AWO headquarters in Mönchengladbach-Rheydt.

Coordinated lighting concept for motivated work.

In summer 2019, the Mönchengladbach district association of the Workers' Welfare Association (AWO) moved into its new headquarters. Clearly visible not far from Rheydt's market square, the welfare association has concentrated its operations, which were previously spread across the city, such as the district association's office, the advice center, translators and educational institutions, under one roof. The new contact point has not only improved customer service and optimized internal processes. The refurbishment saved a striking building complex in the city center from decay.

Spacious, open room concept and places of retreat.

The new meeting place thrives on the spaciousness, openness and brightness of the rooms. The centerpiece is the huge former sales hall that has been converted for customer traffic. The white concrete walls and ceilings, the visible trusses, cable ducts, ventilation pipes and Brumberg pendant luminaires from the BIRO40 lighting channel system emphasize the functional charm of the architecture. To ensure that people are not lost in the spaciousness of the building, the hall was visually parceled out. While the white supporting pillars give structure to the sheer expanse of the space to the right and left, the colorful floor coverings form visual corridors. They connect the island-shaped tables and seating groups with each other. The consulting offices for confidential customer meetings are a fun ensemble. They were modeled on beach huts and flank a long wall of the hall.

BIRO40 lighting channel system sets clear lines.

The façade-sized windows on the first floor allow an unrestricted view from outside to inside and vice versa. The daylight virtually floods the hall, supported by BIRO40 pendant luminaires. They set clear lines and enable precise accentuation of the light in the room. In the spacious hall, the striking profile luminaires are arranged as a cross above the seating areas and contribute to the spatial structure. The geometry radiates calm and familiarity. The light is an important orientation aid to highlight the paths and meeting zones. In each of the consulting offices, a free-hanging pendant luminaire provides uniform illumination.<meta charset="UTF-8" />

The spaciousness and openness is also continued in the offices and seminar rooms on the upper floor. The bright atmosphere emphasizes the modern workstations. As on the first floor, the different work zones stand out from one another thanks to the color accentuation of the floor and furniture. Linear BIRO40 pendant luminaires installed above the open workstations provide harmonious brightness. The glare-free light promotes a pleasant working atmosphere and protects against rapid fatigue. A particular advantage is that employees can adjust the lighting mood, color temperature and amount of light to suit their preferences. In conjunction with the acoustic sails, the BIRO40 pendant luminaires mounted transversely and longitudinally emphasize the clear dynamics of the rooms and at the same time conceal structural unevenness such as the sloping ceiling.