FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE RENOVATIONS, THE NEUES RATHAUS (NEW TOWN HALL) IN DRESDEN IS NOW SEEN IN A NEW LIGHT

When they devised the exterior lighting for the Neues Rathaus, the Studio DL lighting designers had to comply with the requirements for listed buildings as well as the master plan for Dresden’s city lighting. Their concept is based on several carefully co-ordinated elements that present the town hall as a landmark on Dresden’s skyline while at the same time allowing a close look at the architecture and the decorative elements. WE-EF luminaires accentuate the main facade and incorporate the rhythm of the ground floor archway and the pilasters on the upper floor.

The column lighting on the arcade of the main facade is created by ETC330-GB LED inground luminaires. The uplights feature a gimbal mounting system, whereby the lighting can be rotated 360° and tilted 30°, enabling it to be precisely aligned. This section uses ETCs with a very narrow beam distribution combined with a linear spread lens in order to provide a powerful “scalloping” effect. For the four arches located directly in front of the main entrance, the ETC330-GB installations at the side of the columns additionally “wash” the wide intrados. This highlights the entrance to the building while also accentuating the lattice doors right behind it, known as the “golden gate”.

The 13 columns at ground level are matched by 13 pilasters on the upper floor, which are also accentuated by column lighting. FLD121 LED projectors are placed on the fascia to cover this area. With connected wattage of just 12 watts and symmetric medium beam distribution, they not only emphasise the vertical columns but also project light to the cornice above. As a result, the fine structure of the facade is visible all the way up to the edge of the roof.

Two large bronze heraldic lions that guard the entrance to the Neues Rathaus have naturally been integrated into the lighting concept as they are an important part of the artistic decoration. Two ETC130-GB LED uplights set in the ground in front of the bases of the sculptures are aimed at the lions’ heads with a very narrow beam distribution.

Principal: State capital Dresden, urban planning office
Planning of the building lighting: Studio DL, Hildesheim
Project supervision and electrical planning: ILB Dr. Rönitzsch GmbH, Freital
Photos: Dirk-Andre Betz