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Metaphoric Lighting Design In Light of Knowledge

United Kingdom Architecture News - Oct 22, 2014 - 12:42   12893 views

The lighting designers at Arup have developed a high-profile and complex lighting concept which perfectly illuminates the spaces highlighting the striking visual language of the internationally award-winning Library and Learning Center in Vienna. The lighting design also accentuates the symbolic architecture of this iconic building.

Metaphoric Lighting Design In Light of Knowledge

courtesy of Arup

Between Neue Messe (the new trade fair centre) and the Prater, the new campus of the Vienna University of Economics and Business was completed by the end of 2013, a modern building complex offering ideal teaching, learning and research conditions for 25,000 students and 1,500 academic and administrative staff. Internationally renowned architecture practices such as CRABstudio from the UK, Atelier Hitoshi Abe from Japan and Estudio Carme of Pinós and No.MAD Arquitectos from Spain were commissioned with the design of the different faculty buildings.

The Library and Learning Center (LLC) of approximately 42,000 square meters gross area, designed by leading British Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid rises from the heart of the six buildings on the campus. This multipurpose building has the shape of a polygonal block with inclined and vertical façades and a double height glazed facade on the cantilevering part of the building. Inside, the straight lines of the exterior become fluid and curvilinear and create space for light paths and sightlines.

Metaphoric Lighting Design In Light of Knowledge

courtesy of Arup

Symbolic Architecture

This iconic building symbolises a casket, within which a treasure is stored, a treasure of knowledge, stored inside the campus library. To further express this metaphor, the globally active planning and engineering firm Arup was entrusted with the preparation of comprehensive lighting and facade concepts. "Our goal was to highlight the striking architectural language and simultaneously illuminate the individual rooms according to their respective requirements”, explains Paula Longato, lighting designer at Arup. This knowledge should radiate out as a glowing treasure while the building facades appear as subtle silhouette after sunset.

The lighting concept highlights the architectural threefold division of the building

In addition to the library and its reading and learning areas, the LLC also houses a large assembly hall, the Aula, and administrative offices, all intertwined into one another. The different uses of the building are visually represented by the architecture and additionally emphasised by the lighting concepts developed by Arup. A subtle interplay of different light colours and techniques differentiates the three building parts.

For the circulation and spaces connected to daylight, a neutral light colour (4000K) was chosen. The library spaces and spaces connected to the administrative functions receive a warmer light colour (3000K). This subtle difference is apparent during evening hours looking through the external facades of the building.

Metaphoric Lighting Design In Light of Knowledge

courtesy of Arup

The concept foresees three different lighting methods to further differentiate the spaces. The library areas are lit via direct and indirect lighting, primarily created by the light lines which run throughout the building. The administrative offices are lit via ceiling recessed linear luminaires providing direct lighting while the interspace between the two building blocks is indirectly lit.

The library as a store of knowledge

The library areas radiate from the inside out. Key surfaces which underline this concept are the ceilings. They are illuminated via suspended light lines which run throughout the building with direct and indirect light distribution and provide the interiors with a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. The core walls, housing the vertical circulation and ancillary spaces are delicately highlighted with cove lighting. The circulation spaces receive dedicated, integrated lighting, running all the way along the inside of the handrails.

For the illumination of the book shelves a simple but unusual solution was found: they are illuminated via transverse running light lines, which are equipped with a special micro-prism cover; ensuring even, glare free and adequate light distribution even for the lower shelves. The library spaces are regarded as highly flexible and therefore require a flexible lighting solution. “The obvious answer was to relate the lighting to the architectural spaces, providing adequate lighting for the many different functions” explains Paula.

The study desks are equipped with dedicated task lights, which ensure that higher light levels are achieved on the working surfaces. The luminaires are adjustable, so that the students are able to modify working conditions to suit their needs.

Metaphoric Lighting Design In Light of Knowledge

courtesy of Arup

The “Fuge" as knowledge flow

The two main building parts, the library and the administrative blocks, which intertwine, are interconnected via what is known as the “Fuge”. This connecting element is recognised from the outside by the curvilinear skylight which converts to a window when it meets the facade and continues around the entire building to form a continuous ribbon. On the inside, the “Fuge” allows daylight to abundantly enter the building, inundating the Aula with natural light while allowing assorted views of the campus.

The “Fuge” belongs to the circulation areas, witnessing the movements happening in the inside. It symbolises the flow of knowledge inside the space. To underline this flow, continuous LED light lines are integrated into the facade profiles.

The Fuge also creates so-called canyons in the interior of the building which further identify the individual building blocks and which are illuminated via metal halide spotlights, recessed into the walls. Depending on the type of ceiling and room height in each space either recessed or pendant lights are incorporated as required. Continuous linear luminaires are used throughout the building underlining the fluidity and openness of the spaces, creating a uniform and strongly recognisable image of the building.

The change of light colours and the use of different lighting methods contribute to the branding of the building and at the same time facilitate orientation for its users. The distinctive flowing forms of the architecture were always considered. With lines of light, cove lighting, wall washers and illuminated handrails, this approach is consistently implemented through to the core areas.

Resource-saving lamp selection

The campus was developed as part of a green building concept. Against this background, particular emphasis was placed on the use of long-life lamps throughout the building, helping reduce energy consumption to a minimum. Thus, the library and administration areas are mainly lit using LEDs and linear fluorescent lamps. In the “Fuge” metal halide spotlights and LEDs prevail. Effective control makes the lighting system economical, energy efficient and low maintenance.

The building was awarded a Silver certification from ÖGNI, the Austrian Sustainable Building Council and a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) European Award.

Project Details

Floor Area:28,000 m² net area
                       42,000 m² gross area
Project cost: ca. 97 million Euro
Lighting cost: 3.1 million Euro
Completion date:October 2013
Achitects:Zaha Hadid Architects, Hamburg
Lighting:Arup Deutschland GmbH, Berlin
Client:Projektgesellschaft Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien Neu GmbH
Contractor: Vasko + Partner

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