From abstract patterns to full-motion video, LED media façades are where architecture meets storytelling.

Have you ever looked up at a glowing building and wondered how these dazzling LED installations come together? Well, wonder no more!

Our Dubai team recently pulled back the curtain on how to design and build a brilliant LED media façade, and we filmed the whole thing so you can see how to do it too. It’s easier than you think too – so long as you have the right tools.

We set out to build a sleek, high-impact media screen akin to what you might use to light up a high-rise façade using pixel bars.

The key ingredients:


> ENTTEC LED Mapper (ELM) software

> Storm10 Ethernet-to-DMX gateway

> S-PLAY LITE show controller

> LED pixel strip

The team laid out the display in a 14×2 grid, made up of 28 LED bars (two stacked vertically per column), spaced 12cm apart. That gave us plenty of coverage without overcomplicating the design. Clean, consistent spacing meant the final visuals would look sharp from all angles.

To make mapping and wiring easier, we used a zigzag (or snake-style) data flow. This mirrored how the bars were physically installed and saved time when configuring the layout in ELM – ENTTEC’s intuitive LED mapping software that turns complex virtual designs into reality.

Each bar was mounted onto a custom wooden panel using snap-in clips. This not only kept everything aligned but also meant we could easily remove and replace bars during setup (or down the track, if needed). Neat, simple and effective.


Installation kicked off with a dry-fit test. With our layout double-checked, the warehouse crew stepped in to help lift and align the fully-prepped panel.

To keep power and data flowing smoothly, we injected every 10 bars, preventing voltage drops and signal loss across the grid. All cabling was hidden behind the panel for a polished, professional finish.

Controlling this luminous façade was a breeze.

We used the Storm10 to handle the protocol conversion – effortlessly changing Art-Net to DMX512. Then, once everything was mapped and animated in ELM, we transferred the final show onto an S-PLAY LITE.

Using a portable ENTTEC show controller means that no computers are needed on-site. You simply plug in the S-PLAY and your show runs automatically. Day or night, rain or shine, the display comes to life at the touch of a button.

With pixels mapped, power in place, and shows uploaded, the screen sprang into action – proof that dynamic LED façades don’t have to be complex to be stunning. Check out the video below!

Whether you’re illuminating a high-rise or creating a feature wall in a commercial space, ENTTEC gives you all the tools you need to make it memorable.

Ready to light up your next project? Don’t hesitate to get in touch and we’ll build something brilliant together. That’s a promise.