RIVA Residential and Commercial Building

Structural change brings new life to Dortmund's southern district

One of Europe’s largest structural changes to a city currently underway is the revamp of Dortmund’s southern district. What was once the home of glowing steel and smoking chimneys is now an area of recreation thanks to the newly created Phoenix See lake. Countless modern buildings are settling along the manmade lake shore, housing both residential and commercial spaces.

One of the most elegant new buildings sits directly next to the harbor basin - the RIVA commercial and residential building. Completed in 2013, the building is defined by its clear-cut lines which are emphasized with glass stairway atriums, large areas of glazing, and limestone cladding.

Highly efficient BEGA wall luminaires with an asymmetric distribution were chosen to illuminate the parking area directly next to the structure, providing pedestrians with a safe pathway to their vehicles. Matching pole top versions of these luminaires light the rest of the parking lot. Both single and twin head versions of these LED luminaires are used where needed to achieve the appropriate light levels and uniformity across the site.

BEGA’s round, unshielded recessed wall luminaires guide the way to the underground parking garage. The transition from a parking garage to an exterior parking lot can be straining on a driver’s visual system if not properly lit. With these luminaires tucked into the ramp walls, their presence helps drivers to visually adapt between contrasting light levels both during the day and after dark.