SWARM STUDY / IX

Apr 11, 2023

SWARM STUDY / IX

Chemnitz, Germany
Artificial Lighting & Lighting Control

Architect: Grüntuch Ernst Architekten
Light Art: Random International, London
Completion year: 2016
Images: Jan Bitter

The reconstruction of the main railway station in Chemnitz was intended to combine local and long-distance transport in one building, and to create an entrance to the city that connects itself to urban space in a special way.

Swarm Study / IX, stages the renovated main railway station in Chemnitz, Germany, which appears as an interactive LED façade which incorporates the movements of the surrounding and projects them as light movements on the façade. The artists were fascinated by the acrobatic efficiency of birdwings and translate them into this work with monochrome light in a minimalist way. Each individual light source in the façade is brought into collective “life”: when the swarm moves across the surface, each element acts according to its own rules as well as in constant dialogue with its surrounding neighbours.

German Lighting Design Award 2017: Finalist
IES Illumination Awards 2017: International Merit
LIT Awards 2017: Winners in Exterior Architectural Illumination
DARC Awards 2017: Finalist in Best Exterior Lighting Scheme

The reconstruction of the main railway station in Chemnitz was intended to combine local and long-distance transport in one building, and to create an entrance to the city that connects itself to urban space in a special way.

Swarm Study / IX, stages the renovated main railway station in Chemnitz, Germany, which appears as an interactive LED façade which incorporates the movements of the surrounding and projects them as light movements on the façade. The artists were fascinated by the acrobatic efficiency of birdwings and translate them into this work with monochrome light in a minimalist way. Each individual light source in the façade is brought into collective “life”: when the swarm moves across the surface, each element acts according to its own rules as well as in constant dialogue with its surrounding neighbours.

German Lighting Design Award 2017: Finalist
IES Illumination Awards 2017: International Merit
LIT Awards 2017: Winners in Exterior Architectural Illumination
DARC Awards 2017: Finalist in Best Exterior Lighting Scheme

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PCK REFINERY SCHWEDT

Apr 10, 2023

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PCK REFINERY SCHWEDT

Schwedt, Germany
Artificial Lighting, Daylighting & Lighting Control

Client: PCK Refinery Schwedt
Images: Oliver Voigt, Lichtvision
Completion year: 2016

The PCK oil refinery northeast of Berlin has reconstructed and modernized its control room, covering approximately 1000 m². The windowless bunker-like building, protected against fire and explosions, is used by six teams working in three shifts around the clock. Transparent glass walls ensure visibility of the entire space. To enhance this effect, wall washers have been installed along the perimeter.

Each of the 26 workstations is illuminated by two pendant lights, positioned between the workstations. Employees can individually adjust the brightness of the direct light (3000K), while the indirect lighting (4000K) is controlled at the team level. All lights are connected to a KNX system via DALI drivers. To avoid a bunker-like atmosphere, digital windows and a virtual sky were added. The video server randomly adds effects such as a passing airplane, birds, a hot-air balloon, or festive elements, creating a pleasant working environment.

German Lighting Design Awards 2017: Award for Innovation
Designpreis Brandenburg 2017: 1. Place Lighting Design
IES Illumination 2018: Award of Merit
Codega International Lighting Design Awards 3rd Place
WIN Awards 2018: Finalist

The PCK oil refinery northeast of Berlin has reconstructed and modernized its control room, covering approximately 1000 m². The windowless bunker-like building, protected against fire and explosions, is used by six teams working in three shifts around the clock. Transparent glass walls ensure visibility of the entire space. To enhance this effect, wall washers have been installed along the perimeter.

Each of the 26 workstations is illuminated by two pendant lights, positioned between the workstations. Employees can individually adjust the brightness of the direct light (3000K), while the indirect lighting (4000K) is controlled at the team level. All lights are connected to a KNX system via DALI drivers.

To avoid a bunker-like atmosphere, digital windows and a virtual sky were added. The video server randomly adds effects such as a passing airplane, birds, a hot-air balloon, or festive elements, creating a pleasant working environment.

German Lighting Design Awards 2017: Award for Innovation
Designpreis Brandenburg 2017: 1. Place Lighting Design
IES Illumination 2018: Award of Merit
Codega International Lighting Design Awards 3rd Place
WIN Awards 2018: Finalist

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SAARPOLYGON

Apr 10, 2023

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SAARPOLYGON

Duhamel, Germany
Artificial Lighting

Architect: Pfeiffer Sachse Architekten
Completion year: 2016
Images: Tom Gundelwein; Jan Siefke

The Saarpolygon is an icon for the profound change which the industrial region of the Saarland has experienced since the cessation of coal mining in 2012. The monument symbolizes the age-old tradition of Saarland coal mining in the Saarland and the related steel and energy industry.The walkable sculpture, made of steel, is perceived from afar as the tip of coal dump both day and night since at dark the sculpture is illuminated from inside. The construction and the material of the impressive structure represent a reminiscence of the industrial architecture.

The topic of change influenced the shape of the landmark. The perception changes depending on the point of view and of the time of the day and is strongly intensified by the lighting concept.

IES Illumination Awards 2017: International Merit
LIT Awards 2017: Winner in Energy Saving Lighting
LAMP Awards 2017: Finalist
Darc Award 2017: Best Exterior Lighting Scheme Finalist

The Saarpolygon is an icon for the profound change which the industrial region of the Saarland has experienced since the cessation of coal mining in 2012. The monument symbolizes the age-old tradition of Saarland coal mining in the Saarland and the related steel and energy industry.The walkable sculpture, made of steel, is perceived from afar as the tip of coal dump both day and night since at dark the sculpture is illuminated from inside. The construction and the material of the impressive structure represent a reminiscence of the industrial architecture.

The topic of change influenced the shape of the landmark. The perception changes depending on the point of view and of the time of the day and is strongly intensified by the lighting concept.

IES Illumination Awards 2017: International Merit
LIT Awards 2017: Winner in Energy Saving Lighting
LAMP Awards 2017: Finalist
Darc Award 2017: Best Exterior Lighting Scheme Finalist

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FEDERAL MINISTRY OF INTERIOR

Apr 10, 2023

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FEDERAL MINISTRY OF INTERIOR

Berlin, Germany
Artificial Lighting

Architect: Thomas Müller Ivan Reimann Architekten
Completion year: 2015
Images: Stefan Mueller

The lighting supports different daylight situations and accentuates the sequence of different rooms. The line is an essential formal element of the lighting concept. A circumferential band of light in the atria increases the spatial impact. A comparable frame of light can be found in the conference rooms. Vertical flush-mounted lightlines illuminate corridors and stairwells.
As a contrast, the lights in the canteen and the cafeteria have been arranged freely. The Ministry is illuminated representatively to the outside by its interior lighting. The lighting of the entrances to the building and of the city square is integrated into the architectural elements.

The German Lighting Design Award 2017: Nomination

The lighting supports different daylight situations and accentuates the sequence of different rooms. The line is an essential formal element of the lighting concept. A circumferential band of light in the atria increases the spatial impact. A comparable frame of light can be found in the conference rooms. Vertical flush-mounted light lines illuminate corridors and stairwells.
As a contrast, the lights in the canteen and the cafeteria have been arranged freely. The Ministry is illuminated representatively to the outside by its interior lighting. The lighting of the entrances to the building and of the city square is integrated into the architectural elements.

The German Lighting Design Award 2017: Nomination

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GERMAN SCHOOL MADRID

Apr 10, 2023

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GERMAN SCHOOL MADRID

Madrid, Spain 
Artificial Lighting

Architect: Grüntuch Ernst Architekten
Completion year: 2015
Images: Lichtvision

The German School in Madrid was founded in 1896 and is one of the oldest and largest German schools abroad. It consists of an ensemble of three main buildings which surround a patio: high school, elementary school and kindergarten. A vestibule serves as connection between the cafeteria, auditorium and four-court sports hall. The architecture is characterized by the pentagonal design language, white exposed concrete, glass, aluminum and the omnipresence of light and landscape. Lighting design supports harmoniously the design themes of the architecture and differentiates sensitively and playfully both the buildings for younger and for older pupils. The interaction of daylight and artificial light in the classrooms, corridors and inner courtyards fascinates by its naturalness.

IES Illumination Award International Merit 2017

The German School in Madrid was founded in 1896 and is one of the oldest and largest German schools abroad. It consists of an ensemble of three main buildings which surround a patio: high school, elementary school and kindergarten. A vestibule serves as connection between the cafeteria, auditorium and four-court sports hall. The architecture is characterized by the pentagonal design language, white exposed concrete, glass, aluminum and the omnipresence of light and landscape. Lighting design supports harmoniously the design themes of the architecture and differentiates sensitively and playfully both the buildings for younger and for older pupils. The interaction of daylight and artificial light in the classrooms, corridors and inner courtyards fascinates by its naturalness.

IES Illumination Award International Merit 2017

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