management, having worked on projects such as the Grand Place in Brussels, the Cathedral of Granada, the Aimé Giral Stadium in Perpignan and the Maverik Center in Utah.
Drawing on the expertise and creativity of our Field Application Engineers, we designed a unified dynamic control architecture. This architecture enables sports and event lighting to be managed via a centralised, scalable system that integrates:
- 50 high-powered LED floodlights, providing high-performance white lighting optimised for sporting events;
- 12 RGB floodlights for immersive colourful lighting scenarios;
- a Pharos system controller at the heart of the solution to ensure reliability and flexibility;
- touchscreen tablets and push buttons that provide intuitive interfaces to simplify day-to-day operations;
- two fixed and mobile control booths that adapt to the event taking place.
Customised Lighting Scenario Programming
Our role was to bridge the gap between vision and reality by translating the manager’s goals into a series of coherent, intuitive lighting scenarios. We provided expertise at every level, from programming and system configuration to seamless technical integration and ongoing support.
The Pharos platform was chosen for its reliability and interoperability. It enables centralised management of all scenarios while allowing third-party operators to connect to the existing system. The aim is to provide flexible control, free from technological constraints.
To meet the manager’s expectations, we have structured the programming around different intensity levels and operational scenarios for the on-site teams:
- 5 predefined lighting modes for the different sporting requirements (match, warm-up, training, etc.);
- 6 RGB event scenarios, designed to create immersive atmospheres for various entertainment events;
- customised lighting shows for high-impact moments requested by the customer such as player entrances, festive transitions and centre circles in national colours;
- maintenance mode reduces the lighting level to 300 lux for cleaning and facility management and can be easily activated via a push button.
Listening, Integrating and Supporting: A Tailored Approach
The dynamic lighting for the Dome is not just technology for technology's sake. The project was developed using a comprehensive methodology that integrated active listening, technical expertise and creative thinking. Schréder was involved at several at key stages:
- defining the hardware architecture based on the specific constraints of the site;
- analysing the existing lighting equipment to ensure seamless compatibility and operational continuity;
- pre-testing and simulating lighting requirements to incorporate future event scenarios;
- developing a technical programme that incorporates the full range of the venue’s multifunctional uses;
- on-site commissioning, involving individual addressing of each floodlight to integrate it into the Pharos platform and its associated scenarios.
The Project Manager and Field Application Engineer acted as technical advisors throughout. First, they had to understand the customer’s vision and then convert it into robust concrete solutions. They also proposed creative alternatives to further enrich the lighting scenarios.
This collaborative approach ensured the system was built on a shared understanding. By providing demonstrations and live on-site simulations, the Schréder team opened up a world of possibilities for the managers. These exchanges did more than clarify needs; they generated new ideas that led to a system perfectly adapted to the Dome’s operations.
The commissioning phase concluded with testing in real conditions, followed by comprehensive user training in operating the system. This rigorous approach resulted in a smooth implementation, providing the on-site teams with full autonomy in managing the lighting while ensuring the system remains adaptable for future requirements.
A Scalable Solution to Enhance Existing Infrastructure
The Dome project demonstrates that sports lighting is about more the light output. It is evolving into a strategic tool that enhances flexibility, appeal and the overall experience. Thanks to dynamic control and customisable programming, the lighting can be adapted to suit a variety of purposes, including competitions, training sessions, concerts, shows, festive events and daily maintenance.
Through this project, Schréder has reaffirmed its ability to:
- apply its expertise in dynamic lighting management to existing sports and cultural facilities;
- navigate complex technical and material constraints;
- deploy turnkey, scalable system that actively supports the versatility of multi-purpose venues.
Today, the Dome is equipped to host class matches, cultural events, and high-production shows under optimal conditions, all while streamlining the daily workflows of its technical teams.
By combining technical mastery with a consultative approach, Schréder modernises sports and cultural infrastructure for the long term. Our focus remains on creating resilient, vibrant environments that are not only ready for the challenges of today but are fully adaptable to the requirements of tomorrow.
About the writer
Christophe has always been committed to applying the knowledge and skills he has acquired through experience. A trained industrial engineer, he spent over 15 years working at an engineering and technology services company. In 2011, he joined Schréder, joining the sales team and discovering the exciting world of lighting, where technology and creativity converge.
Over the past 10 years, he has applied his expertise in a variety of sectors, making good use of his wide-ranging experience. He enjoys working on projects that require an approach and understanding of multi-technical knowledge that goes beyond lighting itself. Christophe is defined by his ability to listen, share knowledge, and navigate the technical complexities that transform standard lighting projects into bespoke infrastructure solutions.
Connect with Christophe on LinkedIn.