Just three months. That's how much time we had to transform the entire fifth floor of the legendary Máj department store on Národní třída into a futuristic entertainment space.

We needed 200 controllers that would allow the client to control everything—from sparkling disco balls to glowing snakes that match the colors and movements to the rhythm of the presentation showreel on the main LED screen. At the same time, they would connect every type of light in the gaming area into a single unit.

That was the assignment. And we accepted it.

From vision to high-tech playground

Amadeus Real Estate had a clear vision for the renovation of Máj – to create the Infinite Experience theme park inspired by major European cities. The upper floors were to be transformed into a space for arcades, bowling, simulators, and other attractions.

The architects' assignment for the 5th floor was clear and precise: half of the floor would be occupied by LEVELS arcades (similar to the 3rd and 4th floors), while the other half would serve as an event space with a bar and a giant LED screen.

However, the technical implementation of this concept presented a challenge – to create a "technological chameleon," as chief architect Milan Mlada likes to call this space, which can be freely changed as needed.

Game changer: When a client chooses you over a competing solution

Originally, we were only supposed to supply light snakes and their controls. Then came the moment that changed everything – we were given the opportunity to unify the control of all lights on the 5th floor. And this despite the fact that the rest of Máj runs on a competing system from an established European brand.

This is a commercial success, but also a sign of confidence in Czech technology at a level that is not seen every day.

We connected completely different lighting elements from different suppliers into one system:

• 420 meters of digital neon snakes (12x 35 meters of RGBW strips, addressable every 5 cm)
• Tracklights for arcades (ON/OFF lights)
• RGBW "adidas" stripes with DALI DT8 technology
• DMX spotlights for the event area
• Rotating disco balls
• Bar backlighting (57 separately controllable sections)
• Pulsating arrows highlighting the escalator leading to the 5th floor

200 controllers, 8 different technologies, one application

For the first time, we had the opportunity to connect such a diverse range of lights into one system. Our solution enables the connection of DALI and DMX systems through our own IO (inputs and outputs) concept, which significantly expands the possibilities of lighting control. Digital LED strips "talk" to classic ON/OFF luminaires, moving elements respond to static ones – and everything is controlled from a single application.

This is a breakthrough in complex lighting control.

"It was precisely this extremely atypical and complex task that became a great motivation for us. I can say with certainty that Spectoda was created precisely for these challenges. Our initial vision was clear: to push the boundaries of what can be created with light. And to do so in a way that is user-friendly and as simple as possible. No months of tedious cabling design, no hardware costing hundreds of thousands, and above all, no worries about latency and stuttering animations in noisy environments. That's what makes Spectoda unique. What at first glance seems like an insurmountable technical obstacle becomes an easily solvable reality thanks to our ecosystem."

ANNA VESELÁ, Co-founder & CEO @ Spectoda

Implementation in numbers

From April to June 2025, we had three months to design, install, and commission the system.

The project in numbers:

• Nearly 200 Spectoda controllers in action
• 420 meters of digital neon snakes with invisible joints
• 8 different types of lighting technologies in one system
• 3 months from order to launch

The hardest part? Figuring out how to connect the individual 35-meter segments of light snakes so that the joints were completely invisible. The result looks like a single continuous light element that "flows" through the space.

Spectoda App as a remote control for the entire floor

The result? The operator has one app in their hand that controls all the lights on the floor. They can easily switch between pre-set scenes depending on the type of event, or adjust individual lighting elements according to current needs. Installation and access assignment takes just three minutes.

The bar glows softly and intimately during a quiet afternoon, but within minutes it transforms into an energetic space for an evening event that responds to music. The arcades have their own lighting settings that enhance the gaming atmosphere.

Why it works

Flexibility. That is the key word for the entire project. OD Máj 5th floor is not just another commercial space—it is a place that must adapt to different types of events, moods, and times of day.

And because everything runs on a single system, there is no need for complicated manuals or training. Just click, and the space transforms.

A domestic reference that changes the rules of the game

The OD Máj project is an exceptional realization in terms of its location, architectural layout, and lighting control technology. For Spectoda, it represents the largest and most complex integrated lighting installation we have ever implemented. It is a demonstration of what Czech high-tech can achieve in the heart of Prague when given the opportunity to show what it can do.

200 controllers, 8 technologies, one app – this is not just a technical achievement, but a new standard for what complex lighting control in retail spaces can look like.

System flexibility, speed of implementation, and the ability to connect completely diverse technologies into a single functional whole. A place where Czechs are not afraid to embrace high-tech and implement projects of European caliber.

Máj - House of Fun is proof of what we can create when vision, technology, and the right team come together.

Are you thinking about a complex lighting solution for your space? OD Máj has shown that no challenge is too big. Get in touch with us – we will be happy to show you what can be achieved with light.