Zaanweg Oost, Zaandam: classic lanterns with modern technology
On Zaanweg Oost in Zaandam, a dyke road along the river Zaan, classic lanterns fitted with LED give a calm, even glow that suits the historic surroundings. Here is how to translate that look into your own project with POLARIS classic and aluminium columns from CIVIS.
A dyke road with historic character
Zaanweg Oost follows the bank of the Zaan: water on one side, houses and small businesses on the other. The Zaan region is known for its wooden houses, windmills and industrial heritage, and a lighting column there is as much part of the street scene by day as any facade. That is why classic lanterns line this dyke road: the silhouette of the past with the technology of today.
Done well, after sunset a calm, even glow covers carriageway, footpath and quay: no harsh pools of light, no dark gaps, no spill light across the water.
Why LED in a classic lantern
The combination offers three advantages:
- Less energy: a 40 W LED post-top delivers 4,000 lm, usually sufficient for a residential street or dyke road at a 4 metre mounting height, depending on column spacing and lighting class.
- Less maintenance: no more lamp changes. On a narrow dyke, where a cherry picker is awkward to position, that matters.
- Better light: a directional lens sends the light to the ground, not upwards or across the water, and limits glare.
The same look from the Lichtplein range
Lichtplein was not involved in this project; it serves here as an example of what a classic LED lantern can do in a historic setting. For a similar scene there is the classic post-top luminaire from POLARIS: 40 W, 4,000 lm, 4000 K, IP66 and a 120 degree beam. The luminaire slides over an 80 mm column top and carries a 5 year guarantee.
Need warmer light in a conservation area? The modern, symmetrical POLARIS can be set after installation with a remote control to 2200 K, 3000 K or 4000 K and to 30, 40 or 60 W.
Aluminium columns on a dyke
A dyke road is damp and windy. Aluminium does not rust and is light, so you can often erect a 4 or 6 metre column without a heavy crane. The aluminium columns from CIVIS are supplied on a project basis, price on request.
Prefer steel at a sharp price on request, answer within 48 hours? The conical steel columns from TURRIS are hot-dip galvanised, optionally powder coated in RAL 9005, in 4 and 6 metres. In either case, order the column connection box from NEXUS at the same time: it fits in the door opening. You will find an overview of all columns on the columns page.
Light level and column spacing
A post-top luminaire lights all around. As a rule of thumb, allow a column spacing of 3 to 4 times the mounting height: at 4 metres that is 12 to 16 metres, or 6 to 8 columns per 100 metres of road. A residential street or dyke road usually falls into lighting class P4 (5 lux average) or P3 (7.5 lux) under EN 13201. Not sure? A lighting calculation costs 350 euros excl. VAT and gives mounting height, spacing and wattage in one report.
How to approach it
Step by step for a street or quay with classic lanterns:
- Determine mounting height and column spacing, preferably with a lighting calculation.
- Choose luminaire and column together, with an 80 mm top diameter for the classic POLARIS.
- Order the column connection box and fuses at the same time.
- Allow 3 to 5 weeks for steel columns and 4 to 6 weeks for aluminium columns; luminaires ship from European stock within 5 working days.
- Project pricing from 20 columns. Lichtplein supplies businesses only, prices excl. VAT.
Frequently asked questions
Does the classic POLARIS fit an aluminium column from CIVIS?
It can, as long as the column top is 80 mm. State the top diameter when you order and we will check the combination before dispatch.
Can I get warmer light than 4000 K?
The classic version delivers 4000 K. If you want 2200 K or 3000 K, choose the modern symmetrical POLARIS with adjustable colour temperature, or ask us about the options for your project.
How many lanterns do I need for 300 metres of dyke road?
At a 4 metre mounting height and 12 to 16 metre spacing you arrive at roughly 20 to 26 columns, including the first and last column. A lighting calculation makes this exact, matched to the agreed lighting class.
What is the lead time for columns and luminaires?
Luminaires ship from European stock within 5 working days, steel lighting columns in 3 to 5 weeks and aluminium columns in 4 to 6 weeks. Aluminium columns from CIVIS are supplied on a project basis, price on request.
Browse the classic post-top luminaires from POLARIS and the aluminium columns from CIVIS, or request a quote for your street, quay or dyke road.
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