HARMONIOUS COMBINATION Renowned electrical engineering office opts for lighting and acoustics solutions from the Nimbus Group and appreciates the high design quality. It may sound like an unusual approach to planning, but it really is true: the Nimbus Group lighting and acoustics solutions in the new office of IBG B. Graf AG Engineering in St. Gallen are actually based on a photograph in a brochure. Roger Violka, the director of building technology at IBG, was even inspired by the colour of the Rossoacoustic PADs as the combination with the Modul Q luminaires was exactly what he had had in mind. A leading engineering office, specialising among other things in energy and building technology, opted for LED luminaires and Rossoacoustic solutions from the Nimbus Group with its two brands Nimbus (lighting) and Rosso (acoustics). It was the visual and functi- onal compatibility of the two product ranges that really convinced those in charge. Their minds were made up once and for all following a visit to the so-called Mock-Up, the Nimbus Group's extraordinary showroom in Stuttgart, where they were received by the company's proprietor Dietrich F. Brennenstuhl. "We are always aware of our position as role models when we choose a technology or product," says Roger Violka explaining the company's philosophy. Role models because IBG counts energy efficiency, progress and ecology among its watchwords. The "use of energy- efficient […] luminaires at the workplaces" is also an important principle in its environmental management policy. FUNCTIONAL ARCHITECTURE, EFFECTIVE FITTINGS Lack of space for the almost 100 employees at the location in St. Gallen was the main factor behind the construction project. That is why the premises were planned with extra capacity for around 30 future colleagues and dimensioned so generously. One is imme- diately captivated by the unique, slightly elevated position of the outskirts of St. Gallen; the unusually high windows inevitably draw one's gaze the surrounding meadows and forests. Having taken all of this in, it is clear why Violka speaks of a place of inspiration, communication and presentation. In the assessment of Jürgen Staud of RLC Architekten AG, the building concept of the straightforward "New East Building" stands out due to the balance between proportions, materials, utility and economy. Despite the abundance of daylight, economical LED luminaires were required, especially for the communal and circulation zones. Furthermore, effective acoustics solution were needed to compensate for the hard surfaces – exposed and micro top concrete. EYE-CATCHERS, SPLASHES OF COLOUR AND A GREAT DEAL OF FLEXIBILITY The Nimbus and Rosso products used in the project "conform to the architectural functionality while also displaying a design impulse that does the building good," says the architect Jürgen Staud. The expo- sed concrete ceiling is brought to life by the square Modul Q Project suspended LED luminaires and Rossoacoustic PADs of the same shape. Suspended at varying heights, green PADs alternate with white and are interspersed by the extremely slim suspended LED luminaires – a playful contrast to the largely "cool" work zones. Other Rossoacoustic systems have also been deployed at IBG, where they support the versatility of utilisation intended by the architects: the semi-transparent CP30 system panels afford the individual workplaces more privacy while allowing spontaneous changes to a room's layout thanks to their low weight. Although just as lightweight, the TP30 Wool acoustic panels have been fixed in position and form practical cubicles for accommodating coats, photocopiers and stationery. They are in the same shade of green as the ceiling pads or in matt black. If necessary, they too can be quickly and easily moved to accommodate growing staff numbers. THE INFLUENCE OF THE ACOUSTICS EXPERT The harmony in the design of the luminaires and acoustic elements was a decisive factor for the client. However, what is even more important to Roger Violka is that the employees are really satisfied with the result of the design of their workplaces. "This was a very important issue for those in charge at IBG as the employees had been used to one- or two-person offices, and in some case, the so- lutions for room acoustics in other branch offices are not comple- tely satisfactory," explains Enrico Romano from Gerevini Ingeni- eurbüro AG. He began by determining the absorption levels that the acoustic measures were to achieve. Then the client selected the products – also taking aesthetic aspects into account – and the acoustics expert calculated the reverberation time and speech intelligibility in the offices and communal areas once more in great detail. This told him how many Rossoacoustic elements would be needed and where they should be positioned. CORRIDOR AND CAFETERIA REJUVENATED WITH NIMBUS AND ROSSO The convincing solution in the new building seems to have had a contagious effect: the client decided to completely rejuvenate one corridor in the main building from the 1970s and also had it fitted out with Modul Q luminaires and acoustic PADs. The result is a lighter, more friendly and, in terms of acoustics, much more plea- sant working atmosphere. The cafeteria is housed in the structure linking the two buildings. Eighteen PADs were also installed on the ceiling here to enhance the room's acoustics. THE BUILDING AT A GLANCE Utilisation: 5-floor office building Client: IBG B. Graf AG Engineering, St. Gallen Architect: RLC Architekten AG, Rheineck/Winterthur Building engineering: Wälli AG Ingenieure, St. Gallen Building physics/acoustics: Gerevini Ingenieurbüro AG, St. Gallen Lighting design: Linexa Anstalt, 9490 Vaduz Lighting solutions: Nimbus Modul Q ceiling luminaires and Modul Q Project suspended luminaires Acoustics solutions: Rossoacoustic PADs, Rossoacoustic TP 30 Wool, Rossoacoustic CP 30 System Construction period: March 2015 – April 2016 Net floor space SIA: 2566 m2 Building volume: 9899 m2 Stuttgart, July 2016 Reprint free of charge / File copy requested Captions: 1 Surrounded by nature, the view from the 4th floor of IBG's new building in St. Gallen even affords a view of Lake Constance. (Photo: Jean-Luc Grossmann/ photopulse) 2 The office areas have been fitted out with Modul Q Project suspended LED luminaires and Rossoacoustic PADs as well as Rossoacoustic TP30 Wool and CP30 panels. (Photo: Jean-Luc Grossmann/photopulse) 3 The exposed concrete ceiling is brought to life by the square Modul Q Project suspended LED luminaires and Rossoacoustic PADs of the same shape. (Photo: Jean-Luc Grossmann/photopulse) 4 Lightweight TP30 acoustic panels were used to create visually separate areas for coats, photocopiers and stationery. (Photo: Jean-Luc Grossmann/photopulse) 5 Seemingly suspended at random, the Nimbus LED luminaires and the Rossoacoustic PADs add diversity to the circulation zones, provide pleasant lighting and ensure ideal acoustic conditions. (Photo: Jean-Luc Grossmann/photopulse) 6 The Modul Q luminaires and Rossoacoustic PADs have also brought enormous optical and acoustic improvements to the older main building. (Photo: Jean-Luc Grossmann/photopulse) 7 The cafeteria is housed in the structure linking the two buildings. Eighteen PADs were also installed on the ceiling here to enhance the room's acoustics. (Photo: Jean-Luc Grossmann/photopulse) 8 The "New East Building" at the headquarters of IBG B. Graf AG Engineering in St. Gallen is the newest of three linked building parts. (Photo: Jean-Luc Grossmann/photopulse) 9 The lightweight TP30 Wool are black and the same shade of green as the ceiling pads. (Photo: Jean-Luc Grossmann/photopulse) 10 The new Modul Q Project suspended luminaires are available in three different sizes up to an edge length of 1200 x 1200 mm. (Photo: Frank Ockert) 11 Chamfered edges and wide corner radii lend the new Modul Q Project luminaires a visual lightness. (Photo: Frank Ockert) 12 Rossoacoustic PADs are a perfect match to their glowing counterparts, the Nimbus Modul Q and R LED luminaires. (Photo: Frank Ockert) 13 Rossoacoustic PADs are available in a finely nuanced range of colours. Besides a warm white, users have a choice of six harmonious natural colours (shown here: Soft moss). (Photo: Frank Ockert) THE NIMBUS GROUP The Nimbus Group was founded by the architect Dietrich F. Brennenstuhl in 1988. It is different from most other enterprises and being different has helped the company to explore new avenues. Nimbus was the very first company to place its faith in LED technology, thus giving itself a global lead over the competition. The company has realised around 12.000 LED projects since 2006 and can now call upon a wealth of experience: its spectrum ranges from fitting out houses, doctors' practices, schools and boardrooms through to company headquarters like the Unilever head office in Hamburg, the ADAC headquarters in Munich and the head office of the WTO in Geneva. The same innovative ability also finds expression in the Rosso and Rossoacoustic brands of highly flexible shading and room-partitioning systems; this is particularly apparent in the integrated acoustics solutions, which were developed using the latest findings from science and research. The brands in both fields – light and acoustics – have joined forces in pursuit of innovation. Together with leading research institutes, the Nimbus Group is developing acoustically effective LED lighting solutions and further new products aimed at optimising office design. At Light + Building 2016 the Nimbus Group presented a whole range of visionary luminaires that consistently embody the idea of cableless light that is available whenever and wherever it is needed. With their top-quality, appealing design, the lightweight and effortlessly rechargeable luminaires fit in perfectly with the company’s philosophy. The Nimbus Group currently employs a staff of around 160 and is a member of the renowned "German Design Council" foundation and a founding member of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). You will find further information about the Nimbus Group at: www.nimbus-group.com Stuttgart, July 2016 Reprint free of charge / File copy requested