In the skies above Berlin

The GSW office block                               by  sauerbruch hutton architects

Energy - Maximization of natural light
The new tower is a maximum 11m wide, with glazing from a low cill level (approximately 600mm above the floor), to slab soffit level. This provides extremely good daylight to the office floors from both sides, and much reduces the need for artificial lighting even when the shading systems are closed, because good daylight to the office floors from both sides. Generous glazing of the facades and a comparatively narrow floor plan lead to optimum daylight conditions in all workplaces, with the result that additional lighting during the day is only necessary in exceptional cases. This generous lighting creates friendly workplaces, the brightness of which can be determined by the user himself. The west facade shading is a series of vertically pivoting and sliding panes suspended within the thermal flue, containing 18% perforations. This may seem a low figure, but from within the building it sill produces a bright environment with spectacular views across Berlin.
The lighting in the office spaces consists of linear fluorescent fittings with specular 60o cut-off louvers. The light fittings are recessed into the slots in the exposed concrete soffit. The offices, which are primarily daylit, are illuminated to 300lux by the artificial lighting. The lighting control system is based on the European Instabus (EIB) system which was primarily adopted to provide flexibility and to enable room layouts to be changed without rewiring.
The row of light fittings adjacent to the windows is automatically switched off by photocells within the facade to encourage the use of daylight. The remaining lighting is manually switched in groups. Occupants can also override he automated daylight linked switching.

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