Enhancing the Luther Monument in Berlin

Through the Interplay of Architecture, Light, and Art

Proposal for the Negotiated Procedure: Monuments and Memorials, Contracting Authority: GRÜN BERLIN GmbH

Artistic Concept

This proposal is founded on the belief that powerful public spaces do not require many elements.

Rather than elevating Luther above the people, the monument returns him to ground level, restoring a direct human relationship. The sculpture is part of everyday life, inviting reflection rather than reverence. There are no monumental barriers, no stone seating, walls or physical obstacles that separate the figure from the public street. Instead, the design expresses the idea of Volksnähe—Luther among the people.

The intervention is composed of four elements:

• Luther
• The Ground
• A Light Mast
• An Information Point

Concentric circles radiate from the monument, expressing the continuing influence of Luther’s ideas. They represent the outward expansion of his revolutionary thinking—from the individual to society, from the local to the global. The black and white stone circles suggest a pulsating energy going out from Luther’s revolutionary personality and moment in time that resonates today and into the future.

Light is used with precision and restraint. A single luminaire illuminates Luther’s face and the open book, drawing attention to the moment of reading. It symbolises the light of the Reformation—the illumination of knowledge, language and individual thought. Here, light becomes more than illumination; it becomes the medium through which an idea continues to be heard and seen across time.

The illuminated information point provides historical interpretation through text and QR access to further digital content. Its dichroic glass changes continuously with daylight, weather and the movement of the observer, while after dark it becomes a quiet beacon within the square. The monument is therefore never static, but constantly renewed through the changing qualities of natural and artificial light and movement of the viewer.

The result is a place of reflection that is historically sensitive, spatially calm and unmistakably contemporary—a restrained intervention where architecture, art and light work together to make history present and accessible.

Open embedded content from YouTube

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.

Urban Concept for Christmas Lighting in Karlsruhe

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.

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

23.08.2024

Design guidelines for Lehnin Monastery

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.

20.08.2024

Transformation 1.535° COAL