Introduction

STADE DE SUISSE Wankdorf

Bern is getting ready for EURO 2008 with its new stadium complex in Wankdorf. The architecture is functional, with the atmosphere being provided by dynamic light.

Architect:
Rodolphe Luscher, Luscher Architectes Lausanne; Interieur Design: Conny Ramseyer, Ramseyer&Steiger AG, Bern

Lighting designer:
Vedder Lichtmanagement, Reinhard Vedder, München; Neuco AG, Zürich

Photographer:
Thomas Mayer, Neuss

Place:
Bern

Lighting solutions

ERCO STADE DE SUISSE Wankdorf Introduction Content

The 2008 European Football Championship will be hosted by Switzerland and Austria. The host cities are already preparing for the event, presenting a mixture of renovated and newly built sports venues. In the federal capital of Berne, the "Stade de Suisse" was ceremonially opened at the end of July and with a capacity of 32,000 this is largest stadium in Switzerland. Located in the suburb of Wankdorf, its predecessor was the site of the 1954 "Wonder of Berne", where the German team beat Hungary to win the World Cup. The new building is also the home of the "BSC Young Boys" whose club colours of yellow and black rule the terraces on match days.

ERCO STADE DE SUISSE Wankdorf Lighting solutions

The various lounges, restaurants and VIP enclosures play an ever-increasing role in stadium design. The actual football match just becomes a backdrop for gastronomic delights and social get-togethers and the bars and restaurants become a centre of attraction even in the off-season. Panoramic windows and omnipresent giant screen TVs keep the punters in touch with what's happening on the pitch. The interior design is modern and functional yet elegant throughout, with scenographic light providing the right atmosphere and mood to this setting. The ERCO lighting control system combines coloured accents from ERCO Varychrome luminaires into dynamic light scenes. Thus, for instance, Focalflood floodlights above the bar shelves and the coloured LED rings on the Skim downlights change their colours in synchronism.

The functional building incorporates a shopping arcade and additional facilities, making it a lively new centre even apart from the sports activities. However, its boldly cantilevered roof clearly identifies the building as a stadium even from afar. This effect as a distant beacon is emphasised by the illumination of the roof corners using powerful Focalflood floodlights lighting that at night also gives the roof the impression of floating in the air.

The access level between the terraces and the VIP area is characterised by wall elements in team-livery yellow. Signposts and inscriptions follow the sober tradition of Helvetic typography. Instead of low-contrast ambient lighting, the lighting designers use Cylinder surface-mounted directional luminaires to emphasise vertical and horizontal architectural elements, thereby vibrantly structuring the space.

Factsheet

Address and further information:

STADE DE SUISSE Wankdorf
Nationalstadion AG
Papiermühlestrasse 71
Postfach 646
CH-3022 Bern

info(at)stadedesuisse.ch
Tel.: +41 (31) 344 88 88
Fax: +41 (31) 344 88 89

www.stadedesuisse.ch

Parties involved:

Arbeitsgemeinschaft Luscher Architectes + Architekten Schwaar & Partner
Luscher Architectes, Lausanne
www.luscher.ch/

Interior design:
Conny Ramseyer
Ramseyer & Steiger AG, Bern

Main contractor:
Marazzi AG, Bern
www.marazzi.biz

Lighting design: Neuco AG, Zürich
www.neuco.ch

Statics: Ove Arup & Partners, London; Beyeler Ingenieure, Muri

Facts and figures:

32,000 capacity (largest stadium in Switzerland)
Total construction cost: CHF 370 million
Additional uses: Co-op shopping centre, restaurants, Medico-Center, offices, vocational colleges
Construction period: July 2001 - Summer 2005

Lighting tools used

Focalflood
Introduction
Product overview

Guide

The Guide section provides thorough information on everything from the physical bases of lighting to suggested solutions for different lighting situations. The interactive knowledge modules vividly illustrate lighting solutions that are possible with this product range.