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Situated directly on the shores of Lake Constance, the new building of Pfahlbaumuseum Unteruhldingen invites visitors on a journey through time, translating 6,000 years of history into contemporary architecture that references the famous stilt houses. The new structure serves not only as an entrance but also as a transition between present and past, between land and water. A precise lighting plan accompanies this journey. A notable feature is the lighting ambiance on the ground floor: luminaires intentionally project caustics, light reflections typically created by waves on the waterbed. This subtle staging directly ties into the museum’s theme – life on and with the water – making it visually perceptible even before the first exhibit is seen.
Compar linear recessed ceiling luminaires provide ambient and accent lighting, supporting the room’s linear structure. Above the distinctive beam structure, Eclipse 48V spotlights were integrated; their compactness allowed seamless installation even within the complex wooden construction.
Tesis in-ground luminaires (size 2) are placed between the showcases, specifically accentuating the prominent wooden beam structure. Their light creates uniform base brightness and subtly guides visitors’ attention to the exhibition content. The result is a restrained yet effective lighting scheme that offers orientation and subtly supports the architectural structure.
With the new visitor centre, the museum successfully redirects visitor flows, making the fascination of the stilt houses palpable from the very beginning. And light plays a central role in all of this: it guides, narrates, connects and atmospherically brings history to life.
