Overview

The CUCA 500 stake by Faro is designed to illuminate pathways, garden edges, entrances, and transit areas outdoors. It is driven directly into the ground and requires no additional structure. The light emerges from above, with an opal diffuser that distributes brightness evenly, without hotspots or harsh shadows.

What sets this luminaire apart is its black stainless steel body: during the day it goes unnoticed among vegetation or over gravel. At night, the dark body visually disappears and only the light remains suspended, as if floating at ground level. This effect requires no special trick — it is simply the result of the architectural design proposed by Faro Lab.

Faro is a Spanish firm with decades of experience in lighting. Its outdoor range combines durable materials with aesthetic sensibility, designed for both private home gardens and more ambitious landscaping projects.

Installation and specifications

Before installing the stake, make sure the ground is free of large stones or shallow roots that could deflect the base. Since it operates at 24 V DC, a compatible external power supply is required. The wiring must be protected underground or through a suitable outdoor conduit. If you are installing several bollards on the same line, calculate the total load before connecting everything to the same transformer. Installation can be carried out by a person with basic electrical knowledge, although it is always advisable to consult a professional if there are any doubts about the electrical wiring.

To keep the body in good condition, clean the surface with a damp, neutral cloth. Avoid abrasive products that could scratch the black finish or affect the opal glass. Periodically check that the base is firmly fixed in the ground, especially after heavy rain or strong wind. Do not handle the connection while the installation is in operation.

• Brand: FARO
• Category: Outdoor
• Subcategory: Surface luminaire
• Fixing: Ground
• Body material: Stainless steel
• Diffuser material: Glass
• Body finish: Black
• Diffuser finish: Opal
• Light source energy class: G
• Maximum power (W): 3
• Light source: COB LED
• Light source included: Yes
• Voltage: 24 V DC
• Colour temperature (K): 2700 K
• Height (mm): 500
• Length (mm): 85
• Depth (mm): 85
• Net weight (kg): 1.67

Design and use

The CUCA 500 stands 50 cm tall and has a square base of 85 x 85 mm. These proportions make it discreet without disappearing entirely during the day — it is there, but does not dominate the space. The stainless steel with black finish provides a real solidity that is noticeable to the touch and holds up well in outdoor conditions over time.

The opal glass diffuser is the component that defines how the light is perceived. Rather than emitting a concentrated beam as a spotlight or point projector would, it distributes brightness gently into the immediate surroundings. The result is a warm pool of light at 2700 K, similar to the colour temperature of a classic incandescent bulb. This tone is especially flattering in a garden because it does not distort the colours of plants or natural ground materials.

The integrated COB LED source consumes only 3 W. For pathway or edge bollards, this output is sufficient to clearly mark the route without flooding the area with artificial light. Several units distributed along a path or terrace create a clean visual rhythm, with no need for any larger lantern.

On a stone or wooden terrace, the bollards work well planted along the edge of the paving. In an interior courtyard with vegetation, the contrast between the black body and the green leaves barely exists during the day, and at night the floating light effect becomes more prominent. In gardens with gravel or bark chippings, the stake integrates easily and does not break the line of the ground.

It also works well as a visual guide at entrances. Placed on both sides of an entry path, the lamp provides orientation without dazzling those arriving on foot. If the entrance has a pergola or covered area, the ground-level lights complement any ceiling luminaire that may already exist at that point.

From a design perspective, the CUCA 500 fits into contemporary settings where materials are understated and lines are clean. It has no ornamentation. It does not imitate traditional lantern or classic street lamp forms. It is a lighting fixture justified by its function and which, at the same time, adds aesthetic coherence to any outdoor space that values discretion over decorative prominence.

Questions and answers

Does the CUCA 500 stake include the power supply for the 24 V DC?

No. The luminaire operates at 24 V DC and comes with the LED light source included, but the external power supply must be purchased separately and must be compatible with that voltage.

Does the opal glass diffuser hold up well with continuous outdoor use?

The opal glass is designed for outdoor use and retains its properties over time if cleaned regularly using non-abrasive products. Avoid direct impacts, as the glass can break under strong blows.

How far apart should several CUCA 500 bollards be placed along a pathway?

It depends on the desired effect, but with 3 W per unit and an opal diffuser, a spacing of between 1 and 1.5 metres is usually sufficient to illuminate the route continuously without leaving dark areas between one bollard and the next.

After-sales support

If the product arrives with a manufacturing defect or develops a problem within the first 30 days, you can request a return or replacement. Each case is handled individually to find the most appropriate solution. Write to us with a description of the problem and, if possible, attach photos. We respond as quickly as possible and look for a practical resolution without unnecessary formalities.

How delivery works

Martsella works with brands and their partner warehouses across Europe. Your order is sent straight from the warehouse that holds the item, so an order with several items may arrive in separate parcels. Each parcel gets its own tracking link.

14-day returns

Changed your mind? You can cancel within 14 days of delivery without giving a reason. How to send items back and what a return costs is on our Returns & Refunds page. If an item is faulty, damaged or not what you ordered, we cover the cost of returning it.

How to cancel

Email info@martsella.com with your order number before the cancellation period ends, or use the model cancellation form on our Returns & Refunds page. You do not have to use the form.