Developed within the Art of Darkness project, this context‑specific bollard family has been designed for the Pikisaari shoreline pathway in Oulu, where cultural layers meet urban nature. The system brings together darkness‑sensitive illumination, targeted heritage highlighting, and integrated power and data interfaces for light‑art installations.
Pikisaari Bollards for darkness‑sensitive lighting
Original winter photo by Aapo Mäntykangas
Darkness‑sensitive path lighting
AICCI Pikisaari modular bollards are built on a modular system in which the luminaire head provides DMX‑controlled 1800K amber and 2700K warm‑white light. This allows the pathway lighting to be adjusted seamlessly between 1800 and 2700 Kelvin.
Each pathway bollard is equipped with a DALI‑2 motion and daylight sensor for adaptive light control. The luminaires are designed for daisy‑chain installation, allowing power and data to flow efficiently from one bollard to the next.
Designed for long‑term sustainability, the bollards feature a modular construction that allows all key components to be accessed, opened, and maintained, ensuring serviceability, upgradability, and an extended product lifetime.
AICCI PPL T1
Amber 1800K 710lm CRI>90
2700K 620lm CRI>95
1800K + 2700K 1330lm CRI>90
Ask about a project‑specific solution / Book a conversation
Do you need a context‑sensitive lighting solution that respects the values of darkness? We’re happy to discuss how the Pikisaari bollards can be adapted for your site or project.
Context and origins of the Art of Darkness Project
Art of Darkness is an EU‑funded project that explores the cultural, aesthetic, and ecological values of darkness and develops design practices for urban environments based on these insights. Through collaboration between cities, research institutions, and creative professionals, the project pilots new urban lighting solutions in five European countries. The light‑art pathway in Pikisaari, Oulu, is one of these pilots and forms part of the European Capital of Culture Oulu2026 programme.
The Pikisaari light‑art pathway runs along the seashore of Pikisaari, an island located near the centre of Oulu, where a multilayered and culturally significant environment meets rich urban nature. This unique setting shapes the approach to lighting: the aim is not to erase darkness, but to complement it gently and with respect for the place.
AICCI’s role in the Pikisaari light‑art pathway project is to design and manufacture the permanently installed light bollards along the walkway. Although the Pikisaari bollards have been created specifically for this site, they have been developed with a broader perspective: the same solution — or a tailored variation of it — can be used in other locations as well, particularly in environments that seek to honour the values of darkness, including dark‑sky principles and nature‑aware design, where deliberate, context‑sensitive lighting is essential.
The Pikisaari pathway bollards will be installed in May 2026. In November 2026, light artists will take the pathway bollards into use through FLASH, the Finnish Light Art Association.
Pikisaari bollards overview
All Pikisaari light‑art pathway bollards provide both standard 230V mains power and 400V three‑phase power for installations that require higher capacity. All power and data connections are enclosed behind a lockable service hatch for safety and security. In addition, bollards includes data interfaces for artworks: DMX lighting‑control data, audio‑data connections, and dedicated mounting and support points for light artworks and equipment.
AICCI PPL T1 pathway light bollard
The pathway light bollards provide a glare‑free, softly defined circular beam that fades smoothly into the surroundings without harsh contrast. The DMX‑controlled light combines warm‑white and amber tones. Each bollard includes an integrated DALI‑2 sensor offering both PIR presence detection and daylight sensing, activating the lighting according to a pre‑programmed sequence.
Dimensions: W300 x D196 (400) x H900 mm
AICCI PPL T2 light on demand with push buttons
Installed at the beginning and end of the pathway, these bollards allow users to activate different lighting modes via DALI‑2–connected push buttons. The three push buttons provide selectable modes: daylight level, nature‑friendly mode, and an art‑lighting scene. Light is provided only when needed, supporting darkness‑sensitive and energy‑efficient use of the route. Functionally, the push‑button version is identical to the AICCI PPL T1, with the addition of user‑controlled scene selection.
Dimensions: W300 x D196 (400) x H900 mm
AICCI PPL T3 for accent lighting
Equipped with a configurable set of one to three 15W DMX‑controlled RGBW luminaires, this bollard deliveres flexible and precise accent lighting. Each module can be individually aimed to highlight historical structures, landscape features or environmental details, enabling site‑specific compositions and layered visual storytelling.
Dimensions: W300 x D196 x H1230 mm
AICCI PPL T4 power and data bollard
Designed for light-art and events, the PPL T4 bollard provides a Schuko 230VAC outlet, a 400VAC three‑phase power connection, DMX lighting‑control data, and audio‑data interfaces. Dedicated mounting points support temporary light artworks and auxiliary event equipment, enabling flexible and dependable infrastructure for creative installations.
Dimensions: W300 x D196 x H824 mm
Ask about a project‑specific solution / Book a conversation
Do you need a context‑sensitive lighting solution that respects the values of darkness? We’re happy to discuss how the Pikisaari bollards can be adapted for your site or project.