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London Light Beam Mystery Solved at LiGHT 25: KVANT’s Architect W1500B Turns the Capital’s Skyline into a Spectacle

UK – Londoners looking skyward on the evening of the 19th of November were met with an unexpected and captivating sight: a brilliant, razor-sharp beam of light piercing the night sky and reaching far beyond the city. The phenomenon quickly sparked speculation across social media and local news, with the source of the display now being fully revealed.

The light installation marked the opening of LiGHT 25, the UK’s largest exhibition dedicated to architectural, technical and decorative lighting, held at the Business Design Centre in Islington. Returning for its two-day showcase, the event brought together over 200 exhibitors and thousands of lighting designers, architects, specifiers and manufacturers from around the world. This year, LiGHT 25 successfully extended its presence well beyond the exhibition hall.

The dramatic skyline display was created by KVANT, the world-renowned manufacturer behind some of the most powerful and precise laser systems used in entertainment, public art and global events.

For LiGHT 25, KVANT deployed its Architect W1500B: a super-powered, full-colour static laser beam projector outputting 1,500 watts of laser light. In the entertainment and installation sector, it is arguably the most powerful commercially available unit of its kind.

Engineered for permanent illumination of skyscrapers and monuments or for short-term major events, the projector delivers a uniquely visible, static beam with a full 360° field of view. Its scale and clarity made it possible for the LiGHT 25 beam to be spotted from extraordinary distances, with sightings reported as far away as Calais, France.

With a fixture this powerful, safety was paramount. Because the Architect W1500B is a static beam rather than a moving one, risks to the public are significantly reduced, but it must be mounted securely, positioned out of reach and expertly guided.

KVANT worked closely with the LiGHT 25 production team and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to ensure full compliance. Through advanced atmospheric modelling, precise optics and meticulous alignment, technicians delivered a display that was visually stunning yet fully controlled and safe for use in dense urban airspace.

The beam ran throughout the opening night of the show, quickly becoming a focal point of conversation among attendees, London residents and curious onlookers. Social platforms, quite literally lit up with photos and videos capturing the installation, generating significant media attention and “what is that light?” speculation across the capital.

According to organisers, that impact was entirely intentional.

Helen Ankers, [d]arc thoughts programme director of LiGHT 25 said, “KVANT’s beam was the perfect symbol for this year’s show. It expressed exactly what LiGHT 25 represents: ambition, innovation, imagination and the ability of cutting-edge technology to inspire. Watching London look up together was a proud moment for the lighting community.”

Martin Pelikán of KVANT added: “Our goal was to create a moment of pure visual excitement. Something that would spark curiosity and represent the creative energy of the lighting industry. The Architect W1500B is uniquely capable of achieving this impact with exceptional efficiency and minimal environmental footprint.”

Part of what made the installation so impressive was its efficiency. To recreate a similar effect using conventional lighting equipment, dozens of fixtures would be required, consuming far more power. The Architect W1500B achieves the same visibility as a single unit with remarkable economy.

Its light source also boasts a guaranteed lifespan of 20,000 hours, significantly outlasting comparable technologies intended for outdoor landmark illumination.

This ambitious installation served as the unofficial beacon of LiGHT 25’s expanded programme, which included live demonstrations, sustainability-focused discussions, product and solution showcases and the latest advances in illumination.

The beam overhead acted as a ‘luminous marker’, guiding professionals toward the venue and symbolising the event’s overarching theme: Where lighting and design unite.

As the exhibition wrapped up, organisers confirmed that planning for LiGHT 26, taking place on the 18th and 19th of November 2026, is already well underway, with expectations high for even more unforgettable moments.

photo: NLM Photography

26th November 2025

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