When Ben Hodgson Cars decided to create a dedicated Media Suite, the purpose was clear but how to achieve it wasn’t. The space needed to do far more than showcase vehicles. It had to produce outstanding photography, create engaging social media content and provide complete flexibility for future campaigns.
Our team designed, supplied, installed and programmed every lighting element throughout the new 16m x 18m Ben Hodgson Cars Media Suite. Alongside the lighting, we also delivered the complete audio system and video distribution, creating one integrated environment that transforms at the touch of a button.
The finished result combines architectural lighting, pixel mapping and intelligent control to produce one of the UK’s most impressive automotive content studios.
Designing the Ben Hodgson Cars Media Suite
Unlike many projects where the design has already been completed, the Ben Hodgson Cars lighting design started with a blank canvas.
After an extreme amount of site visits, phone calls and whatsapps, we developed concepts that balanced vehicle photography, social media production and everyday usability.
Every lighting feature had a purpose. Some elements create dramatic content for social media. Others provide perfectly even lighting for photographing high-value vehicles. Meanwhile, several installations simply transform the atmosphere of the room for customer events and presentations.
A Custom Pixel Lighting Installation on a Huge Scale
The Media Suite contains more than 650 metres of high-output 24V pixel LED tape, making this one of the largest pixel lighting installations in a car garage we have completed.
Every metre uses 120 LEDs per metre, delivering exceptional brightness, smooth dimming and accurate colour reproduction at 32W per metre.
The centrepiece of the project is our largest custom light box to date. Suspended above the rotating vehicle turntable sits a bespoke 6m x 5m illuminated light box, built using our custom five-channel CRI 95+ pixel tape. The high colour rendering index ensures vehicles appear natural on camera while providing the flexibility of full RGB -2700k-6000k colour effects whenever required.
Installed along the the wall opposite the Rock Wall are 65 bespoke pixel bars, each measuring 3.55 metres long. These span the full 16-metre depth of the studio, creating perfectly balanced linear lighting while producing striking animated effects across the ceiling.
To complement the pixel bars, we also installed four custom ceiling squares, each measuring 4 metres and line of LED chasing between the squares. Every feature works together as one complete lighting system rather than individual installations.
Bespoke Illuminated Branding
A key part of the Ben Hodgson Cars lighting design was ensuring the branding became part of the architecture. Rather than installing traditional signage, we created three fully programmable illuminated signs.
These included:
- One 6m Ben Hodgson Cars sign
- One 4.5m Ben Hodgson Cars sign
- One 3.5m Media Suite sign
Each sign is capable of displaying static colours, smooth fades and fully animated effects. Because every element integrates into the wider lighting system, the branding can become part of any programmed scene, creating an immersive experience throughout the entire Media Suite.
Contact our team today to discuss Bespoke Signage.
Adding Texture Through Architectural Lighting
During our installation the customer installed an impressive rock feature wall. To highlight the texture, we designed and manufactured custom lensed wall washers. A total of 32 metres of wall washing was installed, with 16 metres positioned along both the top and bottom of the feature wall.
The result provides subtle architectural lighting during normal operation while allowing dramatic coloured effects when the room changes into content creation mode. Small finishing touches like this make a significant difference to the overall appearance of the space.
Intelligent Lighting Control Using MADRIX Professional
Every lighting fixture throughout the Ben Hodgson Cars Media Suite is pixel mapped and individually programmable. The complete system is controlled using MADRIX Professional, allowing unlimited scene creation, dynamic effects, scheduling and future expansion.
To distribute data across the installation, we utilised Advatek E16-S and Advatek E4-S pixel controllers alongside MADRIX Nebula interfaces. Together, these devices provide reliable pixel control across hundreds of metres of LED tape while maintaining perfectly synchronised playback.
Behind the scenes, our own envisio Lighting Media Server manages the installation, giving the customer simple day-to-day control while also enabling our Remote Management platform. This allows us to remotely update content, diagnose faults, modify scenes and support the customer without travelling to site. For a project of this scale, remote management delivers significant long-term value.
Contact our team today to discuss our Lighting Control and Remote Managment platform.
Powering More Than Half a Kilometre of Pixel Lighting
Delivering stable power across 650 metres of pixel tape requires careful electrical design.
We specified a combination of Mean Well HLG-320, HLG-480 and RSP-2000 power supplies, selected specifically for their reliability and long-term performance.
Correct power injection, voltage management and cable sizing were considered throughout the installation to ensure consistent brightness across every lighting feature. These details often remain unseen, yet they are critical to producing reliable architectural lighting installations.
Integrated Audio Visual Throughout the Media Suite
Lighting formed only part of the project. We also supplied and installed the complete audio system to create an immersive experience for both customers and staff.
The installation includes:
- Eight Beale Street IC6 dual voice 6.5-inch in-ceiling speakers
- Four Beale Street Black Series 6.5-inch in-ceiling subwoofers
- One Beale Street A220 amplifier
- WiiM Pro Plus network music streamer
For video distribution, we installed a WyreStorm transmission system using one transmitter and two receivers, distributing content from Apple TV to 2 x 98-inch displays installed in the Media Suite.
Programming for Photography and Social Media
One of the most rewarding parts of this project happened after installation. Rather than simply handing over the controls, we worked directly alongside the Ben Hodgson Cars team and their photographer Max Kirton from Quokka.
Together, we programmed custom lighting scenes specifically for photographing vehicles. Each pre-set was developed to complement different paint finishes, reduce unwanted reflections and create consistent lighting across the turntable.
We also produced dynamic content scenes designed specifically for social media videos, allowing staff to switch between professional photography and dramatic animated effects within seconds. Finally, we carried out a complete staff handover, ensuring every member of the team understood how to operate the system confidently.
A Complete Solution from Design to Commissioning
Projects like Ben Hodgson Cars demonstrate why clients choose envisio. Rather than supplying individual products, we deliver complete lighting systems. From concept design and custom fabrication through to programming, commissioning, training and remote support, every stage remains under one roof.
The result is a Media Suite that not only looks incredible today but can continue evolving as the business grows. Whether the room is photographing a supercar, filming social media content or hosting a customer event, the lighting adapts instantly.
For us, this project represents exactly what intelligent architectural lighting should be. Flexible, immersive and built around the customer.
Hardware Used Throughout the Project
Behind every lighting effect sits carefully selected professional hardware.
The installation combines over 650 metres of high-output 24V 120 LED/m pixel tape, custom five-channel CRI 95+ pixel tape, bespoke pixel bars, custom illuminated signs and architectural wall washers. Control is provided through MADRIX Professional, supported by an envisio Lighting Media Server, Advatek E16-S, four Advatek E4-S controllers and two MADRIX NEBULA interfaces for reliable pixel data distribution. Power is supplied using Mean Well HLG-320, HLG-480 and RSP-2000 power supplies.
The AV system includes Beale Street IC6 ceiling speakers, Beale Street Black Series subwoofers, a Beale Street A220 amplifier, WyreStorm video distribution, Apple TV and a WiiM Pro Plus network streamer.
Together, these technologies create a professional-grade media suite capable of delivering exceptional lighting, audio and visual experiences every day.
Visit our Shop for more Hardware and Software.
Looking for a Custom Automotive Lighting Installation?
Whether you’re creating a dealership showroom, media studio, vehicle launch space or photography suite, envisio can design a bespoke lighting system tailored to your business.
From concept and design through to installation, programming and remote management, we deliver complete solutions using pixel lighting, DMX, Art-Net, sACN, DALI and architectural lighting control systems.
Contact our team today to discuss your next project.
