In Weil am Rhein, on the southwestern-most tip of Germany, the architectural firm Lederer Ragnarsdóttir Oei (LRO) worked with the Sparkasse Head Office Markgräflerland to develop an innovative new build that not only makes an urban statement, but sets standards in sustainable construction. BEGA luminaires form an integral component of the concept. They accentuate the building’s aesthetic elegance, and functionally and atmospherically illuminate the building interior and exterior.
The new Sparkasse head office is a building with four almost identical sides, which blends harmoniously into its surroundings. The four-storey place of business with 150 fixed workstations and 50 flexible workstations is more than just an administration building: in times of digital banking, it embodies Sparkasse’s promise to its customers of local presence. At the same time, it underlines the regional responsibility of the credit institute: local products and service providers were prioritised in the selection of the building materials, interior furnishings, and the planners and tradespeople involved in the new build. Its second core promise is sustainability: from the photovoltaic system on the green roof, which ensures energy self-sufficiency, to LED lighting with motion sensors – the resource-efficient concept is reflected in every detail of its design.
The exterior design of the Sparkasse head office presents a self-contained concept that consciously differentiates itself from the architectural style of the interior. A green space surrounds the building, which is slightly set back from the street, and creates a soft transition to its surroundings. There, two types of BEGA luminaires are used to atmospherically illuminate the outdoor areas. Wall luminaires mounted between the extensive window fronts emit their shielded light downward and upward. The facades serve as both an installation and reflection surface. In the green spaces next to and in front of the building, BEGA bollards with a 360° light emission ensure uniform illumination of the surfaces. They create an inviting atmosphere and accentuate the clean design language after dark. The combination of the two luminaire types enables differentiated outdoor lighting that satisfies the need for safety, orientation and aesthetics in equal measure.
Client Sparkasse Markgräflerland
Architect LRO Lederer Ragnarsdóttir Oei, Stuttgart
