Lighting Innovation Brings Link at Douglas to Life with TMB

	A defining feature of the development is "Cascade," a dynamic exterior lighting design that brings the building's expansive facade to life.

The Link at Cascade, a major mixed-use development in the heart of Miami, now shines as a beacon visible from US Highway1 and the Maimi Metrorail. A defining feature of the development is "Cascade," a dynamic exterior lighting design that brings the building's expansive facade to life.

The Cascade lighting concept, developed by John DiDomenico of Skyline Arts, uses TMB's FloppyFlex LED Neon to create bold, abstract lines across the tower's otherwise understated exterior. The challenge was considerable -- illuminating a large, exposed surface with no exterior access and strict concealment limitations. From the earliest stages, FloppyFlex was central to the plan. "FloppyFlex was a no-brainer," says DiDomenico. "The product delivered perfectly at every step, from concept to install."

However, powering the extensive FloppyFlex network posed a new challenge. The distance between drivers and fixtures, combined with a lack of space for traditional cabling, introduced critical voltage drop concerns. The solution came in the form of TMB's patent-pending BuckBoost system -- a transformative power and control technology that replaced 30,000 feet of heavy, expensive cabling with just 5,500 feet of streamlined, efficient ProPlex BuckBoost cable, cutting installation costs by 80%.

The BuckBoost system is a breakthrough in low-voltage LED infrastructure. Traditionally, voltage drop limits fixture placement to within 16' to 32' of drivers. BuckBoost eliminates that restriction by centralizing power and control. Proprietary BuckBoost technology sends power and bi-directional DMX or Ethernet control up to 500' from a Boost unit through a single, pencil-thin cable to compact Buck units near each fixture. These Buck units convert the BuckBoost signal back to the required voltage and precise, reliable control. The result is a dramatic reduction in both materials and labor, and an unprecedented freedom in design. "This is a truly transformative solution," says Nicole Rizzo, TMB's architectural program manager. "The BuckBoost system empowers designers to dream big -- combining elegant long-distance power delivery with flawless pixel-level control, all while simplifying installation."

Compatible with all FloppyFlex and FloppyTape models, as well as third-party low-voltage LED products, the system supports both portable and permanent installations. Buck units are available in rugged IP-rated or two-gang versions, while Boost units offer DIN rail and rackmount formats. Durable portable BuckBoost systems are also available for the production and staging markets. Smart features include flicker-free, gamma-corrected and "smooth to zero" dimming, variable PWM frequencies, and built-in overload protection -- designed for both architectural applications and high-speed video environments.

The Douglas Station project also showcases powerful control integration, with a Pharos LPC controller and Lumentender's cloud-based scheduling system driving the experience. This infrastructure will scale seamlessly with future development phases, including two additional towers with similar lighting designs.

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