Building an Archway Lighting Sculpture
How our team layered string lights and outline strips across a circular walk-through frame.
Two ways to create an illuminated landmark
The two horse lanterns use shaped, illuminated surfaces to define their figures. The archway takes a different approach: strings of small lights fill its open frame, while light strips trace the circular outline.
Seen together, the horses add colour and character beside a walk-through centrepiece. From farther away, the arch reads as one bright shape; up close, visitors can see the individual points of light and the layered frame. For other exposed-light forms, explore our commercial LED light sculptures.
How the frame was lit
The team worked in three connected stages: preparing the frame, testing the upper section and lighting both sides of the main components. The photographs show how the arrangement developed before final assembly.
Prepare the white-painted frame
The metal frame was painted white, giving the small lights a lighter backdrop than the darker framework used on the companion horse lanterns. The team built the arch in two layers and reinforced the lower sections before fitting the lighting.
Test the upper section
The team attached string lights around the detached upper section and tested the effect in the workshop. They adjusted the spacing where the pattern looked too open or crowded, then added strips along the edge so the curved top would remain clear when joined to the rest of the arch.
Light the four main sections
The four main frame sections were lit on their inner and outer faces. For this build, the team settled on four horizontal and four vertical runs on each section after testing the spacing. Light strips followed the edges and coloured pattern details, helping the separate sections read as one design once assembled.
Bringing the sections together
During workshop assembly, the team joined the upper piece to the four main sections, checked how the frame aligned and connected the lighting. In the finished display, small points of light fill the open arch while brighter edge strips keep its rounded shape visible.
Adapting the lighting to another site
This archway combines an open grid of string lights with coloured outline strips. The horse lanterns beside it use illuminated surfaces instead. For another venue, the right approach depends on the intended shape, viewing distance, access through the display and the planned display period.
The workshop film shows the archway and horses during lighting review. If your project calls for a different figure or a larger scene, share the reference images, site dimensions and opening date so the frame, lighting and installation plan can be developed together.
Explore more custom lantern projects on the Star Factory Lantern website, or watch workshop films on our YouTube channel.
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