In keeping with the industrial past of the Sulzer site, vogtpartner designed a lighting scheme that celebrates the vast architectural space, while still creating an inviting atmosphere for university students.
The new 6,000 square metre library for the Zürich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) is situated in an old industrial park of Winterthur that was formerly operated by the Sulzer manufacturing plant. Since 1990 the industrial park had gradually been converted into residential and commercial spaces, as well as recreational and educational facilities. In November 2012, five ZHAW libraries were consolidated into a single, modern one with plans drawn up by P & B Partner Architects that called for the conversion of Sulzer Hall 87.
The three-storey building was constructed as a steel skeleton with reinforced concrete floor slabs. The curtain-wall façade consists of cement cladding and large glazing panels. For the renovation, the defining architectural elements were retained. Mezzanine floors were installed in a few areas, but the omnipresent, riveted steel uprights, crossbeams and old crane tracks, which span across the rooms, remained untouched. Due to the spaciousness of the building, lighting designers vogtpartner were faced with the challenge of finding luminaires which would not only enhance the original industrial architecture, but also provide appropriate illumination at desk level from high above. A perfect solution was found in a classically shaped luminaire
made by Fluora, which has a parabolic shade and a cylindrical top that houses LED modules and drivers from Tridonic. Despite varying ceiling heights, Tridonic’s extensive portfolio of LED modules and drivers allowed for a single luminaire design to be individually fitted according to specific room requirements.
One hall with a ceiling height of eleven meters houses the library, administrative offices and a café. On the first floor are classrooms; on the second floor, student learning and reading areas with large-scale skylights. The lighting design was tailored to promote focused, quiet study, creative exchanges in rooms for student groups, and the transfer of knowledge in learning environments that help learners remain sharp and alert. Generous skylights allow plenty of daylight to enter the building; but to avoid so-called ‘black holes’ at night, they are illuminated with specially adapted, linear LED tubes from LIG in the deep blue colour of a twilight sky.
The main staircase is illuminated with recessed LED strips, custom made by LIG, that have 360° louvres to reduce spill light. The vast working space at ground level receives intelligent, general lighting that fades back as daylight levels increase, while allowing individuals to control their own lighting needs with Tolomeo table lamps made by Artemide. Modern Artemide table and floor lamps on the second floor can be adapted to individual and group needs.
Through practical and versatile illumination, vogtpartner thus helped convert a vast industrial space into a beautiful new library that retains the rugged charm of the building’s industrial past.
