The Neue Nationalgalerie is one of the icons of classical modernism. It was built in West Berlin between 1965 and 1968 according to the designs of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. After almost 50 years of use, David Chipperfield Architects were commissioned to plan and implement a sensitive renovation.

Arup was commissioned with the lighting design and daylight planning. One main task was to develop a sustainable, nearly ‘invisible’ lighting design, reconciling a wide range of disciplines such as monument conservation, art science, and technology. While maintaining the original lighting layout and meeting stringent conservation and architectural standards, our lighting specialists developed an upgrade concept and design that fulfils the curatorial, conservational, functional, technical, and economic requirements of a 21st century museum.

Balancing historic preservation and innovation

Around 2,400 existing luminaries were carefully restored and their position in the ceiling preserved. The light distribution of the period luminaires in the room and on the walls was under a strict preservation order, as were the luminaries themselves. The luminaire housings and optical components originally designed for various types of incandescent lamps from the 1960s were upgraded using the latest lighting technology suitable for museum use in such a way that the original light distribution could be retained. As in the 1960s, numerous samples, mock-ups, and some laboratory tests were requried for this undertaking.

Neue Nationalgalerie. Credit Simon Menges
Arup's Alexander Rotsch discusses our lighting design, honoring Mies van der Rohe's 1968 concept.

Mies‘ original lighting concept has been reconstructed in its simplicity and clarity and at the same time technically optimised. The illumination of the walls here in the basement has been particularly successful; the light is now more homogeneous, appears fresher—and gives the art on the walls a new shine.

Dr. Joachim Jäger

Head of the Neue Nationalgalerie

Significant energy savings

Despite the increased lighting levels, the new lighting technology enables drastic energy savings of around 80% compared to the existing lighting system. In addition, a new lighting control system allows for flexible, individual control of each luminaire, also enabling fixed lighting scenarios to be called up. Accent lighting using tracks and spotlights in a uniform design is to be understood as an additive element to Mies van der Rohe’s original lighting concept and only appears in relation to specific exhibition designs. 

Neue Nationalgalerie. Credit Simon Menges
The homogeneous illumination of the freely arranged walls in the basement emphasises Mies van der Rohe's design principle of a flowing space. © Simon Menges