Company News • 10.10.2008

Optimum lighting quality for perfect coverage

The Messe Frankfurt Press Centre is shining in new splendour

Zumtobel illuminates the new press centre of the Frankfurt fair with new LED technology for an efficient illumination in an impressive scenery.

Just in time for this autumn’s new trade fair season, the Press Centre of Messe Frankfurt presents itself in an entirely new light. After one year of refurbishment, journalists have now at their disposal 450 square metres of modern premises allowing for efficient work as well as a creative exchange of ideas. Furthermore, a special lighting solution by Zumtobel was installed to optimise the Press Centre’s lighting system.

The Messe Frankfurt Press Centre serves as a central contact point for journalists to obtain their accreditation or collect current press releases during trade fair events. The media and writing rooms equipped with state-of-the-art fittings and furniture provide a quiet atmosphere for specialised journalists, allowing them to work directly on site. The main challenge was therefore to find a common approach to the different requirements of the individual sections, from entrance area and workstations to bar and recreation areas. When journalists enter the spacious premises, they tread on beautifully dark wooden parquet flooring. A bright window front provides plenty of daylight, while the opposite wall is covered with plants to form a creative counterpart full of contrasts. Thus, an interesting interplay of light and shadow is created which enhances the entire effect of the room.

The highlight of the Press Centre designed by Matteo Thun is a newly installed fireplace in the Press Hall, the journalists’ meeting point. Boasting a footprint of 8.5 x 1.5 metres and a height of 4.2 metres, the whole fireplace is lined with dark slate slabs. As a unique technical lighting feature, 335 specially designed Sconfine Cubo luminaires have been flush-fitted into the slabs, scattered in a seemingly random pattern. The surface-mounted luminaire by Zumtobel is equipped with innovative LED technology. Each individual luminaire contains a 1.2 W LED board invisibly accommodated in the chrome-plated housing with built-in control gear. While standard versions are available in white or blue, the cubes used for this special solution are able to produce different shades of warm white light. The light emitted by these LEDs creates a dynamic scenario consisting of different shades of white light. Thus, the open fire seems to be visible from all sides through openings all over the fireplace.

”By integrating Sconfine Cubo into the fireplace we have managed to create a special lighting atmosphere which invites journalists to tarry awhile. The elegant, specially developed lighting solution blends harmoniously into the premises of the Press Centre, allowing for a unique association of light and fire", as Peter Roos, Project Manager International Projects for Hospitality & Wellness from Zumtobel Dornbirn, describes the very special lighting concept.

New light was also brought to the entrance area of the Press Centre. Providing pure glare-free lighting from the ceiling, Slotlight light lines perfectly illuminate the reception desk and the lobby. With their clear, uncluttered shape and their unobtrusive look, Slotlight luminaires seem to provide lighting without luminaire bodies: slim and trendy light lines catch the eye. Thus, journalists are welcomed by a bright and friendly atmosphere upon entering the Press Centre, while at the same time functional lighting comfort is ensured for the trade fair team working on the premises.

With a turnover of EUR 424 million (2007) and a staff of more than 1,400 world-wide, Messe Frankfurt is the biggest German trade fair organisation. Events "made by Messe Frankfurt” are held at over 30 locations all over the world.

Pressecenter Messe Frankfurt

• Client:
  • Messe Frankfurt Press Centre, Frankfurt/DE
     
• Architect:
  • Matteo Thun, studio Thun, Milan/IT
  • g2 Groeger und Greulich, Munich/DE
     
• Electrical designer:
  • Schad-Hölzel GmbH & Co.KG Beratende Ingenieure, Mörfelden/DE
     
• Electrical installations:
  • R+S solution Holding AG, Fulda/DE
     
• Lighting solutions:
  • specially designed Sconfine Cubo one-unit modules without any hollow attachments and with three different light colours of white
  • 2-length Slotlight

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