Press release -
20 years of Lichtkanal
OUR HEART beats for a game-changing DUO:
LIGHT and STRIP - the creative UNITY
Lichtkanal from LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH has combined linear light and architecture in a unique way for twenty years. The founders Wilfried and Walter Schlegel saw the potential of this lighting trend early on and developed an innovative, customer-focused solution that seamlessly blends into architectural structures.
The vision to integrate light in a discreet and linear manner has inspired architects and lighting designers and has brought about many creative design options. Lichtkanal has been and still is a forward-looking response to the design requirements of modern lighting.
“It is our vision to continue developing energy-efficient and intelligent lighting solutions that are both functional and beautiful. They are to enrich spaces, save energy and react flexibly to their environment. Combined with technologies such as our Organic Response control system and our customised Lichtkanal, this is already possible. We want to create light for people – light that inspires and gives an idea of what light could look like in the future.“
- David Meßmer, LTS Product Manager
From prototype to production:
The beginnings and the breakthrough of Lichtkanal
The history of Lichtkanal starts with the pioneering spirit and the innovativeness of the LTS team who created the first drafts for the Lichtkanal 070 range in 2003. Convinced that light should be more than a functional component, the LTS team introduced not only Lichtkanal but a new era of room lighting. The first deliveries started as early as 2004. From that moment, Lichtkanal has become the preferred architectural design element for linear lighting.
“We have picked up the trend and the demand from the market for linear lighting solutions and have developed Lichtkanal particularly for our customers. From the very beginning, we wanted light to be seen as more than a technical necessity, we wanted it to be seen as an integral element of architecture. With this product we have created linear light that redefines rooms and how we perceive them.“
- Wilfried Schlegel, Co-founder of LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH.
Lichtkanal’s impressive versatility enables a great number of applications – from accent lighting to extensive basic lighting. In 2007, a particular production line was created which allowed Lichtkanal to successfully move into mass production.
Another benefit of automated production was the enhanced precision and customisation of the product which in turn have improved precision fitting during the installation process and a final product of the highest aesthetic quality. Optimised logistics and quality inspections in the production line have ensured a more reliable delivery and simpler installation.
“Lichtkanal offers creative freedom and fulfills highest design and functionality requirements making it the perfect element for interior design.“
- Jörg Sturm, Architect in the Black Forest National Park Centre Ruhestein
Technical milestones:
From LEDification to the patented NanoOptix
With the entry into the Fagerhult Group in 2010, LTS started to focus more on efficiency and sustainability. The gradual changeover to LED technology has made further technical innovations possible. The Lichtkanal configurator was introduced in 2016 and has since then become a supporting tool used by architects and lighting designers to provide customised lighting solutions. The patented NanoOptix technology followed in 2017: The probably thinnest film in the world enables seamlessly directed lighting and has been well received at a national and international level thanks to its precise light distribution.
Efficiency and quality optimisation endeavours continue to provide each Lichtkanal range with the perfect lighting performance and ensure minimum energy consumption.
New standards in flexibility and lighting quality
- 2019: The introduction of the Lichtkanal 060 range opened up new possibilities for direct and indirect lighting. It offers additional flexibility with an uninterrupted light line of up to 150 metres.
- 2020: With 360° Glare Control (GC technology) for the Lichtkanal 060 and Lichtkanal 070 models, LTS paid particular attention to glare-free light and high visual comfort, particularly for (computer-based) workstations – a significant step toward fulfilling modern office lighting requirements.
- 2022: The development of Lichtkanal Curved represents another milestone in the history of Lichtkanal. LTS makes it possible to guide linear light smoothly around corners which gives life to dynamic and organic lighting shapes.
This innovation widens the range of architecture options because curved and tailor-made shapes come along with constant lighting quality and efficiency. This technology has strengthened LTS’s position as an innovative market leader in the lighting industry.
The future focuses on flexibility and sustainability
With the launch of the light insert with IP65 rating in 2023, the scope of applications for Lichtkanal 070 was extended making this Lichtkanal also suitable for covered outdoor areas. As a result, uninterrupted architectural lighting solutions are now possible from indoors to outdoors or vice versa. A comprehensive efficiency update has allowed to optimise all Lichtkanal ranges since 2023 which makes them even more attractive for new buildings and renovation projects: Now they are eligible for funding through the Federal Grant Programme for Efficient Buildings.
With a view to the next decades, LTS has placed more emphasis on sustainable lighting solutions and energy-efficient technologies, such as the modular Organic Response system. Organic Response makes Lichtkanal an intelligent, flexible lighting element keeping both architecture and the user always mind. The system allows for energy consumption to be reduced by up to 80% because it automatically adjusts the light to customer movement and behaviour.
All technological advancements, combined with the energy-efficient benefits of the LTS product range, make Lichtkanal a future-proof solution for all those who want to integrate sustainability and design requirements.
“For me and the entire LTS team, combining innovation and sustainability is key to design rooms that inspire and provide the highest efficiency at the same time.“
- David Meßmer, LTS Product Manager
Lichtkanal –
a farsighted concept for more than 20 years
The LTS Lichtkanal has always been designed to meet both the highest aesthetics standards and provide a sustainable solution for the future. The idea of reusability already played an important role early on during development. All Lichtkanal solutions installed over the past 20 years can now be easily retrofitted with state-of-the-art LED technology by simply changing the light inserts while keeping the existing profile.
This approach not only contributes to saving resources but also allows for timely renovation without having to compromise on design. Lichtkanal remains seamlessly integrated into the overall architecture and its LED inserts offer top-quality, glare-free lighting. The sustainable renovation solution shows how Lichtkanal meets both today’s and tomorrow’s requirements thanks to its sophisticated construction– as a product that is sustainable, environmentally friendly, and flexible to leave no architectural wish unfulfilled.
A real LTS success story – to be continued
The history of Lichtkanal is inextricably linked to the development of LTS. It reflects the fact that, since its foundation in 1985, the company has always been committed to spearheading lighting innovations. For its 40th anniversary in 2025, the lighting manufacturer from Upper Swabia proudly reflects on the Lichtkanal – a symbol of the successful fusion of light, efficiency, and architectural perfection.
ENDLESS LIGHT – ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES
Related links
With 220+ employees, the luminaire manufacturer LTS, based in Tettnang on Lake Constance, is an internationally valued partner of well-known customers, architects and planners. LTS offers products for superior architectural and retail lighting as well as lighting technology for hospitality and office. Since 2010, LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH has been a member of the Swedish Fagerhult Group, making it the third largest luminaire manufacturer in Europe.
