09.04.2025
Our unique lighting masts and illumination system for the heritage market square and old cotton mills of Floha Saxony Germany was featured in the newspapers this week. The project is expected to be completed next autumn.
Sustainable and environmentally friendly outdoor lighting for commercial and industrial areas offers great potential. Our guide to optimising commercial lighting reduces light pollution – while maintaining safety and efficiency.
The basis is a study carried out by Ruairí O’Brien on behalf of the Brandenburg State Office for the Environment in the Premnitz Industrial Park, located in the Westhavelland Nature and Star Park (approx. 70 km west of Berlin). The region was recognised as Germany’s first star park in 2014 and is committed to preserving natural nocturnal landscapes through responsible lighting. The measures presented here were developed in collaboration with two local companies and serve as a model for other locations.
Core measures:
Advantages:
The guideline serves as a model and is suitable for commercial and industrial areas.
Lighting designer Ruairí O’Brien has developed a customised lighting solution for the Kunstbahnhof Flöha that harmoniously combines two central functions:
for the station concourse was developed by Ruairí O’Brien in close collaboration with the town of Flöha and the project lead architect Gert Humburg (responsible for the station refurbishment) especially for this location. It emphasises the clear, high-quality architecture of the station concourse and creates the perfect setting for the exhibition and art installations there as part of Chemnitz, European Capital of Culture 2025 (e.g. Tanja Rochelmeyer’s window front design).
The Kunstbahnhof Flöha is developing into a cultural centre of supra-regional importance with changing exhibitions. As a special highlight of the Capital of Culture year, it attracts art lovers from all over the region. And beyond 2025, it will remain a lively art venue with regular exhibitions and installations.
Ruairí O’Brien’s contemporary and futuristic lighting concept combines Karlsruhe’s baroque urban structure with modern lighting design. Colors, geometric shapes and interactive elements emphasize the fan layout and create a dynamic, sustainable lighting experience.
Baroque fan layout
The radial streets and axes are used to create visual depth and symmetry. Each radial street is given its own color and lighting identity that reflects its surroundings.
Color scheme and light identity
A dynamic color gradient of warm and cool tones (red, orange, gold, green, blue) alternates along the main axes and guides visitors visually through the city with flowing transitions. Europa-Platz: red tones / Marktplatz: gold / Berliner Platz: blue/green
Central axes
Central Axis “Via Triumphalis”: Golden and warm white lighting emphasizes the historical main axis with arcs of light and symmetrical projections. Kaiserstraße: forms the thermodynamic color gradient as vertical axis.
Geometric light installations
Within the color concept, five platonic bodies serve as the design basis for the lighting installations in the streets. Integrated seating and multifunctional elements such as benches and pavilions promote quality of stay and combine comfort and aesthetics.
Interactive elements:
Motion-dependent light sources and projections create a playful experience. Light installations on roofs and façades increase the spatial depth. Digital control enables flexible adjustments and energy-efficient operation.
The concept creates a festive, historic-modern atmosphere that guides visitors through the city through light and color.
From dusk until late in the evening, O’Brien’s artistic soundless-music light composition moved simultaneously and synchronously through the colour wheel of spectral light colours at 21 participating buildings in the city centre – including the Old Market, the city canal and the Garrison Church, which is currently being rebuilt.
The rhythmically and visually varied choreography allows children and non-children to experience colour theory in the most entertaining way. In addition to the inspiring overall composition of architectural lighting, which offers surprising changes of rhythm and sound in the form of visual sensory impressions, there is also media art to experience in the form of a laser show in the city canal or a façade projection on the Barberini.
Each of Ruairí O’Brien’s compositions for “Unterwegs im Licht” is unique in terms of the city-related themes, the facades involved, the colour palette, the intensity and the tempi. The special signature of the architect and light artist is to make each room, each building tangible in its individual character.
Basic concept:
Composition:
The spectral colours of light and the thermodynamics of (urban) life – trilogy part 3
The theme of the three-part Soundless Music composition, which began in 2022, is understandable and yet has depth and complexity.
It makes the main theme of the event, light, the defining content of the light composition.
The focus of the third part in 2025 is on the tertiary colours / analogue colour combinations.
Each of the selected spectral colours has a complementary colour (vertically opposite in the colour wheel) and analogous colours (horizontally adjacent). This can be used to create a variety of lighting moods (elegant, cheerful, melancholic, cheerful, …).
Concerns:
Sequence:
Photos: Peter Fischer
Our robust luminaires, from a range of pole-mounted luminaires with an urban character developed for the location, can be individually configured and ensure optimum illumination of the square, street and micro-spaces. Light directed exclusively at the ground from above minimises glare and spill light and reduces light pollution.
The height, alignment and lighting technology of the individually curved poles with flexible spotlights can be adapted to the spatial conditions and enable optimum light distribution. The high-quality illumination of August-Bebel-Platz, starting from its peripheral areas, is made possible. All areas of the square are clearly visible. The perception of safety is supported.
Differentiated light colour temperatures structure the urban space and support orientation. Selected light distributions ensure uniform illumination of the traffic areas and accentuation of the peripheral areas. On August-Bebel-Platz, the large number of small light points and overlays create an exciting lighting experience.
The lighting concept supports communication and encounters. Small micro-spaces that invite people to linger are given a warm lighting atmosphere. On the square, colourful gobo projections provide temporary playful accents. Children are fascinated by the spray of water and light, which creates small rainbows from different perspectives. This liveliness also has a positive effect on the feeling of safety.
Individual lighting scenarios fulfil the respective requirements of the time of day or night. In the late hours of the night, the lighting can be set to ultra-warm white light and reduced luminous flux. Insect-friendliness and the protection of darkness are increased, while uniform illumination / safety remains guaranteed.
On festive occasions, special lighting moods can be created on August-Bebel-Platz, e.g. with increased colour intensity and individual motif projection.
Competition entry with QUERFELDEINS Landschaft | Städtebau | Architektur, Dresden
Visualisierung Ruairí O’Brien . Lichtdesign 2024
We are pleased to announce that we have been selected to join the team of experts working on the ambitious “Transformation 1.535°” project in Lauchhammer, Brandenburg, Germany. This extensive project spans two sites: “ERZ” (ORE) with art casting museum, art foundry and Friedenskirche in Lauchhammer-Ost (13.8 ha) and “KOHLE” (COAL) with bio-towers, activated sludge basin and relic park in Lauchhammer-West (32.2 ha).
Our contribution to the planning and development team is the creation and implementation of the lighting concepts for the public space, the landscaping, the art casting museum, the new “Education and Experience Centre for Art Casting and Industrial Culture” and the famous listed bio-towers (see picture).
The “Transformation 1.535°” project is one of the most ambitious cultural and tourism initiatives in Germany, if not in Europe. Its aim is to transform the remnants of East Germany’s coal industry history into a vibrant centre for art, education and tourism.
An important part of this project is the expansion of the Lauchhammer Art Casting Museum into an “Education and Experience Centre for Art Casting and Industrial Culture”. This centre will honour the region’s rich industrial heritage while promoting modern educational and cultural experiences.
The Biotowers, a unique and impressive example of East German industrial culture, are at the centre of this transformation.
These structures, which once bore witness to the region’s industrial prowess, will be brought back to life through exhibitions, information programmes and innovative lighting concepts so that they can be preserved and appreciated for future generations.
We are delighted to be able to contribute to this epoch-making project and to contribute to its sustainable and holistic success with our expertise in the communicative and aesthetic power of architectural lighting design.stay tuned for more updates on this exciting journey!
We are pleased to announce that we have been selected to join the team of experts working on the ambitious “Transformation 1.535°” project in Lauchhammer, Brandenburg, Germany. This extensive project spans two sites: “ERZ” (ORE) with art casting museum, art foundry and Friedenskirche in Lauchhammer-Ost (13.8 ha) and “KOHLE” (COAL) with bio-towers, activated sludge basin and relic park in Lauchhammer-West (32.2 ha).
Our contribution to the planning and development team is the creation and implementation of the lighting concepts for the public space, the landscaping, the art casting museum, the new “Education and Experience Centre for Art Casting and Industrial Culture” and the famous listed bio-towers (see picture).
The “Transformation 1.535°” project is one of the most ambitious cultural and tourism initiatives in Germany, if not in Europe. Its aim is to transform the remnants of East Germany’s coal industry history into a vibrant centre for art, education and tourism.
An important part of this project is the expansion of the Lauchhammer Art Casting Museum into an “Education and Experience Centre for Art Casting and Industrial Culture”. This centre will honour the region’s rich industrial heritage while promoting modern educational and cultural experiences.
The Biotowers, a unique and impressive example of East German industrial culture, are at the centre of this transformation.
These structures, which once bore witness to the region’s industrial prowess, will be brought back to life through exhibitions, information programmes and innovative lighting concepts so that they can be preserved and appreciated for future generations.
We are delighted to be able to contribute to this epoch-making project and to contribute to its sustainable and holistic success with our expertise in the communicative and aesthetic power of architectural lighting design.stay tuned for more updates on this exciting journey!
Our lighting concept for Terminal 1 at Dresden International Airport aims to build a bridge to the future. In addition to technical lighting to ensure traffic safety, precise light differentiation of individual areas, levels and elements helps travellers find their way around.
The architectural lighting design emphasises the spatial quality and the unmistakable industrial architecture of the terminal and underlines the uniqueness of Dresden Airport. It supports the positioning of the airport as a modern, open and future-orientated location of international stature.
The lighting concept combines technical lighting and light art to visually depict themes such as flying, the sky and mobility and to create a symbolic link between the past, present and future. This concept gives the previously anonymous hall a narrative dimension that offers a special experience for air travellers from all over the world.
The “flying carpet“,(a carpet of light) consisting of numerous curved downlights under the hall roof, creatively provides adequate illumination of the floor and creates a unique aesthetic. A “cloud of light“ immerses the entrance hall in dynamically changing lighting moods and uses reflective moving elements to create a constantly changing interplay of light and shadow, which has a fascinating effect both in natural daylight and with artificial lighting.
A light and glass sculpture, made of holographic and dichroic elements, enables visitors to be symbolically “beamed“ into the universe.
Client: Flughafen Dresden GmbH
Services provided: Terminal 2017 lighting concept
fTotal theater area approx. 10,000 m², Concept, planning and management of the refurbishment of the ambient lighting in numerous functionally different sectors of the large theater building(s), encompassing circulation areas, staff offices, Four stages:
The new lighting concept and installation was developed to reduce energy consumption by at least 55% compared to the old lighting.
Background:
The conventional lighting system in the Brandenburg Theatre could no longer meet the requirements and standards in relation to energy costs and the sustainable long term running of the Theatre program.
Particularly against the background of inflation rates, the replacement of the lights represents a significant cost reduction for the BT, so that the theatre’s future operations can be guaranteed with as little financial intervention in the program budget as possible.
During the concept development it was our intention to achieve over all a higher quality of illumination of the various areas in accordance with the technical building, health and safety-related standards in symbiosis with architectural design considerations and improvements.
This is realised by a well-considered combination of replacing the light sources with LED products, replacing the luminaires, redesigning fixtures and updating the overall aesthetic of the theater depending on the importance and requirements of the individual area.
Client: bt Brandenburger Theater GmbH
Ongoing project 2024
for the optimisation of commercial outdoor lighting for energy-saving, climate and insect-friendly lighting
At the beginning, a comprehensive inventory is carried out as a holistic analysis of the situation on site with architectural, spatial and functional consideration and recording of the lighting points and individual emissions.
The involvement of the companies concerned is the basis for practicable solutions that have a chance of being realised in the future. In the course of developing the concept, it is checked what is needed to fulfil the operational task, safety – occupational health and safety, fire protection – and orientation to light.
Based on this, optimisation possibilities are identified and concrete proposals are derived. Once the concept has been completed, generally derivable optimisation proposals will be summarised in the form of a short brochure, which should and can be helpful in communication at other locations.
Client:
State Office for the Environment (Brandenburg), Westhavelland Nature and Star Park
Participating companies:
EEW Energy from Waste Premnitz GmbH
Blücher GmbH, Adsor-Tech operating site, SmarTex operating site
Project start: August 2024 Project end: December 2024
In 2024, the new construction of a 3-storey office and production building for the high-tech company “SONOTEC GmbH” was completed in Halle (Saale). The building, which has a gross floor area of approx. 4,500 m² and space for around 100 employees, is the latest location for the development and production of ultrasound solutions. The architecture and overall planning for this innovative building were carried out by the renowned Vollack GmbH & Co.
A customised lighting concept was developed for the construction project, which emphasises both the functional requirements and the aesthetic staging of the building. The lighting design was carried out by the internationally recognised lighting designer Ruairí O’Brien. In close coordination with the architectural plans and the specific wishes of the client, the building was impressively staged both from close up and from a distance. A skilful combination of design and functional lighting was used to accentuate the building’s façade in an impressive way, giving the building a striking and recognisable identity.
In addition to the development of the lighting concept, the services provided also included the application for the lighting for the outdoor advertising and the development of a detailed implementation concept. Ruairí O’Brien also took over the artistic direction during the realisation of the project to ensure that the design ideas were optimally implemented.
The completion and commissioning of the building, including the comprehensive lighting concept, took place in April 2024. The impressive photos documenting the result of the lighting installation were taken by Ruairí O’Brien himself and by Maik Preißer (photos x, y, z). Thanks to this collaboration, SONOTEC now has a modern, visually outstanding location that impresses both architecturally and in terms of lighting technology.
Ruairí O’Brien’s work of art “Eternity”, with its striking and at the same time simple elements in a material and metaphorical sense, forms a dignified space for remembering all victims of the National Socialist tyranny. The two vertical masts and the line of light floating horizontally between them mark and house the real Fre¬chen green space; At the same time, through the immaterial spaces in between, they inspire an unlimited mental wandering between times, spaces and events. A line crosses the sky and illuminates the ground below. At the same time, reference is made to the spatial and temporal significance of the topic. The meta-level created in this way, which can be perceived haptically / visually / with the senses, forms an expansion space and yet an ensemble with the information board designed for concrete, authoritative verbal information about the history.
“Simplicity gives complexity” – Simplicity allows and harbors great complexity here.
The work of art brings public attention to the central memorial site. It marks this central square as a central memorial day and night and symbolically refers to the places where the events took place. The work encourages you to linger, to pause, and offers flexible space for mediation work by institutions, groups and individual actors.
The line of light (bridge) that invites you to look, think and remember, it remains, it is always there.
The work of art has a noticeable day and night effect. Depending on the viewer’s location, depending on the time of year and day, depending on the weather, lighting conditions, environment and individual visitor’s condition, it develops its effect – sometimes more delicate, sometimes more intense, always with a long-distance and close-up effect.
Anyone who approaches the work of art opens up different perspectives and perceptions. Viewers are reflected in the masts, their gaze connecting their own self with the surroundings and the subject matter. The environment is reflected in it, light is reflected and directed.
Our lighting concept for the roofing of the central square on the campus of the German University in Cairo is intended to improve the evening use of this popular meeting place at the university.
During the day, the space is primarily used to provide catering for students and employees. It is also a place for meetings and presentations. Current information about university operations runs on the large screen. However, especially in summer, it is often not possible to use the space during the day because the temperatures are too high and people seek closed rooms or the shade. With this in mind, Ruairí O’Brien . Architects designed variants for attractive shading.
Further information can be found at the following link.
The users look for shade under the roof during the day and light in the evening. This will be possible in the future thanks to our lighting concept. Thanks to the attractive lighting, the roof now also offers extended usage options for the food court into the evening hours. The lights, individually designed for the shade roof, with flexibly changeable color temperatures and individually adjustable illuminance levels ensure optimally coordinated lighting on the usage area, depending on the type of event. At the same time, the underside of the roof is attractively presented so that people enjoy spending time under it.
We are excited to post our final design proposal for the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ireland
In this project, architecture, light and spatial art complement each other to provide the client with a solution to repair and enhance the courtyard areas of the German embassy in Dublin.
After successive and ongoing renovations of the embassy’s unique architecture with its six sided cluster concept, the courtyard areas required an architectural intervention to enhance the garden and courtyard areas for the staff to use on an everyday basis but also for formal and informal events.
The chosen design solution provides the embassy with a sculptural modular system that allows daylight interaction with dynamic reflective glass and stainless steel elements, provides seating and artificial lighting in different scenarios at night.
The nighttime scenarios can be controlled to create quiet peaceful scenes or spectacular light and sound immersive spatial experiences for the guests.
Client: Federal Office of Foreign Affairs Germany
On the way in light 2024, Potsdam
Enthusiasm for soundless music light composition at “Unterwegs im Licht”
Last Saturday (20.1.), the international team of light artist and architect Ruairí O’Brien accompanied the numerous cultural players in the center of Potsdam at the 10th anniversary of “Unterwegs im Licht”.
From dusk until late in the evening, O’Brien’s artistic soundless-music light composition moved simultaneously and synchronously through the color wheel of spectral light colors on all the buildings – including DAS MINSK, the Museum Barberini and the Garnison Church, which is currently being rebuilt. The rhythmically and visually varied choreography made it possible for children and non-children to experience color theory in the most entertaining form. In addition to the inspiring overall composition, which offered surprising changes of rhythm and sound in the form of visual sensory impressions, the laser show “Journey through the Stargate” in the city canal and the final performance on the Alter Markt were among this year’s highlights, according to numerous visitors.
Each of Ruairí O’Brien’s compositions for “Unterwegs im Licht” is unique in terms of the city-related themes, the facades involved, the color palette, the intensity and the tempi. Part of the architect and light artist’s special signature is to make each room and each building tangible in its individual character.
The illumination was realized by the following partners:
P3 Projekt GmbH (organization)
Ruairí O’Brien . Lighting Design (lighting concept)
TLT Event AG (technical realization)
Photos 1-3, 6-9: Leon Lenk
Photos 5-7, 10: Ruairi O’Brien . Lighting Design
The Christuskirche church in Bad Vilbel (A. O. Gulbransson, built in 1962) has been given a restrained yet impressive setting thanks to the lighting concept by Ruairí O’ Brien. Lichtdesign has given the church a restrained yet impressive setting. At the centre of the concept is the harmonious combination of architecture and light, which highlights the church building and in particular the striking tower.
The staging of the light space at the top of the tower creates an atmospheric long-distance effect that characterises the cityscape. The lighting elements – from hanging light objects to light lines on the supporting structures and targeted spotlights – create a calm but exciting lighting mood that makes the church a radiant landmark not only by day but also by night.
In addition, the backlighting of the church windows creates a poetic lighting composition that illuminates the church from inside and out. A vertical line of light emphasises the structure, while the gently diminishing brightness gives the building depth and character.
Ruairí O’ Brien’s lighting concept shows how light can support architecture and emotionally charge spaces. The Christuskirche in Bad Vilbel thus becomes a shining symbol of sacred architecture in a modern context.
The well-known mineral water town of BAD VILBEL is getting a lighting concept for its city center. The development of the content has been completed and a first rough version has now been handed over to the city administration. Final completion is planned for the end of the year and the concept will be officially presented at the beginning of the new year. The Handbook serves as an important tool to engage citizens, business owners, investors and city representatives in the decision-making processes necessary to ensure a future “people and nature” friendly, innovative and sustainable lighting strategy for its unique historic city center and riverfront . The city of BAD VILBEL is located in the south of the state of Hesse, in the immediate vicinity of the metropolis of Frankfurt am Main and is known for its mineral water springs. With the concept, which was implemented as part of the nationwide “Living Centers” program in Germany, the historic city receives an attractive, innovative and sustainable lighting concept to improve the evening ambience. Contents: Staging the historical building structure in the appropriate architectural lighting scenarios. Improving citizens’ sense of security at night. Development of a light guidance system inspired by the unique motif of the city’s natural spring water. Development of identity-related “City Light Art” scenarios for the riverfront. The lighting concept for Bad Vilbel is the seventh lighting master plan that we have developed for a city, a city district or a local center in recent years. #lightingdesign #citymarketing #light #lightplanning #lightdesign #architecture #urbanplanning #sustainabledesign #sustainablecities #brandidentity #lightdesign
St. Joseph’s Church (Architect Alexander Tandler) was consecrated in 1910 and is the first Art Nouveau reinforced concrete church in Dresden. The church was extensively rebuilt between 1970 and 1978 (Architect Hubert Paul). The sculptural work was carried out by Friedrich Press.
The current renovation includes the first floor as well as the first and second floors in the eastern part of the church building.
The lighting concept connects the various areas and uses of the community center, which is spread over three floors, with a common lighting language that enhances the architectural spaces and supports their flexible use by the congregation with energy-efficient lighting technologies.
The “light” spaces created offer a variety of lighting scenarios that optimally support the community in carrying out its secular and church activities, civic meetings, public and private events.
Planning areas:
Client: Catholic Parish of St. Martin, Dresden
Architect: Matthias Klut Dipl.-Ing. Freier Architekt
Lighting planning/ Lighting design: Ruairí O’Brien . Lichtdesign
Completion: 2023
More about the project:
As part of the Urbact project “USER”, and as part of the lighting concept for the 26er Ring, Ruairí O’Brien developed proposals for measures to reduce the separating effect of the railway viaduct as a break between the inner-city Dresden districts of Altstadt and Friedrichstadt using lighting design measures. In addition to the “dissolution” of the urban development barrier, the focus was on an attractive lighting design for the central traffic junction at Dresden-Mitte train station and increasing the safety of road users. Within several lighting concepts, the combination of flat, spatial and selective lighting effects were examined and corresponding proposals were developed. Client: City of Dresden Services: Light analysis / brainstorming / suggestions for measures
