Shining architectural rejuvenation in Düsseldorf

A transition has taken place, in Düsseldorf, in the old quarter of town where an eyesore of old harbor buildings once stood, but which now boasts a host of architecturally impressive office buildings made all the more striking with a wash of exterior lighting.

American architect Frank O. Gehry, the same Frank O. Gehry who designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain and who is presently working on the Walt Disney Opera House in Los Angeles, is the man responsible for the spectacular design.

The new complex, Der Neue Zollhof, features three buildings all made of different architectural materials – white plaster, noncorrosive steel and red brick – and are occupied by the German insurance company Gerling, a marketing agency and by the company responsible for the construction of the three landmark structures, Philip Holzman AG.

The buildings were illuminated by 8 Martin Exterior 600 luminaires from a distance of between 15 and 30 meters. The play of light from one building to the next, especially the mix of color and substance, as if the material itself was transposed onto the adjacent buildings, made for a spectacular sight. Coupled with the unique architectural design, the buildings themselves stood as pieces of art.

The lighting concept was developed by Ronald Bergerhausen of Hamburg- based Lichtspiel Gmbh while all lights were supplied by Martin distributor Martin Professional Gmbh.