AWO headquarters in Mönchengladbach-Rheydt.
Light gives structure.
In summer 2019, the Mönchengladbach district association of the Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO) moved into its new headquarters. Clearly visible not far from Rheydt's market square, the welfare association is concentrating its operations, which were previously scattered throughout the city, such as the district association's office, the counseling center, translators and educational institutions under one roof. The new contact point has not only improved customer service and optimized internal processes. The renovation has also saved a prominent building complex in the city center from decay.
Spacious, open room concept and places of retreat.
The new meeting place thrives on the expanse, openness and brightness of the rooms. The centerpiece is the huge former sales hall converted for customer traffic. The white concrete walls and ceilings, the visible trusses, cable ducts, ventilation pipes and Brumberg pendant luminaires of the BIRO40 light channel system emphasize the functional charm of the architecture. To ensure that people do not get lost in the spatial generosity, 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 optical corridors. They connect the island-shaped tables and seating groups with each other. The consulting offices for confidential customer meetings are a witty ensemble. They were modeled on beach huts and flank one long wall of the hall.
BIRO40 light channel system sets clear lines.
The façade-sized windows on the first floor allow an unrestricted view from outside to inside and vice versa. Daylight virtually floods the hall, supported by BIRO40 pendant luminaires. They set clear lines and enable precise accentuation of light in the room. In the spacious hall, the striking profile luminaires are each arranged as a cross above the seating groups and contribute to the spatial structuring. 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.
Coordinated lighting concept for motivated work.
The spaciousness and openness is also continued in the offices and seminar rooms on the upper floor. The bright atmosphere emphasizes the modern workplaces. As on the first floor, the different work zones are distinguished from one another by the colorful accentuation of the floor and furniture. Above the open workstations, linearly installed BIRO40 pendant luminaires 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 transverse and longitudinal BIRO40 pendant luminaires emphasize the clear dynamics of the rooms and at the same time conceal structural irregularities such as the sloping ceiling.
Project impressions
