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.

The daylight shading design has been awarded with the "LIT Award" 2025 in the daylighting category.

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The outdated HIT lighting system was completely replaced with modern LED luminaires featuring Tunable White technology.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.

ENERGISING WHITE LIGHT

The Löhr Centre in Koblenz creates atmosphere with tunable white

The Löhr Centre in Koblenz is one of the largest inner-city shopping centres in the Rhineland Palatinate. It was renovated by ECE as it had been in operation for over 30 years. A fundamental element of the refurbishment was a comprehensive lighting and colour concept.

Case Study

LARGE PROJECT, NARROW TIMEFRAME

An initial draft of the lighting design for the Löhr Centre, which opened in 1984, was created in 2014, when partial modernisation of the 32,000 sqm sales area was planned. In March 2016, ECE decided to renovate all three floors, where around 130 shops are located today. The lighting plan had to be completely revised by the time of reopening in spring 2017 and finished while the shopping centre was open for business.

THREE ATRIUMS PROVIDE STRUCTURE

As part of the relaunch, a new interior design was chosen that divided the mall into three sections: “The Lobby” was depicted in energising blue, green and yellow, “The Boutique” in stimulating red, blue purple and turquoise, “The Collection”, with its floor-to-ceiling bookcase, as a highlight in warm red, purple and yellow.

COLOUR ACCENTS USING TUNABLE WHITE

The lighting concept picks up from these colour schemes in the form of decorative, geometrical light panels, which create an impressive ceiling design. Coloured film serves as filters, where the colour effect varies depending on the time of day. Distribution of the high-performance LEDs in a dense 10 cm grid ensures that the luminous effect is extremely homogeneous. In the daytime, the general lighting has high luminous intensity with a cool colour temperature of 4000 K, the decorative ceiling lights create a strong contrast with warm light up to 2200 K. In a night-time setting with subtle general light, the light panels produce a strong contrast with 4000 K.

LIGHTING MOODS OVER THE COURSE OF THE DAY

The lighting concept is based on energy-efficient LED technology with tunable white, four lighting moods are created by using luminous intensity and colour temperature. These moods are produced using day/night lights with a special Fresnel lens system, which distributes direct and indirect light to the optimum. Perfectly shielded lights are built into a streamlined LED strip system that is just 4 cm wide, so that accented light appears like patches of sunlight, which are only perceived unconsciously. An exterior sensor captures the natural light values; the controls operate according to an automatic programme.

QUALITY LEISURE SPACE

Additional mood spots provide light in the seating and display areas. Special pendant lights with metal grid shades, up to 4 m in diameter and 3 m in height, fill the mall visually and accentuate the welcoming character of the Löhr Centre.

Photos: Tom Gundelwein

Shopping Center

Lighting installation for ECE’s shopping malls – “Europa Galerie” in Saarbrücken and “Nova Eventis” in Leipzig

The goal at both shopping centres was to improve the quality of people’s stay through use of architectural light. Energy-efficient and stimulating lighting that encourages visitors to stay longer, resulting in higher sales.

Case study

Europa Galerie

ECE opened the shopping centre in October 2010. The plan for the artificial lighting was to merge the new gallery harmoniously with the old building, which used to house the mine management offices and is listed as a site of historical interest. Light joints in the floor and cornices on the ceiling mark the separation between the two complexes and create a connection between old and new.

Magical centre of attraction

The 25,000 m2 sales surface area is given rhythm with lights that project wide and narrow beams and draw shoppers’ attention. Ambient lighting in the form of downlights provides colour temperatures of between 3000 and 4200 K and, depending on the time of day, supports the transition between inside and outside. Where natural light is lacking, extensive illuminated ceilings brighten these areas. The illuminated façade of the old building is a focal point: gobo projections bathe it uniformly in light. This bespoke product had already proved itself at Nova Eventis.

Nova Eventis

After refurbishment, the ‘event mall’ celebrated its re-opening in September 2006 as an exciting place of discovery with a 76,000 m2 sales area. The lighting concept was intended to communicate this approach visually. The theme for the two-storey shopping area was “four seasons”. Alternating colour scores appear, projected from light cornices, dynamic colour ceilings and four illuminated pylons.

Unknown dimensions

The main entrance is reached through the car park in front, through the installation called “The Living Seas”. A floor-to-ceiling arch sculpture welcomes shoppers with interactive light and sound installations and puts them in the mood for their visit to the cathedral of consumption. This backdrop was rated “Outstanding“ at the DP3D awards in 2006 and was nominated for the German Design Prize in 2007. The lighting concept focussed in particular on the design of the exterior. Framed projections accentuate the façade, the pool of water acts as an interactive stage and a globe of light continues the theme of water teasingly. According to ECE, the use of the very latest in lighting technology, which was frequently employed in the projects by way of bespoke lights, saves around 20% of the energy costs in the new buildings. Photos: ECE Europagalerie Saarbrücken, Tom Gundelwein, Oliver & Tobias Link