Nu World Custom Lighting and Design supplied a custom LED backlighting package for Nuance Duty Free at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, formerly McCarran International Airport.
The project required a lighting solution specifically suited to a busy international airport retail environment, where the displays needed to be extremely thin, exceptionally bright, visually clean and reliable for long-term commercial operation.
In total, Nu World supplied approximately 75 custom Frameless LED Light Panels for illuminated retail end caps, shelf uplighting, signage and other architectural display features throughout the duty-free environment.
The system used 5000K high-output white LED illumination and was designed for straightforward on/off operation at full retail brightness.
Airport Retail Backlighting Project Overview
- Project: Nuance Duty Free
- Location: Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas
- Former Airport Name: McCarran International Airport
- Application: Airport retail display and architectural backlighting
- Quantity: Approximately 75 custom LED light panels
- Color Temperature: 5000K
- Panel Thickness: Approximately 6 mm / 1/4″
- System: Fixed-white, high-output, non-dimming
- Applications: End caps, shelf uplighting, signage and illuminated retail displays
The Challenge: High Brightness With Minimal Thickness
Airport retail spaces are demanding lighting environments. Displays compete with overhead lighting, illuminated signage, digital screens, reflective finishes and surrounding merchandise.
At the same time, premium retail fixtures are normally designed to remain as slim and refined as possible. Traditional light boxes can require significantly more depth to allow conventional LEDs to blend properly.
For Nuance Duty Free, the objective was simple: create very thin illuminated retail displays without sacrificing brightness.
Our custom Nu World Frameless LED Light Panels provided the solution.
75 Custom Frameless LED Light Panels
Approximately 75 custom LED panels were manufactured specifically for the project.
At only around 6 mm / 1/4″ thick, the panels could be integrated into shallow shelving, end caps and display fixtures without adding unnecessary depth.
The custom panels were used for:
- Retail end cap backlighting
- Shelf uplighting
- Illuminated product displays
- Thin retail light boxes
- Backlit signage
- Translucent acrylic display elements
End Cap Backlighting
Retail end caps are important focal points because they are highly visible and frequently used for premium product displays and branding.
Integrating ultra-thin LED panels into the fixture construction allowed the end caps to remain visually slim while still producing strong illumination suitable for a bright airport retail environment.
Shelf Uplighting and Retail Display Illumination
The project also incorporated shelf uplighting and illuminated merchandising displays.
This type of illumination works particularly well for fragrance, cosmetics, liquor and luxury retail because it creates visual separation and helps merchandise stand out against surrounding ambient lighting.
The shallow construction of the LED panels allowed the lighting to be integrated without making the shelving bulky.
Why Ultra-Thin LED Panels Work Well in Airport Retail
One of the biggest advantages of edge-lit LED panel technology is the ability to illuminate a relatively large surface while maintaining very little installation depth.
Rather than positioning LEDs directly behind the illuminated surface, light enters through the edge of the acrylic panel and is distributed across the panel using an optical light-distribution pattern.
This makes the technology particularly suitable for:
- Airport retail displays
- Duty-free stores
- Thin illuminated shelving
- End caps
- Signage
- Menu boards
- Product displays
- Light boxes
- Feature walls
Custom-Shaped LED Light Panels
Airport and commercial interiors rarely consist entirely of standard rectangles. Nu World Frameless LED Light Panels can be manufactured in a wide variety of custom shapes, sizes and configurations.
Custom configurations can include angled panels, curved profiles, L-shaped panels, internal cutouts, structural penetrations and irregular perimeter conditions.
Learn more about custom LED panel shapes, cutouts and penetrations.
Large Custom LED Panels Reduce Wiring
Using fewer, larger custom panels can significantly reduce the number of wire exits and electrical connections compared with systems made from numerous small lighting tiles.
That can be particularly valuable in airport and commercial installations where access after completion may be difficult.
Other Airport Backlighting Applications
The Nuance Duty Free installation is one example of how Nu World LED technology can be used throughout airports, transportation facilities and commercial interiors.
Backlit Architectural and Art Glass
Decorative glass, laminated glass and architectural art panels can all be illuminated using custom backlighting systems designed around the optical properties of the material.
Airport Backlit Signage
Thin edge-lit LED panels are particularly effective for signage where both shallow construction and high brightness are required.
Airport Hospitality Backlighting – Daily Grill at LAX
Airport backlighting is not limited to retail. The same technology can be used in restaurants, lounges, bars, signage, feature walls and hospitality interiors.
Backlighting More Than Stone
Although Nu World is well known for translucent stone backlighting, our LED panel technology can illuminate many different light-transmitting materials.
Applications include:
- Translucent acrylic
- Clear and frosted acrylic
- Architectural resin
- Glass
- Solid surface materials
- Retail signage
- Decorative architectural panels
- Commercial display fixtures
If a material transmits light, there is usually a practical way to backlight it.
17+ Years of Architectural Backlighting Experience
Nu World Custom Lighting and Design has specialized specifically in architectural backlighting for more than 17 years.
Our systems have been used in airports, retail stores, restaurants, hotels, residences, commercial interiors, signage and custom architectural installations.
We work with architects, interior designers, contractors, millworkers, electrical contractors and fabricators to develop practical custom lighting systems for unusual applications.
View more Nu World Featured Projects.
Need Help With an Airport or Retail Backlighting Project?
If you are designing an airport retail store, duty-free shop, restaurant, lounge, signage system, display fixture or other illuminated architectural feature, we would be happy to review the application.
Send us your drawings, CAD files, approximate dimensions, material information, renderings or project requirements and we can help determine the most practical backlighting approach.
Nu World is based in Canada and supplies custom LED backlighting systems throughout the United States and internationally.
Contact Nu World Custom Lighting and Design
Learn more about Nu World Frameless LED Light Panels
Download the Nu World Backlighting Guide
Nu World Custom Lighting and Design — Backlighting is all we do.