Private villa P. outdoor lighting

Light as the 4th dimensions of architecture

Place: Dortmund

Category: Private Residences

Due to the great importance of the medium of light for the client, a concept for the lighting architecture was developed in parallel with the architecture right from the start, thus defining a night-time appearance of the building in addition to the daytime architecture. The lighting concept is divided into the areas of daylight planning, artificial lighting planning and outdoor lighting planning.

The lighting concept for the exterior follows the same principle as in the interior and places a strong emphasis on vertical surfaces. For example, the champagne-colored anodized facade is highlighted by particularly warm-toned facade spotlights. At night, the building cube, which is glass on three sides, appears to float on a surrounding cushion of light. The custom-made luminaires were installed flush in the ceiling following the façade grid and spread out linearly using a special lens. The light distribution was also directed 10 degrees away from the glass facade to prevent reflected glare on the panes. The all-round light cushion is illuminated more brightly at night than the interior and thus draws the eye into the nocturnal garden.

By illuminating vertical vegetation structures, nocturnal outdoor spaces are clearly defined and spatial depth is created. The extensive lighting of the trees on the eastern property border creates a visual spatial boundary at night and directs the view into the garden. The vertical lighting in the outdoor space eliminates the reflection effect of the windows and the view can wander into the distance. The interior expands, dark dreams of fear disappear.

As part of the garden planning, expressive, multi-stemmed hornbeams were planted in the main visual axes. These are accentuated at night by high-shielded in-ground lights. In addition, marble-pigmented object lights in the form of spheres were positioned in the grass beds.

The natural pool also becomes a light object at night. Compact special spotlights with an oval drawing lens accentuates the entire water surface and the plants with a defined grazing light. Another light with only 3W illuminates the brick wall with sharp edges. The luminaire positions are chosen to be glare-free when looking from the interior to the exterior.

As in the interior, the entire exterior lighting can be individually controlled digitally, networked with brightness and motion sensors and is therefore highly automated.

Architecture: Heiderich Architekten
Phtos Copyright ERCO
Photographer: Thomas Mayer