Efficient LED luminaires light high-ceilinged, history-la den public buildings – an exciting contrast.
Nimbus‘ formally reduced, suspended LED luminaires are ideal for imposing rooms in public buildings. Besides their particular aesthetic appeal – puristic design in a historical
atmosphere – they also provide tangible benefits: they create pleasant general lighting and, at the same time, are extremely energy efficient. They also require practically no maintenance.
Public buildings – buildings in which many people gather for all sorts of reasons: for representative purposes, to celebrate, to learn, to inform.
Their rooms are therefore equipped and dimensioned to impress. High,airy lobbies, stately halls, grand auditoria. Many of these buildings are now getting on in years and the challenge facing designers and architects is to modernise them with sensitivity while bringing them up to the latest technological standard. Light plays a major role here both in terms of aesthetic aspects and the energy concept.
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Old and new in harmony – new light solution at the Technical University of Munich
The building in which the 360-seat Friedrich von Tiersch lecture theatreis situated at the Technical University of Munich was completed around about 1917 and is now protected by a preservation order. Since April 2011, lecture theatre 2300 has basked in a new light. In his capacity as the architect in charge of planning, Anton Streit-Britschgi supervised the
project on behalf of the Munich Building Authority and saw his main task as harmonising old and new: the historic seating was left as it was but the lighting was renewed. The choice was made in favour of Nimbus LED luminaires, not only because of their technology, aesthetics and economic efficiency but also in large part due to the fact that they require little maintenance. Previously, it had been repeatedly necessary to erect scaffolding to replace faulty lamps in a room reaching eight metres in height. There is now no need for this costly work. That is because LEDs have a very long lifetime of around 50,000 hours – 50 times longer than that of a traditional light bulb – and so maintenance requirements compared to conventional lighting are drastically minimised. In combination with the
high level of efficiency achieved by Nimbus luminaires, which noticeably reduce energy consumption, this leads to significant potential savings.
Elegant luminaires – despite large dimensions
The architect Anton Streit-Britschgi was enthralled by the new light. It is intensive and yet comes across as warm. Moreover, the dimming function allows a wide range of variety in the lighting atmosphere. Although large in size, the Q 144 and 400 XL luminaires suspended from the ceiling are just 8 millimetres thick and make an extremely elegant impression on the beholder; they also blend in perfectly with this historical room -although with a surface area of almost 100 x 100 cm (400 XL) they are pretty sizeable. The elongated Modul L 63 was used under the gallery, following the rows of seating.
Council building in Reutlingen – LED s accentuate public rooms
The Reutlingen council building from the year 1966 was also due for renovation. LED luminaires were included as early as the planning for the successful competition entry submitted by the well-known firm of architects hg merz. Nimbus LED luminaires were selected and have now lit up the council chamber and the foyer, that is to say the most prestigious rooms in the building, since 2011.
Impressive figures
The Stuttgart lighting designer Hans-Peter Beutelspacher made the following calculation for the Reutlingen council building: the long lifetime of the LEDs in combination with an estimated 780 hours of use per year means that the luminaires will not have to be replaced for 64 years.
Lines of LED light
The general lighting in the large council chamber is provided by suspended square Q 144 XL luminaires. Their direct and indirect beams of light bathe the entire council chamber in uniform light while illuminating the heavily structured wooden ceiling. The effect of the ceiling did not really come to the fore until the new luminaires were installed. One attractive
detail was already there prior to the renovation: the indirect lighting from the wall joint. However, the edges of the ceiling are now also illuminated by an uninterrupted line of LED light. The light is flexible and controllable as the lighting system can be switched and dimmed in groups.In the large foyer, there is a very direct correspondence between architecture and lighting with a large round Modul R 265 XL suspended luminaire
hanging under each round skylight. Again, the additional indirect light illuminates the ceiling, making the room appear considerably more generously dimensioned than it actually is. The HAP Grieshaber woodcuts in the foyer also benefit from this arrangement. Previously, they had needed their own spotlights but, thanks to the extra brightness, this is no longer
necessary.
Haus der Wirtschaft in Stuttgart: fascinating light effect
The situation is similar in the Haus der Wirtschaft, a listed building in Stuttgart. Round Modul R suspended luminaires have lit the Steinbeis level since 2010 – exuding a sense of excitement yet managing to remain discreet. Visitors reach the spacious Steinbeis level directly via the building‘
s main steps. On this level, the historical vaulted ceilings are highlighted by special LED profiles on the architraves atop the pillars – a fascinating overall picture.
Reprint free of charge / File copy requested
Stuttgart, February 2012
