The O2 World Arena, Europe's newest state-of-the-art indoor stadium, opened amid much fanfare in September 2008. Located adjacent to the main railway terminal in former East Berlin, the multi-purpose arena represents a major step in the revitalization of this area well after reunification. As a venue for major prestigious events, whether sports, cultural, or entertainment, it is intended to be the centerpiece of an area that previously housed a railyard, but today it is one of Berlin's foremost redevelopment programs. The German design firm of JSK Architects and world-renowned stadia architects, HOK Sport (now known as Populous), collaborated to create the technologically advanced stadium which includes a 50,000 ft² green roof. Hess Night Element columns were selected as architectural lighting instruments throughout the arena grounds and surrounding streets. The columns bring cohesiveness to neighboring restaurants, casinos, hotels, and shops, creating an arena "district" of sorts.

The multi-purpose arena uses thirteen different configurations of Night Elements to meet the illumination, communication, and power needs of various events held on the plaza. A total of ninety-seven columns in 13', 20', and special 30' heights are installed throughout the entire outdoor area, including the pedestrian plazas, parking areas, private boat landing, and paths leading to the neighboring rapid-transit station.

All columns have a top illuminating module lamped with 70w T6 ceramic metal halide to provide general area lighting. Columns installed along the perimeter of the building include accent modules to highlight natural stone features on the façade. Nine strategically located columns include security camera modules to monitor outdoor activity within the pedestrian plaza, adding an unobtrusive layer of security during markets or festivals. Additional columns configured with convenience outlets with in-use covers, provide power for outdoor events, while other columns include modules to house electronic hardware for data transmission. The project exemplifies the versatility of this modular lighting system in satisfying multiple requirements while maintaining a uniform visual appearance.

HessAmerica will be exhibiting at LightFair in New York. Please make plans to visit us at booth # 529. We will have new products on display ranging from low-level LED bollards to twenty-one feet Sierra columns with color-changing LEDs. A catenary luminaire and a wide variety of direct and indirect pole mounted fixtures will also be on display. Be sure to tell your specifiers to stop by and visit.

A copy of the new Night Elements brochure was recently mailed to all agency principals and specification sales people. The full-color, twenty-page brochure illustrates the versatility of this innovative new product, detailing the broad range of combinable optical systems for area or pathway lighting, accenting, and waymarking. We have already done several interesting projects and want to encourage your promotion of this item due to its exclusivity.

The new brochures are NOW available for shipment, so place your order if you haven't already done so. A presentation CD is currently being completed for specification sales people. Contact Wes Lane at lane@hessamerica.com to order literature and the presentation. Please specify quantities when submitting your request.

One facet of specification support you can offer is Hess international coordination. With Hess' global presence, we can facilitate specified products actually being used and commissions will be paid to U.S. representatives, unlike many other European companies. While Hess is willing to pay commissions, it is important to advise Becky Smith of projects early in the process so we can inform the Export Department in Germany of upcoming projects, bills of materials, and dates.

We are currently working on several projects and shipped a significant order in 2008 for King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) specified by HOK in St Louis. While additional coordination is required, Becky and Terry both know some of these reps personally.