Porta Susa Station, Turin, Italy

Porta Susa has become Turin’s main station for regional, national and international rail traffic, transporting both passengers and freight.

Considered as strategically important from an international perspective, the station is a stop for the east-bound Paris-Turin high speed TGV train, and forms a key part of a vast plan to revitalize the city. So when the lighting of the station came under review it was felt that only the best cutting edge LED technology was appropriate for a project of this scale.

Under direction from the client Astaldi, with aesthetic integration from architect Giovanni Bucchimuzzo and led by the renowned international installation contractor, Sifel, the station has been entirely re-lit using a total of 60,000 LEDs, making it the first station to be lit entirely using LED technology. The new lighting comprises Neos LED floodlights, both inside and outside the station, as well as an astounding 3300 metres of specially designed linear Astral profiles, that are either recessed in the ceiling or suspended above the platforms. Each 5.5m profile comprises 3 luminaires, with each made up of 30 1.2W LEDs. The profiles also incorporate the stations loudspeaker system and surveillance cameras, as well 3 power supplies for general, emergency and safety lighting. Marker lighting along the platforms with amber coloured LEDs ensure safety for the visually impaired.

The access and entrance roads to the station as well as ‘relaxation areas’ with seats are also illuminated using Neos 1 & 2 LED luminaires on Tekton columns. The concept will be extended to another transit station, Rebaudengo, where a 2200 metre linear LED system is planned.

The design was focused on 3 main objectives. Firstly, significant energy savings- found to be 45% less than a comparative metal halide installation, saving 714,000 kWh per year, equivalent to 540 tonnes of CO₂. Secondly, with the station 10 metres beneath the street it would usually be necessary to close the site for maintenance and repair work resulting in a substantial loss of income. The long lifetime and reliability of the LEDs used drastically reduces the maintenance needed and the costs associated. And finally, the quality of the lighting. The design was firmly focused on ensuring both safety and performance but also creating a welcoming comfortable space for travelers, enhancing the architectural and visual context. The result of these efforts has been described as one of the urban works of our time, a building that successfully combines of aesthetics, function and environmental sustainability.

Client: Astaldi

Architect: Giovanni Bucchimuzzo

Installation: Sifel

Lighting: Aquila (a Schreder Group Company)