Light has long been a pivotal feature in effective interior design. Lichtbeton takes it’s application to fascinating new direction. Lichtbeton, which is processed like natural stone as panels and can be used for wall cladding, façades, floors or furniture, features integrated light-transmitting optical fibers that lead the light through the material. This results in the translucent properties and allows Lichtbeton to glow enticingly from the inside out. Coloured light can also be applied to intensify the resultant interior drama.
In Luxembourg, the possibilities of the material were fully explored when a spacious, private wine store created using Lucem light transmitting concrete was set up in an extraordinary living-dining room.
The building, a former farm, has been converted into a dwelling while preserving a large part of the original building structure, such as the wooden beams and masonry. The plan design allows views up to the roof, with a large gallery and a wine store visible through glass walls from the central room. The entire house was designed and furnished like an African lodge. In addition to hunting trophies, African furniture and artifacts, as well as an open fireplace, the wine area in particular reflects the connection to Africa.
The wine cellar, which can be seen through glass walls on two sides, offers space for several thousand bottles of red wine stored on glass shelves. The wall behind the wine rack as well, as the adjacent wall, were completely clad with Lichtbeton.
It was designed by architect Christiane Besch of Forum, Luxembourg. A total of 30 Lucem Lichtbeton panels were used in various sizes, made from standard 1,200 by 600mm panels, 20mm thick, of Lucem Line White with a satin matt brushed surface.
For perfect storage temperature and humidity for the red wine, the room is air conditioned and has automatic humidity control. The ventilation outlets were also incorporated into several Lichtbeton panels. White wine – due to its different temperature requirements – is stored is in a separate air-conditioned room held at a lower temperature
The Lucem light technology that lies behind the Lichtbeton panels consists of LED sheets with RGBW LED strips, which permit a wide colour spectrum. Each Lichtbeton panel has its own LED sheet, which can be controlled by a KNX interface. This means that different lighting scenarios can be set and timed – from static colours to changing colour sequences to moving colours.
Because of the controlled temperature of the wine cellar, it was necessary to insulate the room. A thick, pressure-resistant thermal insulation was applied to the walls. To create the fewest possible heat bridges, a special panel suspension method was used. Horizontal support rails were screwed onto a flat stripe of metal, which was placed on a concrete base and anchored in only four places; oneon the ceiling and three places in the rear wall. The Lichtbeton panels were fixed using an invisible mounting system. Each Lichtbeton plate features four undercut holes and came pre-installed as a sandwich with the LED sheet and fixing system. This sandwich was hung into the horizontal rail system and adjusted by adjusting screws on site finally.
A new post by Joe Simpson, Diary of a Tile Addict, September 2017.