Why Project on the Building, Not Beside It
A facade projection reads as architecture, not advertising. Guests photograph it, ride-share drivers use it as a landmark, and the property earns free social shares. Because the light lives on the wall, there is no freestanding sign to permit, blow over, or repaint.
For resorts and convention hotels, the same unit can shift from a corporate mark by day to a festival wash by night, all from one mounted fixture.
What to Look For Outdoors
- IP65 or higher ingress rating so rain and dust never reach the optics.
- Adequate throw: facade throws are often 8 to 20 metres, demanding 100 W or more.
- Tamper-resistant housing with a lockable gobo bay for public-facing walls.
- Wide voltage input (100 to 240 V) for international properties.
- Aiming flexibility: an adjustable yoke or bracket for steep upward angles.
Facade Projection Comparison
| Unit type | Power | Typical throw | Weatherproof | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IP65 150 W rotating | 150 W | 10 to 20 m | IP65 | Facade name + pattern |
| Outdoor custom 150 W | 150 W | 12 to 22 m | IP65 | Large monogram |
| Crosswalk 15 to 110 W | 15 to 110 W | 4 to 15 m | IP65 | Path + wayfinding |
| Rechargeable portable | Battery | 3 to 8 m | IP54 | Pop-up exterior events |
Mounting on a Live Facade
Upward throws from ground level exaggerate perspective, so mount partway up the building or on a neighbouring structure for a flatter, more legible mark. Always aim to keep the gobo perpendicular to the wall; a skew angle smears lettering.
Schedule a dusk test. Facade colour shifts under warm streetlight, and a logo that pops at noon can disappear at night without a brightness bump.
Brightness for Exterior Use
Exterior ambient light is far brighter than indoors, so plan for 100 W and up for any throw beyond 10 metres. A useful planning figure is 30 to 50 lumens per square metre of projected area at the wall; double it near bright boulevard lighting.
Avoid These Pitfalls
- Using an indoor-rated body outside, which fails within weeks.
- Underestimating throw distance and ending with a tiny, dim mark.
- Ignoring local light-pollution rules for coloured facade washes.
- Leaving the gobo bay unsecured on a public wall.
