Published on: September 5, 2009

We received  Berlin Main Station – Underground Platforms & Shopping Areas in Berlin, Germany from LichtVision. The lighting design for got an IALD award of merit in 2007.

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The new Berlin Main Station serves a dual purpose, combining Europe’s largest and most modern rail transportation hub with the facilities of a major shopping center. The lighting design goals were to create a feeling of comfort and safety and to support visual clarity and orientation,with an overall emphasis on system efficiency and maintainability. The lighting of elliptical ceiling cutouts, combines with the functional, linear platform lighting to provide rhythm and structure to the space. The project was completed on-budget and on-schedule, opening in time to support Berlin’s role as co-host of the Soccer World Cup 2006.

The lighting design concept is based on the interaction of functional linear lighting along the platforms with decorative lighting in elliptical ceiling cutouts at the top of the columns.The visually structuring character of the ellipses is enhanced by the blueish-white accent light, creating the impression of a skylight.

The linearity of the platforms is reflected in a continuous technical services trough in the ceiling, housing functional and emergency lighting, speakers and sprinkler systems. The platform lighting utilitizes a single standard fixture type with two lamping options: due to strong electromagnetic fields from the rail power systems, fittings located on the lower level use T8 lamps with low-loss magnetic ballasts, while upper fittings utilize more efficient T5 lamps with electronic ballasts.

The adjustable, two-lamp luminaires are positioned so that maximum illuminances occur at the edge of the platform, with lower brightness on the rails. All fixtures feature crosslouvers to prevent glare for the train conductors.

The building’s structural system is highlighted rather than concealed: the elliptical ceiling cutouts at the top of the columns provide views of the structural connections above and visually organize the space, and are accentuated by the lighting installation within.

The uniform platform illumination is intentionally differentiated from the more directional light provided by spotlights and downlights in neighboring areas (note: design by other lighting designer). Thus, stairs, elevators and passageways are highlighted to support orientation and wayfinding.
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