In fall 2003 the four professional associations of the North Rhine medical establishment moved into their new quarters in Düsseldorf. From the atrium through the offices to the amenities - flexible solutions from Siteco gener-ate a perfect light atmosphere in this architecturally ambitious building.

Oneness in diversity

The new service and competence center houses the medical associations and their facilities under a single roof. Bringing together four different organizations in one building called for creative architecture. Despite the tight financial framework, the "oneness in diversity" concept of the Düsseldorf architects RKW Rhode Kel-lermann Wawrowsky, Architektur + Städtebau resulted in a structure that the mu-nicipality of Düsseldorf sees as an outstanding architectural achievement – an open, transparent building complex that manages to communicate the separate identity of its users.

The building conveys oneness through its compact, cubic form with clear con-tours under a connecting glass roof. Diversity is created by breaking down the overall form into four L-shaped structures of different height. Each medical asso-ciation is housed in one of the four office buildings, arranged around a number of inner courtyards. The oneness of the four L-shaped buildings is emphasized by the embracing glass roof. The hall below this encloses all the part structures. With the shared amenities reception, waiting area, cafeteria and the large venue for staging events, this so-called warm hall forms the core of the building.

Synergy and economy

The Düsseldorf Medical Administration Center reflects the wish of the North Rhine medical associations for greater cooperation and a consolidated outward image, while maintaining the identity of the participating organizations. At the same time, the new building is intended to demonstrate efficient use of financial resources. Lower operating costs and the synergy that result from shared use and management of facilities like conference rooms and a canteen produce very substantial savings. Furthermore, faster access and coordination between the as-sociations mean improved service for members. Last but not least, modern and flexible office concepts can be implemented in the new building, promising more efficient use of space.

Flexible office use

A primary aim of the project was to create an environment that promotes commu-nication and allows for the specific corporate needs of the four organizations. The employees of the medical associations will work in a mixed office landscape matched to their requirements: 80% combi or team combi offices, and 20% cellu-lar offices and open-structured group offices. To ensure flexibility for the future, the concept of what is called the reversible office has been pursued here, allow-ing effective use of space, and at the same time reducing the costs of later or-ganizational changes. A basic feature of this is dividing walls that can be shifted on their axis without any major conversion effort. Additionally, the corridor wall of a cellular office can be pushed back against the façade to create combi zones.

Diversity of light

The leitmotif "oneness in diversity" also shows through the lighting concept. Be-yond the indispensable functionality, the aim here, matching the architects' con-cept, was to coherently accentuate a complex structure with a large number of in-dividual areas. The architects conceived a sequence of multilevel, colossal cold and warm halls – a particular challenge for the lighting consultant. This meant de-vising and implementing light atmosphere for special functions and situations of use.

Open and bright reception

The lighting systems that are used – point sources for atmospheric light accents, asymmetrical floodlights and luminaires for general room illumination – were inte-grated into the so-called light capital. The ceiling area about the almost 18-meter-high concrete columns was provided with a planar light grating. All light sources are installed on the other side of this plane and, turned on in different combina-tions, can generate a spectrum of differentiated light atmospheres. The following luminaires are used here: 16 Monsun linear fluorescent luminaires lamped with 2 x 58 W, separately switched, four SiCOMPACT MINI spotlights with 1 x 50 W HQI, and eight recessed spotlights in a custom version with 35 W HQI lamps.

Flexible lighting for office and communication

The combi office zones, cellular offices and conference rooms are differently illu-minated by two systems, corresponding to the room concept. Pendant luminaires with direct/indirect radiating light and a custom recessed luminaire system with room-specific decorative and specular louver inserts create the right illumination for VDU workplaces on the one hand and a pleasant light atmosphere on the other.

To be ready for possible repositioning of walls, the pendant luminaires in the façade region were mounted on each axis at right angles to the façade. The project-specific rectangular recessed luminaires, fitted with Dulux 1 x TC-L 55 W compact fluorescent lamps, are especially ingenious. They can be altered, almost as simply as pushing a button, to match the particular room situation or viewing requirements.

Printed cover glasses in semi-frosted finish in the conference and access core can be simply replaced by the specular louver inserts used in the combi zones. In other words, converting from a corridor luminaire (decorative glass) to a VDU workplace luminaire or vice versa is possible at any time without having to exchange the luminaire itself. This is optimal for the event that the room arrange-ment is altered in the course of time. Finally, this project-specific luminaire is also integrated in the reception and cafeteria areas of the hall, with two incandescent lamp spots added (Dulux 1 x TC-L 36 W compact fluorescent lamp combined with two incandescent lamp spots 2 x PAR 30 or 50 W).

Seminar rooms, training areas and rest rooms are illuminated by ceiling-recessed Lunis_E downlights. Dampproof Monsun demonstrate their versatility not only for the general lighting of the hall areas. These luminaires, which come with an injec-tion molded prismatic diffuser of PMMA, are also used in building services control areas and the parking floors. SiCOMPACT MINI spotlights, in addition to their use for hall illumination, light the entrances and exits of the parking garage.

The lighting concept is consequently very flexible, matching present requirements and allowing for possible future changes in office arrangements.

Client:  Bauherrengemeinschaft Haus der Ärzteschaft GbR, Ärztekammer Nordrhein, Nordrheinische Ärzteversorgung, Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Nordrhein

Architects:  RKW Rhode Kellermann Wawrowsky; Architektur + Städtebau, Düsseldorf

Lighting consultants:  Dreist + Partner, Düsseldorf

Photos:  Ansger M. van Treeck, Düsseldorf