Image (Station entrance detail with escalators): "Museumsinsel U-Bahn station entrance at blue hour showing contemporary design without traditional Berlin underground light portal, open granite parapet with WE-EF VLR100 linear wall luminaires integrated into transparent covered wall boxes providing asymmetric wall wash downlighting, glass-enclosed escalators leading to 180-meter platform beneath Spree Canal, iconic blue U-Bahn signage, designed by Max Dudler Architects as underground entrée to Museum Island cultural institutions completing U5 line connection between Brandenburger Tor and Alexanderplatz

Underground Station "Museumsinsel", Berlin

Supporting sole

Unobtrusively creating optimum light conditions, while the design concept takes centre stage. WE-EF downlights perform this function to perfection in the new "Museumsinsel" underground station in Berlin, as the fascinating "starry sky" ceiling wouldn't be possible without the additional glare-free platform lighting.

Museumsinsel U-Bahn station entrance at twilight showing contemporary open granite parapet design without traditional light portal, WE-EF VLR100 linear surface-mounted wall luminaires integrated into transparent covered wall boxes providing asymmetric wall wash downlighting into entrance, completing U5 line extension connecting Brandenburger Tor to Alexanderplatz through cultural heart of Berlin, designed by Max Dudler Architects, completed 2020 after 22-year construction period

The "Museumsinsel" underground station as well as the new stations, "Rotes Rathaus" and "Unter den Linden", complete the U5 underground line, filling the gap between Brandenburger Tor and Alexanderplatz. The Museumsinsel station defines a whole new place in the cultural heart of Berlin – the 180-metre-long station runs south of the Schlossbrücke bridge under the Spree Canal and serves as an underground entrée to the city's most important cultural institutions. The architectural theme of the underground station was inspired by the lack of natural light underground – eternal night.

A famous role model

Architectural detail of Museumsinsel station's arched platform tunnel showing integration of WE-EF DOC220 recessed ceiling luminaires positioned asymmetrically in curved vault structure, brilliant starlight points against ultramarine blue background creating immersive theatrical atmosphere inspired by Schinkel's historic stage design, demonstrating how functional platform lighting supports dramatic decorative concept in Berlin's newest U5 station serving Museum Island UNESCO World Heritage Site

When developing the spatial and lighting concept for the two arched platform tunnels, the architecture firm Max Dudler took its cue from a famous role model: the historic stage set designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel in 1816 for the Mozart opera "The Magic Flute". Bright ultramarine blue and 6,662 brilliant points of light now make the vaults shine like a starry sky. A fascinating eye-catcher – but, of course, not sufficient to provide safe and pleasant platform lighting in compliance with standards. This is why a functional lighting component was added to the decorative elements – the planners arranged a continuous row of WE-EF DOC220 recessed ceiling luminaires above the edge of the platform. Despite the asymmetrical position in the vault, the recessed housing and a special fitting ring enable vertical installation in the ceiling structure made of steel and plasterboard.

Important: Optimal glare protection

Thanks to their recessed installation and dark light optics, the downlights with wide beam distribution feature excellent glare control. This increases visual comfort for the passengers on the platforms, and especially for the train drivers – as tested and confirmed by the transport authority Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe in an advance mock-up. At 3,000 K, the light colour of the WE-EF downlights was co-ordinated with the other components of the lighting concept.

Close-up of WE-EF DOC220 recessed ceiling downlight with dark light optics and wide beam distribution providing glare-free platform lighting in Museumsinsel station's spectacular ultramarine blue arched vault adorned with 6,662 brilliant points of light creating starry sky effect inspired by Karl Friedrich Schinkel's 1816 Magic Flute stage set, recessed housing with special fitting ring enabling vertical installation in steel and plasterboard ceiling structure despite asymmetrical position

Museumsinsel U-Bahn platform showing 180-meter-long arched tunnel with ultramarine blue starry sky ceiling featuring 6,662 illuminated points, continuous row of WE-EF DOC220 recessed downlights with 3000K color temperature mounted above platform edge providing standards-compliant functional lighting tested and approved by Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) for optimal glare protection for passengers and train drivers, station located beneath Spree Canal south of Schlossbrücke serving as underground entrance to Museum Island cultural institutions

The planners developed a further, equally functional and creative, lighting solution with WE-EF technology for the above-ground station entrance. Unlike most Berlin underground stations, here there was no light portal with the underground symbol and the name of the station, but instead an open entrance with a granite parapet. Linear surface-mounted wall luminaires from WE-EF's VLR100 series are fitted into this parapet in transparent, covered wall boxes. With wall wash light distribution, the asymmetric beam pushes light downwards into the entrance.

Credits

Architect: Max Dudler Berlin Light planning: Thomas Spreen/High Light, Berlin Location: Museumsinsel, D-10178 Berlin Principal: BVG Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe Construction period: 1998–2020 Construction volume: Gross area 4,600 m² Photos: Frieder Blickle

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