Nørreport is the busiest train station in Denmark with national trains, suburban trains and metro all located underground. A quarter of a million people cross the station square daily.

A tunnel renovation project led to the removal of all aboveground structures and paving.

Gottlieb Paludan Architects and COBE won the architecture competition in 2009 for the new station square, suggesting a minimal number of buildings and focusing instead on the urban space and the comfort, security and joy of the users.

The DMX-controlled lighting design consists of four elements: Warm uplighting on the underside of the roofs that mark platform access, together with light lines around the shop facades. Tranquil light in the glass-clad columns that are in fact platform ventilation installations. Light points in the bicycle stands that turn them into an attractive carpet of stars, and lastly, street lighting that fills the square and traffic areas with gentle light.
 

The iconic 'Nørreport station' neon sign was put up in the 1930s and is so well loved that it was decided to reinstall it on the new roofs.

Nørreport is socially inclusive, a place for everyone at all times, commuters and homeless people alike, helped by the comfortable and eventful light that leaves no spaces dark and enables good face recognition.

The design is sustainable in that light, not structures, is the predominant creator of space. The lighting design at Nørreport is people-centered and does the important job of making the urban space functional and attractive.

Client: Copenhagen Municipality
Contractor: Aarsleff Rail Nørreport
Main adviser: Gottlieb Paludan Architects
Architects: Gottlieb Paludan Architects and COBE
Lighting designer: Bartenbach
Electrical designer: Sweco Danmark A/S
Electrical contractor: Wicotec Kirkebjerg A/S
Lighting suppliers: Lightconstructor (columns), Faktor 3 (bicycle stands), Durlum (in-ground fixtures and linears at glass facades)

West Terminal 2, the new passenger terminal in the western port of Helsinki is a functional public building allowing 2000 people to embark or disembark a ferry in just one hour.

The main design concept is simplicity. The terminal has to endure long opening hours and heavy use in harsh sea water environment for many years to come, while serving countless Finnish and Estonian commuters, business people and tourists. Visual design solutions need to age beautifully, thus a simple shape of a line in different forms was selected as the lighting theme in all the spaces.

The high entrance hall resembles a high-tech machine. During daylight hours it is flooded with daylight, but during darker hours, the suspended light lines create a more intimate atmosphere.

In lower ceilings the light lines are integrated into the suspended ceilings in different ways – concealed, recessed, above.

The main routes to the ferry alongside windows are emphasized with linear handrail lighting. Escalators are also equipped with linear, efficient lighting.

After check-in the passengers move to an upper level departure lounge which has an elevated atmosphere of wood, glass and concrete, in addition to a great sea view and the longest outdoor terrace in Finland. The huge vaulted ceiling of the lounge is cladded with wooden structures carefully hiding the direct linear lighting, security lighting and other building services. During darker hours of the day indirect lighting warms up the space.

The lighting control is fully automated by presence detectors as well as extensive daylight control. Daylighting zones were simulated in the design phase in order to achieve maximum energy efficiency and maximum comfort.

Client: Port of Helsinki
Builder: YIT
Architect: PES-Architects; Tuomas Silvennoinen, Pekka Mäkelä
Lighting designer: Granlund; Sanna Forsman, Matti Syrjälä
Interior designer: PES-Architects; Tuomas Silvennoinen, Pekka Mäkelä
Electrical designer: Granlund; Tero Nieminen
Electrical contractor: LSK Talotekniikka
Lighting suppliers: iGuzzini, Ateljé Lyktan, Insta, Imperial

The new Lava Centre in the south of Iceland is surrounded by some of the country’s greatest volcanoes. The main exhibition provides a unique immersive and interactive experience where visitors can feel, experience and understand the extreme natural forces that shape our planet and created Iceland.

Architecture and lighting design play a major role in the experience of the exhibition. Conceived as a journey of discovery, the exhibition is arranged across a series of interconnected spaces that vary in shape and lighting quality according to particular design concepts within the main theme.

Each of the different exhibition spaces constitutes a unique, immersive light environment. Staged against a backdrop of darkened rooms, each exhibit functions as a light source that is detached from its spatial container in order to provide a more intimate encounter for visitors.

Following a tangible interaction approach, every exhibit in the exhibition is either triggered or shaped by visitors’ motion or behaviour. In this way, visitors experience the exhibition in different ways, gathering along the way a wide variety of experiences that range from personal and intimate to collective.

Built on rigorous scientific research, the exhibition uses both recorded and live data from the leading geological institutions and universities in Iceland. Visitors can experience earthquakes created by real seismic data, feel the movement of magma within the Eyjafjallajökull central volcano or encounter a large-scale replica of the deep mantle plume that lies beneath Iceland and is responsible for its active volcanism.

Client: LAVA
Architect: Basalt Architects
Exhibition designers: Basalt Architects and Gagarín
Lighting designers: Basalt Architects, Gagarín and Liska
Scenography designer: Basalt Architects
Interactive media designer: Gagarín
Builder: Thingvangur
Exhibition construction: Irma Studio
Electrical designer: Liska
Electrical contractor: Thingvangur
Lighting suppliers: ETC, Exton, Logoflex
AV equipment supplier: Feris

The lighting at Rånåsfoss power station seeks to find a respectful balance between preserving and highlighting the original neoclassical architecture of 1922 and connecting it to the modern architectural interventions of LPO architects.

Modern luminaires, with a design that is sympathetic to the industrial environment, provide accent light to key objects within the space, whilst integration details illuminate the original facades. The light creates an enhanced sense of depth within the room and becomes the bridge between the old and the new elements of the space. By using a high level of vertical light to both the internal brick facade and the external facade, the glazing that separates the inside from outside visually disappears. Undesirable reflections are minimized and the volume of the building is extended out beyond the line of the glazing.

The old machine hall has been preserved within the power station and now features an exhibition about hydropower and energy. The visitor centre welcomes more than 7.000 school kids each year where they can learn about renewable energy.

In addition to emphasizing the striking architecture and creating a suitable environment for exhibitions, the lighting was also designed to meet the high demands of task lighting in an operating industrial building where light levels and uniformity must be met. To avoid over-illuminating the space, feature lighting to the architecture was calculated and used as part of the general lighting to the space, all adding up to an efficient lighting design where the amount of visible product could be kept to a minimum.

Client: Akershus Energi Vannkraft AS
Architect: LPO arkitekter
Lighting designer: ÅF Lighting
Electrical designer: ÅF Lighting
Electrical contractor: Oppland Elektro AS
Lighting suppliers: iGuzzini, Osram, ERCO, Fagerhult, Glamox

Humana’s nursing and care home in Gävle is the company's first of its kind in Sweden: It houses 9 wards, each with 9 small apartments and communal spaces for older adults suffering from somatic illnesses and/or dementia.

The lighting and interior design were planned in close collaboration from the very beginning, with the goal to create a holistic functioning environment with the residents in focus.

A nursing and care home is a home for elderly, often the last station in the history of their lives. Hence it is important to create spaces that reflect dignity, where those individuals can both feel at home and perform their daily routines in a way that complies to their physical conditions.

The careful choice of colours, materials and furniture resulted in a home that does not remind of a care facility, with a flexible and dynamic lighting solution that enhances and interacts with the interior and that can respond to the different needs and activities. Different lighting scenes make it possible for the elderly e.g. to understand what time of the day it is.

This was possible thanks to cutting-edge lighting technology, which even allows to adjust the light scenes for each individual apartment, easing the everyday life of both staff and inhabitants and creating a new way of thinking for the future of the care sector.

Client: Humana Omsorg AB
Owner of the building: Hemfosa
Builder: Prenova
Architect: White Arkitekter
Lighting designer: Ljusrum
Interior designer: Ljusrum
Electrical designer: Midroc
Electrical contractor: Midroc
Programming: Wennerström Ljuskontroll
Lighting suppliers: Prolicht, Luce & Light, Maxel, Elektroskandia, Zero, Fagerhult, Welight, Lumino, special ceiling luminaires and pendant lights from Inventron (Ljusrum design), etc.

At the Wadden Sea Centre the light contributes to telling stories about the Wadden Sea. The exhibition at the centre conveys the reason the Danish Wadden Sea – along with the German and Dutch Wadden Sea – achieved the classification as UNESCO World Heritage. The Wadden Sea Centre allows the visitors to experience the world-class nature through the eyes of the migratory birds.

The design of the exhibition in combination with the lighting and the architecture shows a love to the site-specific and unique nature. By combining classic craftsmanship with innovative and new technology a completely distinct universe is created.

The exhibition is a diverse and dynamic construct of authentic documentation, scenography, arts, crafts and bespoke light fixtures that in close relation to the built architecture creates a total spatial experience aiming for a balance between communication and aesthetics that is unique in its field.

The lighting concept is strongly influenced by the world of the migratory birds – the colors, the reflections and the infinite horizons. The dichroic tinted light and dissolving bespoke light rigs reference this world and support the narrative of the exhibition. The artificial light is focused, highlighting textures and surfaces and making the artifacts stand out and become tangible. The daylight and the artificial light are designed to merge together to form a total experience.

The exhibition is the first in Scandinavia to be launched with Xicato intelligent lighting, wirelessly controlled through BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), allowing for minimal cabling without unnecessary switches and subnetworks.

Client: The Wadden Sea Centre
Builder: CPH Steel
Building architect: Dorte Mandrup Architects
Lighting designer: Fortheloveoflight
Exhibition designer: JAC studios
Electrical contractor: Blue-Tech A/S
Media designer: No Parking Production
Media designer of the Digital Ornithology: Jason Bruges Studio
Graphic designer: All the way to Paris
Furniture maker and installer: CPH Steel
Lighting suppliers:
Mike Stoane Lighting (BBX.70)
iGuzzini (Laser Mini), eldoLED
ERCO (Lightgap)
Ljusdesign (Gimmick CC + R)
Reggiani
Buschfeld
SORAA (MR16 VIVID high CRI)
SpektraLED (Custom products)
Artistic License (Rail DMX to DALI)
Xicato (XIG BLE Gateways)
MediaLON show control integrated w. media designer

Designed in the Nordic Classicism style, the Muurame Church was completed in 1929. Resembling Italian architect Alberti’s church at Mantua, the building has a tall campanile on one side of the rounded chancel, a single-aisle interior with a barrel vault over a system of joists, and a parish hall in the form of a side chapel to the right of the chancel. A staircase leads down from this room to an exit with a loggia inspired by The Annunciation, an Early Renaissance fresco by Fra Angelico.

Around the time the Muurame Church was being built, Alvar Aalto became more and more convinced that all the new building techniques and materials available, as well as changes prevalent in society, called for a style of their own. In the manner of artists like Cézanne, to really apply the principles of open space freely to architecture, Aalto started to move away from the Neo-Classical vocabulary, removing decorations from the plan of the church.

The renovation of the church was designed by ARK-Kantonen architects, aiming for a high level of authenticity. All external parts of the building were restored. Plasterings were repaired and walls painted. The supporting structure of the roof was rebuilt and roof tiles replaced with new ones in the original style. The previously demolished rose garden outside the church was built again.

Inside, the barrel vault was rebuilt. Apart from the altar fresco, which had already been restored, all internal surfaces were cleaned and painted according to Aalto’s designs.

The architects wished for an understated lighting design that would retain the integrity of the historic building. They also thought pathways should be illuminated with light sources positioned at a low angle.

A chandelier made of brass was originally designed to hang over the entrance to the chancel. For reasons unknown it was not completed. The chandelier was constructed for the restoration, following the original drawing. The hanging lights of the nave were not replaced with new ones as they closely resemble the originals.

Client: Muuramen seurakunta
Builder: VRP Keski-Suomi Oy
Architect: Arkkitehtitoimisto ARK-Kantonen Oy; Tuija Ilves, Jussi Kantonen, Sanna Kallantie
Lighting designer: Sweco Building Services Ltd; Ari Peltola, Mikko Pekonen
Interior designer: Arkkitehtitoimisto ARK-Kantonen Oy; Tuija Ilves, Jussi Kantonen, Sanna Kallantie
Electrical designer: Sweco Building Services Ltd; Juha Törmänen
Electrical contractor: Kiites Oy; Tero Tiihonen
Lighting suppliers: ERCO, iGuzzini Finland & Baltic, Opticalight

Raufarhólshellir is one of the most famous lava caves in Iceland and lies near Reykjavik. These magnificent caves are the result of massive eruptions 5000 years ago. Dimensions of the cave create an impressive room space. At the entrance three openings in the ceiling create beautiful columns of light. A decorative collage of colors shows the unique character of the cave, proclaiming the story of its mineral origins. A well-thought-out lighting serves to highlight these characteristics and qualities.

From the very beginning, the aim of the lighting has been to develop a strong interaction between contrasts, light and shadow, to intensify the natural colors as well as emphasize the geological highlights of the cave. The most important cave sections were identified with a help from a geologist. The lighting builds from the entrance to a peak, 400m inside the cave.

An essential design requirement was that all technical equipment should be as unobtrusive as possible. All construction-related lighting and electronic equipment had to be 100% reversible. The lighting is based on Anolis RGBW luminaires with varying lenses, this to promote the greatness of the cave and reflect the most correct colors. Luminaires and scenes are controlled with a DMX system.

The walkway lighting was designed to fit the environment. Low bollards of steel were constructed so the material rusts in line with the bridges and platforms in the cave, with a high focus on lighting the paths without stealing any attention from the attractions and to prevent glare.

Client: Raufarhóll ehf
Builder: Raufarhóll ehf
Architect: EFLA / Raufarhóll ehf
Lighting designer: EFLA; Ágúst Gunnlaugsson, Arnar Leifsson
Electrical designer: Arnar Leifsson
Electrical contractor: Rafrás ehf
Rock climbers: Sigmenn ehf
Lighting suppliers: Anolis, Pharos, Osram

The Biblo Tøyen library is unique in many ways, most notably as it is exclusively for the young – no adults allowed. Situated in a challenged and poor district of Oslo it creates a sorely needed inspiring and safe haven for the kids. This ”no expence spared” project by the City of Oslo creates a playful and innovative interior focusing on discovery and inspiration, collaboration, and learning by doing through such infrastructure as a grand kitchen in the middle of the library, a workshop and a stage.

The lighting design was made by Svend Eric Panjer assisted by interior designer Aat Vos.

The lighting enhances the blue walls, creating space, depth and a sense of safety, and a spatial playing field for the interior design as a whole – encouraging people to discover the depth of the room. This is achieved by using wall washers and LED strips.

The dark floor supports the journey of discovery; lit by a series of spotlights to achieve a maximum interaction of both heavily lit interior items and strong black shadows. This creates that summer-day-in-the-park-underneath-the-tree-kinda-feeling that associates with a relaxed Sunday afternoon picnic. This is stressed by angling the spotlights into the room.

To put it short, lighting is considered the most powerful tool to actually visualize the heart of the project: inspiration and discovery. After all, what’s the use of making anything at all if it cannot be seen. The lighting design is there to direct and amplify what is there to be discovered.

Client: Oslo commune, Deichman Biblo Tøyen
Builder: Entra ASA
Architect: Bislet Arkitekter AS
Lighting designer: Svend Eric Panjer
Interior designer: Aat Vos
Electrical designer: Østlandske Elektro AS
Electrical contractor: Østlandske Elektro AS
Lighting suppliers: SML Lighting AS; Intra Lighting, TAL, LED Luks, Vanpee, Nortronic

Situated in central Stockholm, an unconventional office has been created for gaming company King. It is a calm oasis, featuring many customized solutions, an indoor forest and a good dose of magic. The end product is an environment which is conducive to productivity and provides inspiration.

Working closely with interior designers Adolfsson & Partners, ÅF Lighting has created lighting concepts and designs to enhance and add to the architectural solutions, using luminaires that complement the architecture and the interior in terms of colour and shape.

The core idea involved providing an experience out of the ordinary for employees and visitors. The interior converts the two dimensional gaming world into the 3D world of reality, and the lighting adds a fourth dimension. The end users’ requirements for a high level of quality and reliability, flexibility for future technology and functional lighting that also provides a feature have all been catered to. The overall lighting scheme provides light where it is actually needed and allows darkness to form part of the total experience. This also goes for the custom-designed luminaire, reminiscent of a fishing rod, which is mounted on moveable workstations.

The central area of the office has been transformed into an indoor forest. Light and sound effects change with the seasons, and dynamic projections mimic the movement of the sun. Together with the Czech company 3dsense, ÅF Lighting has sourced advanced video projections for an interactive floor featuring a pond where fish swim and ice cracks, depending on the season.

Client: Adolfsson & Partners
Builder: Adolfsson & Partners / Öhmans Bygg
Architect: Adolfsson & Partners
Lighting designer: ÅF Lighting
Interior designer: Adolfsson & Partners
Electrical designer: Stockholms Elpartner AB
Electrical contractor: Stockholms Elpartner AB
Interactive design: 3dsense
Lighting suppliers:
iGuzzini (spotlights, office)
Fagerhult (spotlights, forest / suspended luminaire, meeting room)
Ateljé Lyktan (table lamp, work desk)
Prolicht (downlights)
Ecosense (pillar light)
iLed (window light)
LED Linear (flexible LED strips)
Ljusdesign Gävle (fountain light)
Martin Professional (moving head)
Lampe Gras (wall lamp, decorative)
Wästberg (floor lamp, decorative)
Moooi (suspended lamp, decorative)
Frama (suspended lamp, decorative)
NUD Collection (suspended lamp, decorative)
Zero (suspended lamp, decorative) / table lamp, decorative)
Muuto (suspended lamp, decorative)
Flos (table lamp, decorative)
Normann Copenhagen (table lamp, decorative)
Lightyears Caravaggio (table lamp, decorative)
Gubi (floor lamp, decorative, log)