Dexia B.I.L

Dexia B.I.L
Esch-Belval, 2006
Lighting objects and light planning for the entrance of an administrative building
Ingo Maurer created two custom-made designs and a lighting object for the new administrative building of Dexia, Banque Internationale du Luxembourg. The office complex in Esch-Belval, a district recently developed in Luxembourg is a project by the French architect Claude Vasconi. The atrium, which serves as entrance hall to the building, is a construction of steel and glass. An extraordinary metal structure supports the roof. The rhythm of this structure is taken up and broken by Maurer’s light installation. The tubes delineate a zigzag and at first glance look like coloured neon tubes. Infact LED technology has been adopted, which facilitates maintenance, an important factor 12 to 15 meter above floor. Thanks to the glass roof and walls, the installation in the atrium is visible from above and from outside. Depending on the viewer’s position, it seems to have a variety of appearances, differing in size and colour. “From the outside, it is a visual landmark like a neon sign – which I am absolutely fascinated with. But without the boredom of nowerdays ever repeated brand logos. I wanted to give the atrium a special visual stimulus, which is responsive to Claude Vasconi's powerful construction. As a welcoming gesture for those who walk through the entrance every day as well as for visitors.” Ingo Maurer Apart from the primarily decorative installation, the atrium is equipped with seven large scale floor lamps, with a height of approx. five meters. The large fibreglass dish (230 cm in diameter) at the upper end of the pole reflects and diffuses the light, while some falls straight to the ground through the opening in the middle, just opposite of the light sources. Instead of using massive bases, the poles are fastened in recessed floor mountings. 20 outlets for seven lamps provide flexible possibilities to reposition the lighting fixture, which are also rotatable in the mounting. Three ceiling lamps light up the longish, comparatively low expo-room, a space conceived for smaller receptions and exhibtions. A flat dish, similar to those in the atrium, but made of carbon fibre, is fastened directly on the ceiling and lit from below. A smaller dish, facing upwards, contains the light source. Both are connected by a diagonally positioned rod. With its inside lacquered white with a matt finish, the large upper dishes create a unique lighting atmosphere intensified by the shadows on the ceiling.

​Fotos: Tom Vack