ETC Lighting Technology Enhances Theater St. Gallen’s Historic Charm and Modern Functionality

Following a comprehensive three-year renovation, Theater St. Gallen now features a state-of-the-art lighting system. The LED upgrade, implemented by ETC partner Electric Claudio Merlo (ECM), perfectly complements the venue’s unique design. Built in 1968 by renowned architect Claude Paillard, the hexagonal structure is both architecturally spectacular and a protected historic landmark. “We couldn’t alter any dimensions, like ceiling cutouts, due to the building’s landmark status,” said Andreas Enzler, Lighting Director at Theater St. Gallen.

Both the hexagonal layout and the strict preservation requirements posed challenges for the lighting installation. “The lighting in the theatre's front-of-house is completely asymmetrical, which affects sightlines and makes achieving even illumination very difficult,” explained Enzler. Difficult, but not impossible. Thanks to the expertise of ECM and ETC’s advanced technology, the lighting team found solutions for every issue. “A series of silent SolaFrame Studio fixtures from ETC, mounted on a truss, now perfectly illuminate the right side of the stage,” said Enzler.

Another major challenge was incorporating the venue’s imposing crystal chandeliers into the modern LED system. The ECM team solved this elegantly by installing ETC ArcLamps (2700K, Fade-to-Warm). “It wasn’t easy because the glass bodies needed to be evenly illuminated from the inside to maintain the chandelier effect,” Enzler noted. “We also couldn’t compromise on dimming behavior. Smooth dimming from 0 to 10 percent was essential, and ETC ArcLamps met our high standards perfectly.”

In addition to the chandeliers, ECM installed ArcLamps in the staircase steps of the auditorium. Over 420 ArcLamps (2700K, Fade-to-Warm) were installed throughout the theatre. For ceiling lighting, 65 ArcSystem Pro 1-Cell (Fade-to-Warm) fixtures were selected, seamlessly blending into the iconic architecture. “They bathe the theatre’s upholstered furniture in warm, inviting light while preserving the historical integrity of the building,” Enzler said.

The theatre also upgraded its lighting control system, opting for ETC’s Unison Paradigm. The system now includes 33 Paradigm Inspire button stations and six custom-configured touch panels. “We tailored the touch panels to suit specific needs depending on the area, whether for the control room, stage manager, or studio. Adjustments were easy to implement afterward,” Enzler added.