GLP impression X5 IP Maxx transforms Rome’s Baths of Caracalla

Rome’s Baths of Caracalla provided the settng for the celebration dinner marking the 32nd general assembly of EFC, European Football Clubs. The event carried particular significance as the organisation had unveiled its new name and identity. The celebration dinner at the baths followed, featuring live shows and performances. STS Communication was responsible for the full event delivery, from scenic design and artist coordination through to the management of all audiovisual content.

At the heart of the lighting concept was the vision of lighting designer Sergio Cattaneo, whose artistic direction shaped every technical and scenographic decision. The brief presented a specific challenge. Illuminate a protected historic site using midsized IP65‐rated LED washlights, all while achieving both uniform coverage and a strong sense of spatial depth, without any intrusion on the monument. The initial planning phase had identified a requirement for 120 fixtures.

Working in close collaboration with the technical director of Lucidiscena, acting as technical partner to STS Communication, Cattaneo developed a more efficient approach. The result was a rig of 90 GLP impression X5 IP Maxx units, a reduction of a quarter from the original specification. Rather than compromising the design, the leaner approach enhanced it.

Positioned at ground level along the full length of the venue, the 90 fixtures produced a uniform, almost hypnotic architectural wash that gave the ancient space both scale and presence. Programming had begun in the studio ahead of the event, with Cattaneo working to precise timecode. On site, the design was further refined, with all fixtures networked through a redundant multimode fibre‐optic ring that ensured reliable communication throughout.

The impression X5 IP Maxx units delivered consistent colour rendering and reliability across the full duration of the event, sustaining performance without incident in an environment where any failure would have been immediately visible.

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