Night view of Breslauer Platz in Cologne with the illuminated colonnade of the underground station, WE-EF recessed ceiling luminaires, bicycles and the distinctive tree-shaped steel canopy of the square

U-Bahn Breslauer Platz, Cologne, Germany

Subway Station Breslauer Platz, Cologne

Five of the eight stations of the new North-South city railway in Cologne are being fitted with WE-EF lighting technology. The large project is expected to be completed by March 2013. The first of these subway stations, Breslauer Platz, began operating in December 2011.

Busy platform at Breslauer Platz underground station in Cologne with an incoming tram, WE-EF recessed ceiling luminaires, escalators and passengers

Diversity is the name of the game for the stations of Cologne's North-South city railway. Each of the eight stations was planned by a different architecture firm. The largest site, Breslauer Platz station, is characterised by a classically elegant design and architecture that is focused on brightness. Transparency is the theme behind the 225-metre-long and up to 30 metres wide subway station.

Escalator at Breslauer Platz underground station in Cologne with daylight entering through the glass facade, WE-EF recessed ceiling luminaires and a view of the illuminated underground platform

More than 370 luminaires from WE-EF support this bright and friendly atmosphere, even during night time hours. From the entryways through the distribution levels and the stairways up to the platforms, DOC250 recessed downlights and DAC240 surface mounted downlights provide not only excellent visual conditions for passengers and train personnel, but also ensure rapid orientation and safety. The product characteristics – such as enclosures made of marine-grade aluminium, 5CE corrosion protection, polymer coated stainless steel fasteners, covers made of temperature-resistant safety glass, vibration and IP65 protection – ensure that these luminaires are equipped for the extreme conditions of train stations.

Stairway and escalator entrance at Breslauer Platz underground station in Cologne at night, with WE-EF recessed ceiling luminaires, a structured glass facade and passengers in motion

Exterior view of Breslauer Platz underground station in Cologne at dusk, with illuminated colonnade, WE-EF recessed ceiling luminaires and the glazed roof of Cologne Central Station in the background

However, due to the particularly demanding conditions at the Breslauer Platz subway station, WE-EF has included additional special features in these products. All luminaires come with self-locking screws and safety frames. In some cases, the distance between the enclosure and the junction box was increased to achieve even wider thermal separation. In high places that are difficult to access, for example above the staircases, DAC240 luminaires were mounted on luminaire lifts. They can be lowered for maintenance purposes, allowing lamps to be replaced without the use of tools.

Close-up of the illuminated metro sign at the entrance to Breslauer Platz underground station in Cologne, with WE-EF recessed ceiling luminaires under the concrete canopy

Top-down view of two escalators descending to the underground platform at Breslauer Platz station in Cologne, with WE-EF recessed ceiling luminaires and an incoming tram

Credits

Builder: KVB Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe Architects: Büder + Menzel Architekten BDA, Cologne Lighting design: Licht Kunst Licht AG, Bonn/Berlin

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