Bartenbach GmbH

Bartenbach LichtLabor was founded in 1976 by Prof. Dr. h.c. Bartenbach. 60 highly qualified specialists work in the fields of developing lighting concepts for daylighting and artificial lighting, research & development, perception psychology and the construction of functional models. The collaboration of our specialists in these areas enables us to create and implement unique lighting solutions. The know-how gained from all these activities provides valuable input into the designs, regardless of the value of a contract – in other words, true added value without added cost. Since 2003 the Bartenbach Lighting Academy offers additional opportunities for an active transfer of ideas and acquiring technical knowledge.

Sustainable lighting solutions
Economic efficiency and sustainability are not just buzzwords to us, but rather the core criteria for lighting design.
We are a founding member of the DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) and work on international projects with comparable standards, such as the LEED Codes, for example. The objective is to transmit as much natural light into the building as possible and at the same time, to reduce solar heat input and the necessity for artificial lighting, thus contributing to a sustained reduction of CO2 emissions.

The effects of light on human beings
Our multidisciplinary team investigates the visual, physical and physiological effects of light on human beings, in close cooperation with external research partners. The results of this research are incorporated directly into the design process and make it possible to design lighting solutions where the emotional, visual, cognitive and biological effects are taken into consideration.

New Technology: LED
Thanks to numerous research and development projects, we are also a leader in innovative applications in areas such as the high-tech sector of LEDs. In the year 2000, the first lighting system purely based on LEDs was installed in a conference room at our own premises. Shortly thereafter, the first areal façade illumination utilising LEDs was realized at a shopping centre in Kassel, Germany. The many advantages of LEDs, such as their energy efficiency, long service life or compact size, offer totally new technical and design possibilities in lighting applications.

Lighting Design
We offer the full range of design services for both daylighting and artificial lighting, through all of the design phases. We combine our findings from perception psychology research and our expertise in innovative technologies and operate independently from manufacturers. It is our design objective to create attractive and visually comfortable ambiences and, at the same time, to focus on outstanding cost effectiveness and sustainability.

Perception Psychology
We not only regard illumination as a technical and physical challenge, we give priority to the psycho-physiological effects of light reaching the human eye. A multi-disciplinary team researches the visual, psychological and physical effects of light on human beings. This research is carried out in close cooperation with external partners.

Research and Development
For the development of innovative daylighting systems and artificial lighting systems, we have a highly specialized team consisting of physicists, mathematicians and engineers. With our own laboratory facilities (artificial lighting measuring equipment, g-value measuring equipment), we are able to professionally measure the photometric parameters of both daylighting systems and artificial lighting systems. We are active in the research of artificial lighting design and daylighting design.

Model Construction and Simulation
In order to be able to view the spatial effects prior to realization of the project, we carry out tests on functional models. Our in-house model construction team assembles mock-ups on which artificial lighting, materials, surfaces and daylight can be precisely recreated. Our artificial sky facility enables us to carry out daylight simulations on the models.

Bartenbach Lighting Academy
Since 2003 the Bartenbach Lighting Academy has offered a university course in lighting design whereby the academic degree of “Master of Light and Lighting (MLL)” can be attained. The lighting academy works together with the Leopold Franzens University of Innsbruck and instructs, in an application-oriented way, the topic of lighting design, according to the highest international standards.