ingenhoven architects – efficient light for creative work

Düsseldorf's Media Harbour is home to the open-plan offices of ingenhoven architects - illuminated with flexible track Optec spotlights. Sculptural facades, long quay walls and listed warehouses characterise the appearance of Düsseldorf's Media Harbour. The offices of ingenhoven architects are located in the midst of this urban environment - a space for creative work, designed with flexible luminaires for track from ERCO.

ingenhoven architects are known as pioneers of ecologically sustainable and technologically progressive architecture. High levels of flexibility, precise execution and spatial efficiency are the self-imposed principles with which they approach each of their projects. They've also successfully implemented architectural projects of all sizes and typologies worldwide. ERCO luminaires have been used in many of their buildings, for example in the Lufthansa Aviation Center and the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg. They also use tried and trusted ERCO lighting tools for illuminating their own offices.

Turning old into new

The Plange Mill in the Düsseldorf Media Harbour, built at the beginning of the 20th century, was once used for the production of flour. Now the carefully renovated complex forms an exciting symbiosis of old and new in which creative minds forge unique ideas. The successful integration of the original buildings is particularly impressive, such as the historical clock tower embedded in the modern linear building construction. Above the urban hustle and bustle, the generously proportioned offices of ingenhoven architects are located, on the fifth floor of the new building. High, loft-like ceilings, white walls and a communicative island of desks positioned along the entire length of the room form an open working environment for around 100 architects from all over the world - along with a fantastic view of the Rhine and Düsseldorf's skyline.

Accentuated light for high visual comfort

Quick scribbling, spontaneous agreements or concentrated screen work - the working methods prevalent in the architectural office are as individual as the projects designed. In order to meet the diverse lighting tasks, a lighting solution with flexible Optec spotlights and track was installed. Light distributions such as narrow spot, spot, oval flood, wide flood and wallwash are matched to the various work areas and place the needs of the employees in the forefront. Mounting the spotlights on track and the possibility of changing the light distribution via lenses without the need of tools provides a high degree of flexibility for future adaptations.

Qualitative instead of conventional lighting design

Instead of uniform general lighting, ingenhoven architects use zonal lighting with a warm white light 3000K colour. The connected load of the Optec spotlights is only 8 or 24 watts. Last but not least, the accent light lends special attention to the visually stimulating model architecture and provides exciting focal points within the modern office environment. Last but not least, the accent light lends special attention to the visually stimulating model architecture and sets exciting focal points within the modern office environment.

Project data

Client: Real estate company Plange Mühle GbR, Düsseldorf / Germany
Architecture: ingenhoven architects, Düsseldorf / Germany
Photographer: Thomas Mayer, Neuss / Germany

Products: Optec
Photo credits: © ERCO GmbH, www.erco.com, photography: Thomas Mayer