Mannheim – GERMANY
A place Mannheim is the second-largest city in the German state of Baden- Württemberg. The town is located at the confluence of the Rhine and the Neckar rivers. The Planken, a 5-kilometre-long shopping avenue in Mannheim, has been attracting buyers and traders since the mid- 18th century when people from all over south-west Germany came to shop, take a stroll or discover new things. Today, it is the premier retail destination in the region, where people can peruse large department stores and small boutiques selling everything from international brands to traditional and local produce, and experience the city’s culinary delights.
A need The city launched a public realm strategy to make this pedestrian- friendly avenue more welcoming for shoppers, residents, visitors and workers, well into the future. The plan, drawn up by architect Dr Holl, featured new pavements, new tram tracks with barrier-free stops, special guided routes for blind people and new street furniture to make the experience more appealing and fluid. The city wanted a stylish, energy- efficient lighting solution that would create a cosy ambiance yet reflect the city’s entrepreneurial spirit.
A Schréder SIGNATURE solution In collaboration with the lighting designers at licht raum stadt planung, Schréder SIGNATURE designed a tailor-made luminaire to create a strong sense of identity, improve guidance, allow access to the retail units and encourage people to linger and use the facilities. The high-end cylindrical-shaped light fixture was inspired by a refined and minimalistic design. It has been fitted with carefully designed LED optics that meet safety, security, and visibility requirements. They deliver a soft white light (3000K), reduce unwanted light spill and create a warm, welcoming ambiance. The smooth protector with a special diffuser reinforces visual comfort at night. Just over 400 luminaires installed in different configurations light the long pedestrian thoroughfare and junctions. They draw people through, providing gentle and intuitive guidance so that they feel safe, secure, and at ease to continue shopping as natural light fades. The city is thrilled with the new lighting. The contemporary design is authentic to the city’s character and creates an enjoyable experience for visitors after dark, thus driving footfall. The low energy consumption is also helping the city address its environmental targets.
Project partners Architect: Dr. Holl
Lighting design: licht raum stadt planung Landscape architect: Angela Bezzenberger
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