Metall Auer
Wernstein |Office
Architect: cdx.concepte.daxner
Project Description
The office and corporate spaces at Metall Auer follow a clear geometric order that is consistently continued through the lighting. Linear lighting systems take up existing spatial axes and connect ceiling structure, work areas and spatial sequences within a shared design principle.
Uniform light supports the work areas, while directed accents respond to selected surfaces. In particular, the large-format timber surfaces are deliberately incorporated into the spatial perception through light, giving them a stronger presence among the more neutral architectural surfaces.
The lighting is therefore guided not only by functional requirements, but equally by geometry and materiality. Linear runs extend existing directions, while vertical lighting makes material transitions and defining surfaces visible.
The result is a working environment in which light is not added to the architectural order, but developed from it. Spatial axes, use and material remain perceptible as distinct components and are connected by the lighting into a coherent spatial expression.
Project Information
Architecture Type: Contemporary office and corporate architecture with a geometric spatial order, open areas, transparent transitions and defining timber surfaces.
Lighting Concept & Design Approach: The lighting is derived from spatial axes, use and materiality. Linear systems continue the geometric order of the architecture, uniform light supports work areas, and directed or vertical lighting highlights defining material surfaces.
Luminaire Integration: Predominantly linear lighting systems integrated into the ceiling structure, complemented by directed light sources and targeted illumination of vertical surfaces.
Spatial Effect: An ordered working environment with a clearly perceptible spatial direction and differentiated material expression, in which the timber surfaces in particular gain visual prominence.
Questions about lighting design for contemporary offices
- How can linear light follow existing spatial axes in office interiors?
Linear lighting systems can be aligned parallel to architectural lines and spatial directions. At Metall Auer, the geometric order of the architecture therefore continues through the lighting.
- What role does light play in the perception of timber surfaces?
Targeted light on timber makes grain, texture and material colour more perceptible. At Metall Auer, the large timber surfaces therefore gain a deliberate visual presence in contrast to the more neutral architectural surfaces.
- Why are vertical surfaces also illuminated in offices?
Vertical lighting brings walls and material surfaces more strongly into spatial perception. It can reveal changes in material and extend the perception of a room beyond the illumination of horizontal work surfaces alone.
- How can functional office lighting and architecture be combined?
Lighting can respond to existing spatial axes, materials and proportions. It therefore fulfils functional requirements while simultaneously becoming part of the architectural order.
- How does material selection influence office lighting design?
Different materials react differently to light and affect reflection, brightness and surface perception. Their behaviour should therefore be considered when positioning and aiming light sources.
- Why should lighting follow the geometry of a space?
When lines of light take up existing directions, architecture and lighting do not create competing orders. At Metall Auer, this principle supports the linear design and connects different spatial sequences.
