WE-EF has upgraded its steplights and is presenting four new series designs

Found in many places, with a big impact but a low-key look – steplights are integrated unobtrusively into their surroundings and yet they are the secret stars. Not only do they ensure surefootedness on steps, stairways and terraces, they also mark paths and are a design feature in outdoor spaces at night. Their special constructional features are hidden.

The challenge for designers and engineers is to accommodate a large amount of technology in an extremely small space as well as ensure the simplest possible installation. The cables also need to be easily accessible in the tightest of spaces.

However, the lighting requirements for steplights are also demanding. In addition to luminaires that serve purely for orientation, there are versions equipped with special optical systems – a good example is the new WE-EF STI134 recessed wall luminaire. With asymmetric ‘forward-throw’ distribution, it ensures glare-free visual comfort and achieves broad illumination of the ground.

WE-EF has redesigned its range of steplights to meet LED requirements. With the four new STL/SVL/STO/STI100 LED series, suitable lighting instruments are now available to fulfil a wide range of lighting tasks, from orientation lighting and safe guidance to accentuating or giving rhythm to architecture.

Thanks to LED technology, the proportions of the luminaires have been optimised and made narrower, and more elegant designs have been realised. This, by the way, also corresponds to a general design trend; not only has the aspect ratio of screen formats changed in favour of widescreen 16:9 formats, the design language in architecture is also following this development. As a result, driveways, stairs, terraces and paths are often being planned with more generous and broader dimensions.