Library luminaire
Zurich University of the Arts

A prime requirement for library lighting is that it should provide excellent reading light. This is followed by the need for a robust construction and naturally also energy efficiency, an aspect that is being accorded ever greater importance and not just in spaces the public uses. These basic requirements determined the design of the reading luminaires which serien.lighting developed especially for the library of the Zurich University of the Arts.

The result is a fine library luminaire called Rolf, which when installed in groups blends harmoniously with the reading room’s architecture. Rolf consists of an extruded aluminium section bent at a 90 degree angle and featuring an integrated cable duct. The round light outlet at the front end of the horizontal arm houses the very latest LED technology, namely a Philips Matrix LED, providing direct reading light of 780 lumens that is easy on the eyes and long-lasting into the bargain. The LED unit can be replaced ensuring the luminaire has a long life.

Adjustment features that would be subject to wear and tear are not included given the luminaires’ frequent use. Consequently, though it is possible to adjust the lamp’s scope by swivelling the base to provide readers with a well-lit area, to prevent glare it is not height adjustable. Rather the height is set and so conceived that the reader looks out across the lamp and cannot be dazzled by the light. A dimming function was deliberately omitted to preserve the room’s homogenous appearance. An ON/OFF function allows each user to switch the luminaire on and off themselves. In addition, a clever modification to the mains adapter means the property management firm can switch off all the luminaires centrally when the library closes in the evening. A total of 89 lamps were supplied for the project.

CaseZürcher Hochschule der KünsteContractorAllreal Toni AG, ZürichArchitectEM2N Architekten AG, ZürichLight PlannerVogt & Partner, Winterthur, Projektleiter Andreas Gut