Lutron Electronics harmonizes lighting and sound in the renovated Dargun Abbey

An acoustic ceiling made with the latest technology materials and a modern lighting system based on Lutron Electronics management and control systems have configured the renovation project carried out at Dargun Abbey, a monumental building located in Northern Germany, to celebrate all types of events.

How can you give life to a monumental building in ruins from the 13th century? With an acoustic ceiling made of high-tech materials and a modern lighting system. These have been the key elements, developed by specialist Lutron Electronics, to transform Dargun Abbey, in northern Germany, in a modern venue to celebrate all types of events, like concerts, private art exhibitions and conferences.

This is how Jan Ewald explains it, light management expert from Lutron Electronics: “The key to success has been carrying out a rehabilitation project in which light and acoustics go hand in hand. This has allowed us to give light to a modern space, but that maintains its traditional charm and that hosts a wide variety of events”.

The construction of the abbey grounds dates back to the year 1172, when a first chapel was built that was part of the monastery complex. At the end of World War II, The facility had a fire that devastated everything., although and thanks to the involvement of the citizens of Dargun and the group of restaurateurs, the complex was eventually included in the official list of monuments of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR).

As part of the ambitious and complex renovation project, New windows and doors were added to the abbey and a modern roof was added in the year 1991, but there were two fundamental areas in this transformation that still needed to be rehabilitated: acoustics and lighting.

difficult starting point: gloomy atmosphere and poor acoustics

One of the biggest challenges in facing this project was the poor acoustics in the restored pavilion nave., since its original design made it difficult for the public to hear the speakers during the presentations, even when they were sitting just a few feet away. Besides, The old lighting projected a gloomy atmosphere inside the building., even during the day.

The architect Martin Beyer, responsible for the rehabilitation of the premises, He emphasizes in this regard that “this unwelcoming atmosphere did not correspond to the elegance of the abbey.”. “I needed an urgent change”. The contract to develop a renovated event project was finally awarded in 2011, with financing from the German state of Mecklenburg and donations from private entities.

A new lighting concept

Based on an expert's evaluation, Those responsible for managing the project decided that, instead of building a flat roof, The solution was to incorporate an acoustic one that reflected the character of the Gothic cross vault that had been destroyed.. “In contrast to the flat roof, The high-tech materials integrate perfectly into the historic atmosphere of the building. “The structure of the acoustic covering recovers the characteristic style of the original geometry of the vaults and reduces reverberation.”, Beyer points out.

In addition, A lighting solution needed to be found that could be seamlessly integrated into the old foundations and was easy to use.. After 3D digital analysis, The option chosen was the Homeworks QS system from Lutron Electronics.

The first phase of installation began in December 2013 and the project was completed in its entirety in February of this year. For the new ceiling acoustics, three textile ceilings have been installed (out of 10×10 meters each) extended on an aluminum structure, unique so far in Germany, located in the central part of the building and is only attached to the walls.

The lighting solution has combined tradition and modernity to create a stunning effect inside the abbey. Plus three candelabras, a total of 28 dimmable halogen lamps, whose installation on the wall caused many headaches, since “there are no perfect angles in the abbey – represses Detlef Jeenicke, Lutron representative advisor and lighting consultancy Light of architecture in this project-. The objective was to illuminate irregular surfaces with straight beams”.

Added to this was the thickness of the walls (approximately one meter) to be drilled. One of the consequences of this was that the WLAN router, a key element to control lighting technology, It was to be installed inside the abbey instead of outside., and finally it was decided to place it under the organ.

Efficiency and flexibility with Homeworks QS

Both the architect and the building managers agreed to choose Lutron's Homeworks QS system for the lighting of the abbey, “since this system allows you to set up different lighting scenarios in a simple way, without requiring additional programming work”, underlines Detlef Jeenicke.

In total, eleven different lighting scenarios have been pre-installed that offer ideal conditions to create all types of environments depending on the activity carried out., as guided tours, religious services, concerts, etc. The Homeworks QS system control unit is located in a side room of the abbey and can be activated via the WLAN router with an iPhone or iPad.

Another advantage of the Lutron system is its efficiency, which ensures that halogen lamps, even when they give their maximum shine, just use the 90% of its power. This deliberate reduction results in longer lamp life without placing any further restrictions on users., that can dim the light of the luminaires of a 1 al 100%.

Homeworks QS also offers four DMX connection circuits, so that the external sound team and the lighting technician can integrate their equipment into the already existing technical structure and, For example, activate light scenes during events.

For the head of Lutron, “Dargun Abbey is an example of what can be achieved when lighting designers and architects work hand in hand.”. The combination of the building's acoustics and the lighting installation have given new life to this unique building.".