NEWS Link


10.03.2025

GJU university partnership

We recently had a visit from the German Jordanian University (GJU), with whom we have a valuable partnership. We have been closely linked for ten years now as part of a business cooperation.

Students from the Jordanian university regularly complete an internship in our office. This continuous cultural exchange not only enriches the students with valuable practical experience, but also us as a company. Mutual inspiration and intercultural dialog are of great importance to us.

The GJU project office has published two nice articles about the visit to our office, in which both our office and the internship program are presented.

Guidelines for optimising commercial outdoor lighting

Guidelines for optimising commercial outdoor lighting

Our lighting design for a dark sky

Sustainable and environmentally friendly outdoor lighting for commercial and industrial areas offers great potential. Our guide to optimising commercial lighting reduces light pollution – while maintaining safety and efficiency.

The basis is a study carried out by Ruairí O’Brien on behalf of the Brandenburg State Office for the Environment in the Premnitz Industrial Park, located in the Westhavelland Nature and Star Park (approx. 70 km west of Berlin). The region was recognised as Germany’s first star park in 2014 and is committed to preserving natural nocturnal landscapes through responsible lighting. The measures presented here were developed in collaboration with two local companies and serve as a model for other locations.

Core measures:

  • Targeted lighting (only where necessary)
  • Optimised light distribution (minimised light spill)
  • Shielding against stray light
  • Reduced reflection (through darker surfaces)

Advantages:

  • Environmental protection (nature, night and climate)
  • Cost reduction (lower energy consumption)

The guideline serves as a model and is suitable for commercial and industrial areas.

Karlsruhe post

Design of new Christmas lighting for Karlsruhe city centre

Christmas lighting concept for Karlsruhe city centre

The lighting concept for Karlsruhe combines the baroque city centre structure with modern lighting design. Colours, geometric shapes and interactive elements create a unique atmosphere that emphasises the fan layout and at the same time creates a dynamic, sustainable lighting experience.

Baroque fan layout as inspiration

The concept uses the characteristic axes and radial streets to create visual depth and emphasise the symmetry of the city.

Dynamic colour and temperature gradient

  • Warm and cool colour tones alternate along the main axes, creating a subtle composition of light.
  • A gentle transition between gold, red, blue and green reinforces the spatial orientation.

Street identity and ornamentation

  • Each street is given its own lighting characteristics to provide orientation and enhance the cityscape.
  • Light installations with fine ornamental structures pick up on historical elements.

Central vertical axis – Via Triumphalis

  • The castle axis forms the visual centre with elegant, golden lighting.
  • Light projections enhance the vertical effect and create a festive depth.
  • The historical main axis is emphasised by arcs of light, symmetrical projections and a harmonious colour scheme.
  • Warm gold and white tones convey a classic, festive atmosphere and emphasise the historical significance.

Horizontal axis: Kaiserstraße (thermodynamic gradient)

  • A dynamic colour gradient from red (Europa-Platz) to gold (Marktplatz) to blue/green (Berliner Platz) visually guides visitors through the city.
  • The colour temperatures create a flowing movement and highlight the central shopping street.

Radial streets (different identities) – radiating streets

  • Each radial street is given its own colour and light identity that reflects its surroundings.
  • Discreet points of light and interactive installations enliven the side streets and promote a pleasant atmosphere.

Conceptual integration with platonic bodies

  • The five Platonic solids serve as the design basis for the lighting installations:
    • Tetrahedron (Europa-Platz): Moving points of light in warm red tones.
    • Cube (market square): Modular arcs of light in golden nuances.
    • Octahedron (Lammstraße): Interactive columns of light in green.
    • Dodecahedron (Schlossplatz): Projections of star patterns.
    • Icosahedron (Berliner Platz): Light waves in blue and turquoise.

Freestanding constructions

  • Self-supporting lighting columns with geometric elements emphasise the cityscape.
  • Flexible modules enable seasonal adjustments and efficient utilisation.

Interactive and ground-level installations

  • Motion-dependent light sources create a playful experience for visitors.
  • Projections and floor lights enhance the immersive effect of the concept.

Elevated but independent installations

  • Light installations on roofs and façades provide additional spatial depth.
  • Discreet fixtures prevent interference with the existing architecture.

Digital and projection-based solutions

  • Projections on building surfaces and walkways create changeable light landscapes.
  • Digital control enables flexible customisation and energy-efficient operation.

Modular festive furniture

  • Integrated seating with lighting accents promotes quality of stay.
  • Multifunctional elements such as benches and pavilions offer comfort and aesthetics.

Material and safety aspects

Safety concepts ensure smooth operation in heavily frequented areas.

Robust, weather-resistant materials ensure long-term use.

Sustainable LED technology reduces energy consumption and light pollution.

Transformation 1.535° more pictures

Transformation 1.535°

Lighting design for the new Kunstguss Lauchhammer experience centre


Dresden International Airport – Departure terminal lighting concept

Dresden International Airport – Lighting concept for the departure terminal

Our lighting concept for Terminal 1 at Dresden International Airport aims to build a bridge to the future. In addition to technical lighting to ensure traffic safety, precise light differentiation of individual areas, levels and elements helps travellers find their way around.

The architectural lighting design emphasises the spatial quality and the unmistakable industrial architecture of the terminal and underlines the uniqueness of Dresden Airport. It supports the positioning of the airport as a modern, open and future-orientated location of international stature.

The lighting concept combines technical lighting and light art to visually depict themes such as flying, the sky and mobility and to create a symbolic link between the past, present and future. This concept gives the previously anonymous hall a narrative dimension that offers a special experience for air travellers from all over the world.

The flying carpet“,(a carpet of light) consisting of numerous curved downlights under the hall roof, creatively provides adequate illumination of the floor and creates a unique aesthetic. A “cloud of light immerses the entrance hall in dynamically changing lighting moods and uses reflective moving elements to create a constantly changing interplay of light and shadow, which has a fascinating effect both in natural daylight and with artificial lighting.

A light and glass sculpture, made of holographic and dichroic elements, enables visitors to be symbolically beamed into the universe.

Client: Flughafen Dresden GmbH

Services provided: Terminal 2017 lighting concept

Design guidelines for Lehnin Monastery

23.08.2024

Design guidelines for Lehnin Monastery

Kloster Lehnin is a municipality in Brandenburg, about an hour from Berlin city centre. The district of Lehnin owes its origins to the former Cistercian monastery, the oldest monastery in the Mark Brandenburg, which was founded in 1180 and secularised during the Reformation in 1542. Since 1911, it has been home to the Luise-Henrietten-Stift, a Protestant deaconess house.

Our task is to draw up a design guideline for the town planning office to guide the future development of the neighbouring buildings, houses and businesses in the small town of Lehnin in harmony with the listed monastery ensemble. The aim is to preserve the architectural heritage and at the same time enable the use of contemporary technologies, such as the integration of photovoltaics. A key issue is the sensitive positioning and installation of solar modules in the historic roofscape and the preservation of Lehnin’s special street character, including the protection and adaptation of the vegetation in the townscape with regard to climatic changes.

We carry out the necessary on-site surveys and inspections and liaise with specialist authorities. In addition, we support the municipality in the implementation of the process, assist with public and official participation, prepare draft texts for announcements and meeting documents and analyse the comments. The project period runs from April 2024 to December 2024.

Transformation 1.535° ERZ

Transformation 1.535° ERZ

Lighting design for the new Kunstguss Lauchhammer experience centre

We are pleased to announce that we have been selected to join the team of experts working on the ambitious “Transformation 1.535°” project in Lauchhammer, Brandenburg, Germany. This extensive project spans two sites: “ERZ” (ORE) with art casting museum, art foundry and Friedenskirche in Lauchhammer-Ost (13.8 ha) and “KOHLE” (COAL) with bio-towers, activated sludge basin and relic park in Lauchhammer-West (32.2 ha).

Our contribution to the planning and development team is the creation and implementation of the lighting concepts for the public space, the landscaping, the art casting museum, the new “Education and Experience Centre for Art Casting and Industrial Culture” and the famous listed bio-towers (see picture).

The “Transformation 1.535°” project is one of the most ambitious cultural and tourism initiatives in Germany, if not in Europe. Its aim is to transform the remnants of East Germany’s coal industry history into a vibrant centre for art, education and tourism.

An important part of this project is the expansion of the Lauchhammer Art Casting Museum into an “Education and Experience Centre for Art Casting and Industrial Culture”. This centre will honour the region’s rich industrial heritage while promoting modern educational and cultural experiences.

The Biotowers, a unique and impressive example of East German industrial culture, are at the centre of this transformation.

These structures, which once bore witness to the region’s industrial prowess, will be brought back to life through exhibitions, information programmes and innovative lighting concepts so that they can be preserved and appreciated for future generations.

We are delighted to be able to contribute to this epoch-making project and to contribute to its sustainable and holistic success with our expertise in the communicative and aesthetic power of architectural lighting design.stay tuned for more updates on this exciting journey!

Transformation 1.535° COAL

20.08.2024

Transformation 1.535° COAL

Lighting design for the new Kunstguss Lauchhammer experience centre

We are pleased to announce that we have been selected to join the team of experts working on the ambitious “Transformation 1.535°” project in Lauchhammer, Brandenburg, Germany. This extensive project spans two sites: “ERZ” (ORE) with art casting museum, art foundry and Friedenskirche in Lauchhammer-Ost (13.8 ha) and “KOHLE” (COAL) with bio-towers, activated sludge basin and relic park in Lauchhammer-West (32.2 ha).

Our contribution to the planning and development team is the creation and implementation of the lighting concepts for the public space, the landscaping, the art casting museum, the new “Education and Experience Centre for Art Casting and Industrial Culture” and the famous listed bio-towers (see picture).

The “Transformation 1.535°” project is one of the most ambitious cultural and tourism initiatives in Germany, if not in Europe. Its aim is to transform the remnants of East Germany’s coal industry history into a vibrant centre for art, education and tourism.

An important part of this project is the expansion of the Lauchhammer Art Casting Museum into an “Education and Experience Centre for Art Casting and Industrial Culture”. This centre will honour the region’s rich industrial heritage while promoting modern educational and cultural experiences.

The Biotowers, a unique and impressive example of East German industrial culture, are at the centre of this transformation.

These structures, which once bore witness to the region’s industrial prowess, will be brought back to life through exhibitions, information programmes and innovative lighting concepts so that they can be preserved and appreciated for future generations.

We are delighted to be able to contribute to this epoch-making project and to contribute to its sustainable and holistic success with our expertise in the communicative and aesthetic power of architectural lighting design.stay tuned for more updates on this exciting journey!

read more here

St. Josef Church

Lighting concept for St.Josef Church Dresden

Reconstruction and expansion of the St. Josef Dresden-Pieschen parish center


Space of encounter (Baptismal font)


Community hall


Chapel


Community center


Transport area


Old Cotton Flöha

Old Cotton Flöha

lighting design presented for urban development funding day

On Saturday, May 4th, 2024, the City Funding Day took place again across Germany. Always a good opportunity to experience the funded projects directly on site.

We supported the city of Flöha with visualizations, the redesign of the Old Cotton with the day and night lighting concept by Ruairí O’Brien. Presenting lighting design to the public.

With the help of QR codes on four different banners that were hung around the construction site, visitors could and can take a look into the future and explore the new marketplace for themselves, day and night, from four different perspectives in 3D format. The banners and perspectives will continue to be visible in the future. View here