Mountains and Starships

Dane Styczynski from Victory Church in Lancaster, PA brings us this cool look for their two campuses.

From Dane: Our broadcast campus has a taller ceiling and a little more width, so the mountains were designed a little larger to fill the dead space.

The mountains at one of our satellite campuses (we have six campuses) were scaled down and an extra LED piece was added since the center projection screen retracts into the ceiling.

The wooden members are 2x4s ripped into three strips (cost savings, but time intensive), but you could just as easily buy 2×2.
The LED adhesive wasn’t strong enough for a good bond to the wood surface, so we added bands of electrical tape all the way around the cross bars. We notched out a section of the tape to make sure we didn’t cover any of the LEDs. Since LED tape gets warm (especially trapped inside PEX tube) it is important to be well-secured. If the tape bubbles and gets close to the tube, it ruins the diffused/uniform lighting.

The LED was stopped short of the end of the cross bars to allow space for the connector.

The LED tape is SUPERNIGHT Waterproof RGB, selected because we’ve used it before.

A single screw held the cross bar on the vertical bar. The benefit was that they were easy to level when in place. The downside was that they were harder to keep level.

LED wiring was stapled to the back with 3/8″ staples (not the electrical tape as shown). Every other LED bar was wired in series so we could have alternating colors.

We used 1″ white PEX and cut off one side for a width of 7/8″. It was just enough of a cut to allow the pipe to slip over the LED tape.

We chose to use electrical tape to secure the pipe to the cross bar at either end. It hides the dull spot where the connection is, and it is cheap and easy. We also used a couple finishing nails at an angle on longer sections to keep the PEX from bowing out. Be careful not to nail through your LEDs!

We then covered the open ends of the tube and wires with black gaff to control light spill and hide the wiring.

We designed the cross bars in set lengths (12″, 18″, 24″, 30″, 36″) and arranged them randomly, but so that we had relatively even coverage.

We had 5 versions and then varied how many we used based on the width of the stage at each campus.

Two LED “trees” were screwed to an 8′ stick of lumber that was painted black and the zip-tied (with much redundancy) to the lighting/scenic pipes at each campus. Command strips or small hooks would also work well.

Why This Design Works

The genius of this LED mountain design lies in its modular scalability and visual impact across different venue sizes. By creating five standardized versions of the LED trees, Victory Church achieved a cohesive visual identity across their multi-campus ministry while adapting to each location’s unique spatial constraints. The mountain silhouette creates a dramatic backdrop that frames the stage without overwhelming the performers or message.

The use of PEX tubing as a diffusion material is particularly clever. Unlike expensive commercial diffusers, PEX is affordable, readily available at any hardware store, and provides excellent light dispersion when properly fitted over LED tape. The partial cut along one side allows the tube to snap securely over the wooden crossbars while maintaining structural integrity.

The electrical tape technique for securing both the LED strips and PEX tubing demonstrates practical problem-solving that volunteer teams can replicate. Rather than relying solely on adhesive that may fail under heat, the tape creates a mechanical bond that withstands the thermal cycling of LED components during extended use.

From a lighting design perspective, the alternating color wiring scheme opens up creative programming possibilities. By wiring every other bar in series, the lighting operator can create chase effects, wave patterns, or split-color looks that add dynamic movement to static scenic elements. This transforms simple geometric shapes into living, breathing stage elements that respond to the worship atmosphere.

If you appreciate the combination of wood and LED lighting in this design, you will also want to explore Radiant Pillars for another creative approach to illuminated wooden stage elements.

Related Designs

• Lit Truss – Another innovative LED lighting design using pixel mapping for dynamic stage effects
• LED by the Crosses – Stunning LED cross design with aluminum extrusion mounting techniques
• Seeing Spots – Circular stage design featuring LED orbs and geometric patterns
• 80’s Points – Geometric lighting design featuring bold angles and programmable LED elements
• LED Cloud – Suspended LED installation creating atmospheric lighting effects

Pro Tips for LED Mountain Stage Designs

Plan for Thermal Management: LED tape generates significant heat when enclosed in tubes or channels. Always ensure adequate ventilation and avoid fully sealing the ends of your diffusion tubes. The heat buildup not only affects LED lifespan but can cause adhesive failure and color shifting over time. Consider drilling small ventilation holes in inconspicuous locations on your scenic elements.

Standardize Your Components: Create a detailed cut list and build guide before starting construction. When building multiple versions of the same scenic element, consistency is key for professional results. Label each piece during fabrication to ensure proper assembly at each campus or venue. This documentation becomes invaluable when repairs or replacements are needed months later.

Test Your Diffusion Materials: Not all PEX tubing diffuses light equally. Test samples from different manufacturers before committing to a large purchase. Some brands produce a more milky, even glow while others may show visible hot spots from individual LEDs. The goal is uniform light distribution that masks the point sources.

Plan Your Power Distribution: Calculate total amperage draw for all LED elements and distribute power supplies accordingly. Voltage drop is a common issue with 5V LED systems, so position power supplies strategically rather than trying to push power through long cable runs. Use appropriate gauge wire and consider voltage injection points for longer runs.

Related: Trussed and Screened – Discover how Simple Church created a stunning cantilevered truss design with ultra-short throw projection for small stage spaces.