NYE Burj Khalifa

On behalf of AO Creative, we had the privilege of designing the laser installation for the New Year's event on and around the Burj Khalifa for several years. During the turn of the year from 2017 to 2018, this unparalleled laser and light show achieved the world record as “The largest lighting and sound show on a single building”. The show not only attracted over a million viewers on site, but also reached more than 2.5 billion viewers via live stream television broadcasts around the world.

It was both a great honor and an enormous challenge to be the first laser company in the world to be involved in this unparalleled multimedia production on the world's tallest building and THE landmark of Dubai. We installed 50 projectors in specially designed outdoor housings along the entire façade to create a holistic design in the interplay of all show effects.

Many aspects of this project required customization, starting with material selection and installation planning. We modified the sensitive technology of the laser projectors to allow them to be mounted at altitudes of up to 828 meters for several months and to withstand the extreme temperature fluctuations of the desert climate.

Our adaptations included protective measures against extreme heat, fine sand, cold, clouds and even heavy rain showers. In addition, extensive safety precautions were developed and static calculations were carried out to keep the equipment in precise alignment and secure it permanently.

The show was programmed and designed in close collaboration with Jerry Appelt as lighting designer and Marco Niedermeier from AO Creative as producer.

Numerous rehearsals and creative programming nights led to an overwhelming overall result in which all effects were shown to their full advantage. The numerous different shows were able to make a lasting impression on the audience with their specially created focal themes, filling the audience area in front of the Burj Khalifa several times a day.