July 09, 2008 - The Sparkasse Lemgo – the Lemgo Savings Bank – has recently given its customers a big surprise at its Hohenhausen branch with an impressive new concept. The existing situation was in great need of restructuring – also as regards efficiency. The savings bank’s management has opted for the light of the future, the LED. So now the very first savings bank in Germany which is lit throughout by luminaires based on LED has opened its doors. The task at hand was to find a lighting solution that addresses not only the component of economics, but also that of design. All the project partners are delighted with the solution – the Sparkasse will use the branch as a reference project. Says Werner Simon, construction representative of the Sparkasse Lemgo, about the solution: “We deliberately decided to break new ground with the lighting concept. It was important for us to use energy-efficient light sources and optimally exploit the saving potential of the lighting system through a modern lighting management system.”

An attractive blend of general lighting and dynamic accents gives the Sparkasse service areas a futuristic, modern ambience 

The benefits of Light Emitting Diodes are based on their extremely compact dimensions, which pave the way for completely new luminaire design, excellent energy efficiency and a service life of up to 50,000 hours. These properties make the LED the light source of the future.

Since this construction project mainly involved refurbishment, many structural conditions had to be integrated into the planning process. The extremely short schedule of a mere eight weeks for completing the work was met thanks to the expert teamwork of client, planners and the electrical installation company. Comments Oliver Mahler, project manager of the electrical installation company, Schlau Elektrotechnik GmbH: “This project could be implemented successfully thanks to concerted action by the team representing the building services involved, the planners in charge of the Sparkasse, the professional collaboration with Zumtobel, and the efforts mace by our employees.”

Fascinating LED luminaires with variable colours catch the eye

In the entrance area, customers are welcomed by a dynamic lighting scenario in variable colours. High-quality background lighting of at least 300 lux is imperative in this zone, because cashpoint and service machines have to be properly illuminated. The new Tempura LED downlights are ideal for this task. The LED downlight provides extremely efficient and simultaneously flexible ambient lighting. It offers the opportunity of rendering different colour temperatures in the range between 2,700 and 6,500 kelvins, and moreover every point in the colour spectrum. Various lighting scenarios can be programmed – depending of the time of day – by means of the Luxmate Emotion lighting management system. Swivelling Panos downlights each with 3 x 1 W LEDs are used to highlight the self-service machines and the information displays. The displays are illuminated uniformly and with plenty of contrast, facilitating keyboard input. LED light ribbons in variable colours installed in the coves provide additional attractive accents.

The dimensions of the previous luminaires in the information and waiting areas were adopted for a special module fitted with one Tempura LED downlight and two swivelling Panos downlights. In addition to ambient lighting, special attention was paid here to adequate illumination of the walls, so as to highlight real-estate information and currently billed topics. This has been brilliantly achieved by swivelling Panos downlights.

The strongroom zone counted as one of the neglected areas in the previous solution, and the aim was to visually enhance it by means of a new lighting design. In order to add visual appeal and highlight the way even before getting to the strongroom, Ledos recessed luminaires with LEDs in variable colours were integrated into the floor. A dynamic brightness sequence was configured via the lighting control system, attracting the customers’ attention to the zone. This sequence is also continued in the strongroom’s anteroom. 2-Light recessed miniature downlights have been integrated into the strongroom, fitted with two separately controlled LEDs. In this way, the white direct light is amplified by ambience light in variable colours.

All areas are controlled by the Luxmate Emotion lighting management system. Since the branch has a south-facing double-glazed façade, it is eminently suitable for a daylight-based lighting management system. The Luxmate Professional control system by Zumtobel ensures that the creation of daylight-based lighting scenes is an uncomplicated procedure. It is also possible to implement a presence-based control system and to pre-programme a variety of lighting scenes.

The newly designed lighting solution in the Sparkasse combines outstanding lighting quality with impressive energy efficiency. In comparison with the previous lighting system, operating costs could be reduced by around 70 per cent. In addition to savings in primary energy consumption, savings have also been achieved through a reduced cooling load owing to the lower thermal output of the luminaires, and maintenance costs fell practically to zero.

By deliberately opting for a lighting solution based on cost-efficient LED technology, the Sparkasse Lemgo is now positioned as a trendsetter in environmental protection and demonstrates the potential of combining a high-quality solution with the responsible use of energy resources.

Project information: Sparkasse Lemgo, Hohenhausen-Kaltetal
Client:                                            Sparkasse Lemgo
Construction representative:         Werner Simon, Sparkasse Lemgo
Electrical installations:                   Schlau Elektrotechnik GmbH
Lighting solution:                           Zumtobel