Deutscher Lichtdesign-Preis 2022

The “Musée Atelier” of the watchmakers Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus/Switzerland combines the historic production building and a new spiral-shaped glass building designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). The new building contains the main exhibition designed by ATELIER BRÜCKNER (ATB). 300 chronometers sum-up 200 years of watchmaking art in the Vallée-de-Joux. The warped roof-structure of the single-storey new building rests on the glass façade which runs through the building as a double helix. The ceilings are made of brass panels, the floor is a light-coloured terrazzo that follows the topography. Two fully functioning watchmaker workshops are part of the local.

Lighting Concept:

The building opens towards northwest. The warped roof and the westward rotation allow sunlight into the structure. The artificial lighting is integrated unobtrusively within the unique architecture. Only the lighting of the watches and exhibits should be obvious - all integrations closely coordinated with the architecture. It leads to a very clear spatial effect where the technical finesse naturally blends into the architecture.

To avoid unpleasant mirror effects due to the curved glass, the maxim was the greatest possible glare reduction and not to illuminate the visitors. The transparency of the building is enhanced by illuminating all vertical backgrounds also during the day. This emphasizes the dimensions and enhances the spatial perception. The concentration of the spotlights in the areas of the exhibits organically enhances the architecture and creates a link between scenography and architecture. The visible lighting instruments thus enter a perfect symbiosis with the architecture.

In order to stage the watches according to their value, it is necessary to emphasize each watch individually singling them out from their surroundings. Each watch is illuminated from left and right by warm-white and cool-white light at an angle of 30°-45° from positions over the edges of the showcases. No negative shadow effects of the visitors observing the exhibits from close distances occur.