Avenida Poznán

Transformation through Lighting Design

The modernization of Avenida Poznán demonstrates how carefully considered interventions in daylight and artificial lighting can not only improve functionality but also redefine the atmosphere of a shopping mall. Three key measures were at the heart of the project: regulating daylight, introducing a dynamic LED lighting concept, and redesigning the lounge.

Project Details

Daylight Shading in the Food Court and Atrium

In the overexposed areas of the food court and the large atrium, an innovative shading concept was implemented. Special films that filter more than 90% of sunlight significantly reduce glare and thermal load. Since the films were applied only to the south-facing roof sections, the spaces still benefit from ample brightness. The result is a balanced, contrast-rich lighting atmosphere that makes the environment more comfortable and inviting.

Dynamic Lighting Concept with LED and Casambi

The outdated HIT lighting system was completely replaced with modern LED luminaires featuring Tunable White technology. For the first time, this made it possible to realize a daylight-dynamic lighting concept within the mall. Light color and intensity now adapt automatically to natural daylight, creating a harmonious connection between indoors and outdoors. By switching to the Casambi control system, flexible and partially sensor-based regulation became possible, enhancing both energy efficiency and the overall sense of well-being.

Redesign of the Avenida Lounge

Although the two-story lounge had already been attractively remodeled, its general lighting was unsuitable. Cool-white 4000 K luminaires with wide beam angles created a sterile atmosphere, undermining the lounge’s intended role as a retreat. These were replaced with numerous small, warm-white accent spotlights that generate playful light surfaces and a dynamic interplay of brightness and shadow. In addition, a custom-made light wallpaper was applied to the columns, providing pleasant vertical luminance and further structuring the space. Together, these elements transformed the lounge into an atmospheric highlight that draws visitors in.
With these three measures, Avenida Poznán was revitalized both functionally and atmospherically — a successful example of how lighting design can simultaneously enhance comfort, energy efficiency, and architectural expression. Photos and Video: Marc André Stiebel

From Retro to Smart – Renovation with Subsidy-Eligible Lighting Design

Lighting Design for the Allee-Center in Remscheid

Light that transforms spaces: beneath the glass barrel vaults, a play of transparency and warmth unfolds, complemented by elegant accents in the lounge areas. A concept that creates atmosphere, highlights pathways, and bathes the evening in gentle light.

Project Details

Invisible General Lighting

Under the striking glass roofs of the Allee-Center, a lighting solution was implemented that integrates almost invisibly into the architecture. The luminaires are concealed within a delicate profile system, blending harmoniously with the structural framework. Thanks to innovative “Darklight” reflectors, perfect glare control is achieved—a technology originally developed for computer workstations and now applied in a shopping mall for the first time. The result: uniform, glare-free illumination that opens up the space without dominating the architecture.

Multifunctional Wall Luminaires

The newly developed wall luminaires replace the old fixtures and impress with their minimalist design language and high functionality. They not only provide general lighting for circulation areas but can also be switched to event lighting—without any complex modifications. An integrated uplight unit adds dynamic color accents to the ceiling, giving the space depth and atmosphere. The result is a flexible lighting system that combines efficiency with design versatility.

Lounge Areas with Character

The lounge zones feature decorative pendant luminaires with fabric shades, creating a warm and inviting ambiance. This custom design ensures perfect illumination of the shade while directing light precisely onto seating areas. Practical detail: the shade can be removed without tools when the space is repurposed for events. With a luminous efficacy of 120 lm/W, these luminaires are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly efficient—meeting the requirements of current BEG subsidy programs.

Harmonious Transitions

Special attention was given to adaptation zones between daylight and artificial light. Adjustable day-night luminaires create a balanced lighting climate. Set to “sun mode,” they provide a bright, welcoming transition that eliminates dark areas and offers visitors a pleasant spatial experience. The light feels vibrant and dynamic without being overwhelming—ideal for a relaxed shopping atmosphere.

Evening Ambience

As night falls, the lighting concept transforms into a captivating scene. Warm white tones between 2,200 and 2,700 Kelvin create a calming effect, while the deep blue illumination of the glass roofs adds a striking contrast. The combination of recessed spotlights and narrow-beam downlights produces an elegant composition that makes evenings at the center a special experience.

Intelligent Control

The entire lighting concept is managed via the wireless CASAMBI control system. A custom-designed user interface allows facility management to operate the system intuitively and schedule time-based lighting scenes. Different moods for day, evening, and events can be activated with ease—efficient, convenient, and future-proof.

100% FOR NATURE – 90% LESS ENERGY

“Am Schanzenberg” in Saarbrücken sets new standards in environmentally friendly street lighting

As the capital of Saarland, Saarbrücken is investing in smart city concepts. A flagship project is an intelligent lighting system for the newly emerging district “Am Schanzenberg”: it protects people and nature – and saves up to 90% in energy costs.

Project Details

From industrial area to innovative creative hub

Since 2022, a modern urban district has been developing on the former exhibition grounds of Saarbrücken, covering an area of 80,000 m². The “Am Schanzenberg” district will combine offices, commercial and residential spaces, as well as gastronomy, including infrastructure and building technology – with a total usable area of 125,000 m².

Safety, well-being, and preserving the Dark Sky

How can such an up-and-coming neighborhood be illuminated in a resource-efficient and sustainable way, so that it feels pleasant and safe for people while also protecting flora and fauna? An intelligently controlled, networked, and adaptive lighting system meets all these requirements. Unnecessary stray light is not emitted into the night sky, preserving the Dark Sky.

The circadian rhythm – our internal clock – governs life

Another important aspect for both humans and nature is the color of street lighting. Until now, cool white light has been predominantly used, as it was considered more efficient and cost-effective. However, we now know that humans and nature are closely connected to the natural day-night rhythm. People are accustomed to cool, activating light during the day and warmer, calming light in the evening. Bats, for example, which have their natural habitat near Schanzenberg, would perceive overly bright, cold light from the nearby highway as a barrier, preventing them from reaching feeding grounds beyond it.

Light colors adapted to seasons and living beings

Is there a sensible alternative to cold white light in urban lighting? Research has shown that many insect species lack receptors for long-wave red light. Moreover, warmer light is sufficient for humans to recognize essential things in the dark. For the Schanzenberg project, a partnership was formed with a lighting manufacturer specializing in circadian-oriented outdoor lighting. From spring to autumn, light with a higher red component is used, which benefits insects and nocturnal animals. In the colder winter months, when insect activity decreases, bluer, more energy-efficient light is used.

Adaptive lighting provides light only when needed: resulting in up to 90% energy savings

What demonstrably reduces energy consumption by up to 90% is the use of adaptive lighting. The circadian light profiles are equipped with sensors and managed via external telemanagement. They operate using a radio-based mesh system: with each additional luminaire, the network expands, and each individual light is GPS-tracked with accessible statistics. Light intensity increases only when sensors detect movement, such as pedestrians, cars, or other road users. The lighting plan includes various programming options, allowing the lights to be dimmed or even turned off completely after 11 p.m. As of July 2025, approximately 80% of the total required light poles have been successfully installed.

Photos: Marc André Stiebel

Adaptive lighting – a guide for retail stores

Möbel Martin in Ensdorf only uses light when needed – via radio-controlled sensors

Following several joint projects with Möbel Martin, the Ensdorf branch is now the first furniture store to use adaptive lighting. Sensors detect the movement of visitors and activate the lighting accordingly. The result: daylight-dynamic lighting that is both inviting and highly energy-efficient.

project details

MAXIMUM COMFORT THROUGH INTELLIGENT LIGHT

Innovative solutions have already been implemented for the furniture store chain in the past, most recently the integration of a radio-based control concept for the branch in Konz. Möbel Martin wanted a future-oriented lighting solution for Ensdorf that would be energy-efficient and ensure a high quality of stay with good visual comfort. Based on the positive results in Konz, the approach of radio-based lighting control was consistently continued.

LIGHT BEAMS THAT MOVE WITH YOU

The adaptive lighting design in Konz is based on radio-controlled sensors that detect the movement of people. The immediate surroundings are illuminated with a maximum of 100%. For the entire sales area, the minimum value is 30% to create a feel-good atmosphere with invitingly lit lines of sight without harsh contrasts or dark areas. Moving light beams are created by grouping the luminaires into luminaire circles that can be detected by different sensors. These overlapping areas allow the light to follow the movement of the person.

CUSTOM-MADE SPECIAL LUMINAIRES

The special luminaires developed for the project can only be swivelled on one axis and do not protrude from the grid ceilings. This prevents glare and creates a calm ceiling appearance. Thanks to the lighting design, there is no need to rehang or realign the luminaires. The products are illuminated with a similar high contrast to that found in a museum, and the traffic areas do not require any lighting. Only in the entrance area was the transition designed to facilitate the adaptation from daylight to artificial light.

REPLICATING DAYLIGHT

The luminaires work with Tunable White and allow precise control of illuminance and color temperature within a range of 2,700 to 5,000 Kelvin. This biodynamic tracking of daylight has a positive effect on customers and employees. The luminaires feature LEDs with very high color rendering for authentic color and surface recognition.

EFFECTIVE RENOVATION IN EXISTING BUILDINGS

The radio-based lighting control system with Casambi allowed flexible commissioning in the existing building, and existing supply lines could be used. Luminaires and sensors are networked in a radio mesh, and control is decentralized in each individual participant in the mesh, meaning that no additional control is necessary for normal operation. Even after completion, it is possible to respond to individual requests at any time.

LIGHTING CONTROL WITH ADDED VALUE

In addition to interfaces to the fire and burglar alarm system, the higher-level lighting control system also provides important data for the company. It provides information on visitor frequency and energy consumption, which can be determined for each lighting circuit. This enables the furniture store to record consumption values and visitor flows.

SUSTAINABLE AND EFFICIENT SYSTEM

The conversion from HIT light sources to highly efficient LED luminaires brings savings of around 40%. With an efficiency of 120 lm/W, the luminaires meet the requirements for possible federal government funding for efficient buildings (BEG). The adaptive lighting concept using sensors delivers a further 30% in energy savings. The special luminaires are resource-efficient, as fewer luminaires are required to achieve the same lighting quality. Thanks to their easy retrofitting, installation and maintenance costs are reduced. The focus on these ecological aspects also contributes to greater customer loyalty. This project stands out in one aspect in particular: with the help of lighting design, energy consumption has been adapted to the user's perspective. Photos: Tom Gundelwein

Ingenious combination of light and ventilation

Product design for NoLimit Plus

The NoLimit Plus lighting system elegantly combines two important ceiling design components: lighting and ventilation. The basis is a plasterboard panel with an integrated aluminium profile. The perfectly formed edge of the profile guarantees easy processing and ensures a clean ceiling layout. The founders of this innovative product platform are InstaLighting as a luminaire manufacturer and developer of the NoLimit lighting system, Tobias Link GmbH as a lighting design firm and product designer, NEXFOUR as a specialist in built-in rails in drywall panels and Kampmann as an expert in ventilation and air-conditioning technology.

The best light for the highest culinary standards

schanz.restaurant celebrates good food at three-star level. Perfect illumination sets the scene for gourmet art.

As part of the redesign of his three-star restaurant on the Moselle, Thomas Schanz relied on noble interiors and atmospheric lighting. The light is so finely adjusted that it transforms every plate into a stage for delicacies - and itself remains discreetly in the background.

project Details

GASTRONOMIC REFINEMENT

In Piesport on the Moselle, gourmets will find a top address for upscale enjoyment: Thomas Schanz runs his restaurant and hotel there as a family business. He has already received several awards for his culinary compositions, and in 2022 the Michelin Guide awarded him three stars. Even before the current redesign of his restaurant, Tobias Link GmbH was entrusted with the lighting design..

PERCEIVABLE THROUGH ALL SENSES

The main actors within the lighting concept are the dishes, which are draped delicately on the plate and transport the guest into a world full of culinary delights. Each dish was to shine in all natural colours, glare-free and with the best visual quality. An ambience full of intimacy was desired via the light, which makes it possible to recognise one's counterpart well while at the same time gently fading out the surroundings.

"INVISIBLE" LIGHT FROM THE CEILING

The interior was designed by the architectural studio Britta Tibo. Materials such as slate and oak wood, bronze-coloured fabrics and light natural tones characterise the interior. In addition, there is a dark floor, which also appears in the ceiling colours. Darkening the ceiling was part of the lighting concept in order to integrate the main light there "invisibly". The ideal luminaire was found in the form of a glare-reduced recessed spotlight from Dydell. It provides a narrow beam angle (20°/40°) as well as high colour rendering via CRI 90 and can be controlled via Casambi. The luminaire can be flexibly adjusted and provides an extremely small light outlet of only 8 mm in diameter. The entire concept is based on this one luminaire type.

PRIVATE ISLANDS OF LIGHT

The light is directed towards the centre of each table. The food is always the centre of attention, and at the same time the reflection across the table surface is sufficient to illuminate the faces of the people. The mood of the room lives from these deliberately placed islands of light. The colour temperature is 3000 K, the luminaires are dimmable. If required, individual tables can be lit individually via the Casambi control system while the overall harmonious impression is maintained.

HOMAGE TO THE REGION

With translucent curtains, it is possible to separate tables a little. In the evening, the delicate fabric appears as a luminous waterfall: spotlights cast fine scattered light downwards from the upper cove. This design element is intended to be reminiscent of the waters of the Moselle.

ALL IN HARMONY

After dark, it is pleasant for restaurant guests to still be able to see the exterior from the inside. Thanks to the low vertical lighting, very little is reflected in the windows. The lighting outside only covers selected details. A grazing light runs from below over the natural stone pillars, bollard luminaires draw graphic light patterns on the floor of the terrace. In interaction, this creates a harmonious transition.

Photos: Susanne Schug

Möbel Martin in Konz with a new control concept

Daylight determines the artificial lighting – BLE controls it.

Back in 2015, we were able to introduce a dynamic daylight lighting concept in a furniture store as part of the modernisation of Möbel Martin in Kaiserslautern. 
This was so successful that we have now been able to implement it for the third time in one of the operator's furniture stores covering more than 30,000 m².

project Details

THE SUN REGULATES THE LIGHTING

The lighting concept provides for a seasonal and circadian tracking of the artificial light. For this purpose, we control the colour temperature and illuminance in the individual departments. In addition, we also react to special requirements. In the kitchen department, for example, with its large selection of surfaces, it is important that these can be evaluated as well as under daylight. In the lounge area, cosiness is important, and in the areas with daylight it is important that the adaptation areas are dynamically adjusted for a high level of visual comfort to ensure a pleasant transition from daylight to artificial light.

CONVERSION DURING OPERATION

Since the project involved a conversion during ongoing business operations, in which department after department was modernised over a construction period of 6 months, we decided on a radio-based control concept with CASAMBI. Normally, it is only at the end of a refurbishment that lighting can be put into operation via a control system and then final lighting scenes can be set. However, this often leads to luminaires without a control system creating an uncontrolled lighting climate during the conversion phase. Since we closed, converted and reopened department after department in a weekly rhythm, we always wanted a fully functional lighting concept immediately after completion. This was achieved very well with Casambi, because it equips the luminaire with control competence right from the start. Another advantage of this radio-based solution was that no control cables had to be laid. In addition to reducing costs, this also significantly reduced the fire load in the ceilings.

If we look at the project in retrospect and compare it with other projects that have been implemented with wired controls, we can say that it has never been so easy and cost-efficient to put a project into operation.

Photos: Tom Gundelwein

From a beer garden to a cool shopping experience

The redesign of the OEZ in Munich

The Olympia shopping centre in Munich, owned by ECE Marketplaces GmbH & Co.KG, was refurbished. A new design structure and a new energy-saving and almost maintenance-free artificial lighting concept were created.

details of project

INSPIRING LIGHTING CLIMATE

Spacious adaptation areas were created at all entrance areas, which pick up visitors from the respective daylight situation and accompany them into the artificial light. The lighting climate in the mall was designed in the sense of "Human Centric Lighting" and was also deliberately designed to be much more contrasting and diverse than would be implemented in normal interiors, for example. As this is a mall where a shopping experience is to be created, all decorative ceiling elements were equipped with lighting technology so that spacious diffuse light surfaces were created on the ceiling, equipped with sufficient luminous fluxes to simulate the natural sky. These were supplemented with luminaires that produce brilliant directional light and thus imitate the proportion of direct sunlight from nature. All luminaires are equipped with mixable white light from 1,800 K- 6,500 K and are infinitely dimmable. A lighting control system takes over the direction of all artificial light and adapts it to natural daylight in terms of illuminance and colour temperature. The mixture of different types of light ensures that a vitalising and inviting lighting climate is created at all times.

BEER GARDEN ATMOSPHERE FOR CONNOISEURS

Light objects such as a "pergola" that covers a seating area also create tension and analogies to the location. It symbolises the classic Munich beer garden and invites people to relax and enjoy each other's company. In the different areas of the mall, light objects repeatedly attract attention and provide variety. For example, there are "hovering light whirls" or oversized floor luminaires that decorate the air spaces of the high galleries. Light objects such as a "pergola" that covers a seating area also create tension and analogies to the location. It symbolises the classic Munich beer garden and invites people to relax and enjoy each other's company. In the different areas of the mall, light objects repeatedly attract attention and provide variety. For example, there are " suspended light whirls" or oversized floor luminaires that decorate the air spaces of the high galleries.

LUMINAIRE DESIGN DURABLE AND EASY TO MAINTAIN

With regard to sustainability, the lighting designers designed all the surface luminaires in a special luminaire design without exception. This design avoids diffuser foils completely, because they get dirty over time and the quality of light decreases in the long term due to the ageing process. In our case, the light is generated in a joint and distributed over the entire surface via a specially shaped and coated reflector. The light joint is integrated into the reflector architecture in such a way that an observer cannot see into it and therefore cannot be dazzled. As the luminaires have also been installed outdoors, all components are IP-protected. The open area light distribution works so well that only a very slight gradient is perceptible in the light distribution, which was also a desired aspect in the design of the technology. The aim was to create a curved shape that is much more dynamic and exciting than a smooth light surface. The work and initial studies for this luminaire concept began in 2017 and were consistently implemented until completion this year.

Photos: Tom Gundelwein

Refreshing redesign

A new visual appearance for a shopping centre

With a sales area of 76,000 square metres, 200 specialist shops and over 7,000 parking spaces, the Nova Shoppingcenter in Leipzig is one of the largest shopping centres in Germany. The mall, which was built in 2006, has now been completely renovated. The aim of the repositioning was to develop Nova into a theme park for leisure and sports for the whole family. Then as now, the project was implemented by ECE as the centre operator in cooperation with the lighting designers from Tobias Link Lichtplanung und Produktdesign.

details of project

PRESERVING THE TRIED AND TESTED

Visitors enter the mall through the multi-storey car park in frontside and immerse themselves in the interactive light and sound installation "The Living Seas", which has welcomed visitors unchanged since the opening. Here, the lighting designers created a 56m-long room installation that rests in deep blue light. Visitors entering the room occasionally hear the sound of a drop of water from the silence of the space. When the visitor walks in, he triggers light waves that mix with sounds and blossom in the most beautiful colours the maritime world has to offer.

DYNAMIC DAYLIGHTING

The task for the lighting concept was to follow daylight with colour temperature and illuminance. For this reason, all luminaires were equipped with mixable white light from 1,800 K - 6,500 K. The photos show how the lighting climate changes at different times of the day, analogue to daylight. The change runs unnoticed and fluidly from a glorious sunny June day to a beautiful warm white sunset the same evening.

COLOUR CONCEPT IN LIGHTING AND SURFACES

The installation seamlessly welcomes and accompanies the visitor into the centre of the mall, divided into the 3 large themed areas "Play", "Eat" and "Relax". These were set off from each other in the colours yellow, orange and dark violet. The spacious promenades between the themed areas are kept in neutral beige and sand tones, with high-quality wooden surfaces mixed in. This colour scheme is continued in furniture and wall and column panelling as well as in lamella ceilings, creating a beautiful accent and, in combination with artificial light adapted to the daylight, ensuring a feel-good atmosphere. Whereas in the past the ceiling surfaces of the entrance areas were kept discreetly coloured in order to set the scene by means of coloured light, the refurbishment focused on strong colours for the surfaces. The lighting, which can be controlled in white tones, can be used here to intensify the colour impression and, in some cases, to soften it to some degree.

LUMINAIRE DESIGNS INSPIRED BY NATURE

In the Relax area, an artificial tree has been created with countless shade lamps to create a dreamy atmosphere. This is achieved by the sophisticated double-walled construction of the luminaires: they thus create a wonderful lightness and are able to emit soft diffuse light as well as brilliant light for a beautiful contrast in the room. Smaller versions of this light sculpture scatter as if by chance in the connecting areas of the large avenues. The mall has 4 large rotundas, the centres of which are decorated with spiral-shaped cloth-covered luminaires that look like inverted fountains. The single-storey parts of the shopping streets were designed with light-beam ceilings that create a visual elevation of the space and pick up on and continue the colour scheme of the adjacent areas. The food court forms the centre of the mall with its clerestory and wave ceiling. Illuminated pylons, which create dynamic light effects from within with an LED matrix, dominate the space and can be illuminated in different ways for different occasions.

Photos: Tom Gundelwein

Seeing better with dynamic lighting

Tunable white lighting adds to comfort and convenience in an ophthalmology practice

Constantly changing lighting conditions are part of everyday life in an ophthalmologist’s office and have an influence on a person’s circadian rhythms. Both staff members and patients benefit particularly from lighting that changes according to the rhythm of light throughout the day. This is demonstrated in the refurbished offices of the eye consultants Augenspezialisten Saar in Püttlingen.

Details of project

MAKING ROUTINE WORKFLOWS SIMPLER

The shift between light and dark determines the daily work routine in an ophthalmologist’s practice. External examinations of the eye, reading and colour tests require bright lighting of 1000 or 500 lux according to DIN 12464-1. The surroundings need to be darkened when examining the inner eye using a slit lamp and lens. These everyday situations require varying lighting levels. Generally, this means that doctors or their assistants often need to open and close the curtains and switch lights on and off using wall switches. This was also the case in the Püttlingen clinic of Augenspezialisten Saar, before it was modernised in late 2020 and an innovative lighting concept was implemented.

FOCUS ON HEALTH AND ERGONOMICS

The practice rooms do not have much natural light and the waiting room is the brightest area. Dynamic natural lighting resulted in an enormous improvement in conditions for conducting examinations. It also made a noticeably more comfortable atmosphere for patients during their time in the practice. Tunable white LEDs simulate the natural pattern of light over the course of the day to harness the positive effects on circadian rhythms as defined by human centric lighting (HCL).

DYNAMIC ARTIFICIAL LIGHT IMPROVES INDOOR ENVIRONMENT

The lighting controls operate with Casambi. It adjusts the colour temperature and illuminance continuously over the course of the day according to the actual time. A sensor in the waiting room registers real-time data and transmits them to the controls. This modern wireless technology is also easy to integrate when refurbishing an existing building. It allows you to program different lighting moods, for example for specific examinations.

THREE LIGHTING SITUATIONS, THREE TYPES OF LIGHT DISTRIBUTION

The light in the offices in Püttlingen varies during the day from warm white 2700 Kelvin to cooler 5000 Kelvin and back again to 2700 Kelvin. This curve is variable and easy to adapt to fit the requirements in each case. The lighting consists of three components. Light strips on the ceiling provide diffuse light, comparable with the daylight sky. Downlights emit brilliant light directly. Swivelling spotlights in the track system in the ceiling afford improved spatial perception.

INDIVIDUAL AND USER-FRIENDLY

Casambi offers several interfaces, e.g. the app, a wall-mounted or wireless switch. These are easily within reach during examinations. A reed contact is integrated in the slit lamp. This contact switches the light on or off with fade time as wished. This interrupts the programmed brightness curve; the controls are then restored exactly to the current mode. This maintains the sense of continuing to experience the diurnal rhythm consciously.

The project has been awarded with an "Honorable Mention" at the LIT awards 2021.

Fotos: Sarah Pulvermüller
www.augenspezialisten-saar.de