Orchestrating Light for Performance, Broadcast, and Precision
When millions of viewers tune in to watch the world's top tennis players compete in New York each summer, few realize the technical feat happening overhead. Behind the “thwack” of every serve and exciting 20-shot rally is a sophisticated lighting system designed to meet the demands of world-class athletic performances and high-definition broadcasting. For Riordan Brothers Integration, updating and managing the lighting for this iconic tennis venue turned out to be much more than just another project—it was a significant challenge with precious little margin for error.
High Visibility, High Profile
This was a high-profile project, and the results would be highly visible to a national and worldwide audience. The venue's existing system needed comprehensive modernization while continuing to support year-round operations. With over 30 lighting processors and thousands of fixtures spread across a sprawling campus, the scale alone presented significant complexity.
What made this project particularly demanding was the timeline. The Riordan team had just two months to implement and test the entire system before the championship tournament began. During those critical two weeks of competition, every light had to perform flawlessly—no flickering, no failures, no exceptions.
"We work directly with the sports network broadcasting teams during the event," explains Paul Riordan, principal at Riordan Brothers. "Our house and event lighting must coordinate perfectly with their show lighting. When you're broadcasting to millions of viewers worldwide, there's absolutely no room for error."
The technical requirements added another layer of complexity. The new system needed to replace an aging GE lighting control infrastructure while integrating multiple lighting protocols—including DMX, 0-10v dimming, phase control, and relay systems—into a cohesive, reliable solution.
The Technical Solution
Riordan Brothers designed a comprehensive solution centered around Crestron control systems, creating campus-wide lighting management with real-time status monitoring. This approach allowed for centralized control of every lighting zone while accommodating the variety of lighting technologies throughout the venue.
To meet these demands, the team implemented a sophisticated infrastructure that simplified complex backend operations into intuitive controls. Administrators gained access to automated scheduling through time clock functionality, enabling energy conservation during the venue's less active periods while ensuring instant availability during events.
The system's architecture addressed a critical paradox: despite its technical complexity, it needed to be simple to operate. The team achieved this by designing custom interfaces that distilled hundreds of lighting controls into straightforward options that could be managed with minimal training.
Implementation and Results
The implementation required careful coordination and a phased approach. Riordan Brothers worked around existing architectural elements and venue constraints, methodically replacing legacy systems while minimizing disruption to the facility's ongoing operations.
The team's expertise in electrical systems and integration proved invaluable. Rather than juggling multiple contractors, the venue benefited from Riordan's comprehensive experience in power distribution and control systems, streamlining communication and eliminating potential gaps between different aspects of the project.
The results have transformed the venue's lighting operations. Where staff once navigated complex controls, they now manage the entire system through simplified interfaces. Automated scheduling has improved energy efficiency when the facility isn't hosting major events while providing the flexibility to override these settings during tournaments.
Most importantly, the system delivers the performance reliability that broadcast partners demand. During championship matches, lighting synchronizes perfectly with broadcast requirements, enhancing the viewing experience for millions while meeting the rigorous technical standards of high-definition sports broadcasting.
We are starting a site expansion that will encompass new suites in the main stadium and a new player development area. The project is to be completed for the 2027 tournament.
Need help with your commercial lighting or AV systems? It doesn’t have to be as high-profile a project as this one; we work within a range of project scopes and budgets. Contact Riordan Brothers Integration to learn more about how our specialized expertise can add value to your construction or renovation plans.
