Room for potential Room acoustics and lighting solutions from Nimbus and Rosso create a pleasant atmosphere at the new "Institute for Machine-Brain Interfacing Technology" (IMBIT). IMBIT stands for "Institute for Machine-Brain Interfacing Technology". Scientists from the fields of neurology, computer science, robotics and medicine work here with the aim of enabling interaction between the human brain and technical instruments. This is done by using robotic assistance systems, for example, that can be activated and operated by means of neural implants. This enables people with physical restrictions to regain some of their mobility and quality of life. Such a complex research landscape demands an architecture that creates room for potential. In line with this concept, the aesthetically restrained room acoustics and lighting solutions from Nimbus and Rosso create a quiet, bright atmosphere. On the campus of the University of Freiburg's Technical Faculty in the north of the city, the IMBIT is the first building to be constructed in an expansion project that will see several institute buildings added to the faculty. The heinlewischer firm of architects from Stuttgart has designed a compact, clearly structured cube that meets the various requirements of the interdisciplinary research landscape spread across the three floors of the building. Constructed in a simple ring-shape, the building keeps distances short and surrounds a grassy courtyard. Heterogeneity on a large and small scale The easy wayfinding concept focuses on open areas and interconnectivity between the individual departments to facilitate communication between researchers: versatile spatial concepts allow the unrestricted arrangement of laboratory, office, special purpose and communication zones across over 3,000 square metres. These zones can be readjusted or re-equipped to suit changing needs. Selected materials such as silver grey stained oak, glass and exposed concrete set the tone of the interior. The interplay between rough and smooth surfaces references the heterogeneous space allocation plan.This is also displayed in the design of the facade. As the architects explain: "The alternating bands that open up or close across the various floors of the building reflect the function of the rooms." The structure of the light grey metal facade gives it a 3D feeling, which is reinforced by the alternating closed and transparent surfaces. Aesthetic and practical – Nimbus luminaires blend in seamlessly The two-storey, glazed main entrance is marked by a recess in the facade and forms the transition area to the large, open foyer. White, round, suspended elements in varying diameters structure the purist ceiling made of exposed concrete. Explaining the reason for their choice of products, the architects stated: "Combining different sizes from the Nimbus Modul R Project range with Rossoacoustic PADs enabled us to create a space with a quiet and appealing character while also meeting requirements in terms of building physics." They also wanted "large luminaires that feature a high-quality design and ensure good illumination of the surfaces".Nimbus luminaires also provide uniform lighting above the sculptural stairway, which ascends from the foyer to link the three floors of the building with one another. Combined with Rossoacoustic PADs, they reduce irritating noises and reverberation to achieve noticeably improved acoustics in the high rooms. The round, slim Nimbus luminaires and their sound-absorbing counterparts from Rosso hover almost weightlessly in the air and harmonise with the building's pared-back materiality and aesthetics. The soft fleece covering of the Rossoacoustic PADs adds a further component to the range of materials used to achieve variety in surface qualities – thus underlining the aspect of heterogeneity, the feature linking the architectural concept and the building's diverse community of users. Facts Client: Landesbetrieb Vermögen und Bau Baden-Württemberg, Universitätsbauamt Freiburg Architecture: heinlewischer, Stuttgart Lighting design: Schindler Consult Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, Stuttgart Specialist partner: Electrical contractor: WISAG Elektrotechnik Süd-West GmbH&Co.KG, Gundelfingen Project realised: 2021 Photos: Brigida González, Stuttgart Stuttgart, May 2023 Reprint free of charge / File copy requested  1 The heinlewischer firm of architects contrasted the IMBIT's complex research landscape with easy wayfinding and a clearly structured building concept: covering over 3,000 square metres, versatile spatial concepts allow unrestricted arrangement of the various types of usage, which are also reflected in the heterogeneous design of the facade. Photo: Brigida González, Stuttgart 2 Giving reasons for the choice, the designers said the white Rossoacoustic PADs and Nimbus luminaires met their requirements in terms of "a high-quality design and good illumination of the surfaces". They also blend in unobtrusively with the building's pared-back material and colour concept Photo: Brigida González, Stuttgart 3 Rough exposed concrete, smooth oak and glass surfaces, soft fleece on the Rossoacoustic PADs and the acrylic glass Softlight Diffuser disc on the Nimbus Modul R Project luminaire: the concept of heterogeneity is a recurring theme throughout the cube – from the facade design and space allocation plan through to the smaller details. Photo: Brigida González, Stuttgart 4 Nimbus luminaires hover seemingly weightlessly in the air on their elegant suspension elements. The Nimbus Modul R Project luminaires in two different sizes provide glare-free, brilliant light. Photo: Brigida González, Stuttgart About Häfele and Nimbus Nimbus has belonged to the Häfele Group since 2019. Located in Nagold, the internationally operating specialist for furniture fittings and lighting is indispensable for furniture production and the carpentry trade, while the Stuttgart-based Nimbus Group is held in high regard in the architecture sector. Two target groups, two different worlds. And yet they have come together and boast a broad joint portfolio of lighting systems for rooms and furniture as well as integrated lighting and acoustics solutions. Product development in the fields of light and acoustics is centred in Stuttgart. www.nimbus-group.com www.haefele.de QR-Code der Medieninformation