
Zella-Mehlis
- Luminaires
- Mehlis 900 LS, Mehlis 1800 LS
- Architecture
- DSP Dr. Schmidt Planungsgesellschaft mbH, Schleusingen
- Electrical Planning
- Ingenieurbüro PROwa GmbH, Erfurt
- Client
- Stadt Zella-Mehlis
- Project year
- 2018
The idyllic Mehliser Markt in Zella-Mehlis has been lined with futuristic ring lights from Bergmeister Leuchten since its redesign in 2018. Like the trees and benches, the lighting in the square has been arranged in a free rhythm, harmonizing with the new layout. The generous ring lights at Mehliser Markt enhance the quality of the space, making it a welcoming “living room of Zella-Mehlis.” For the adjacent street, smaller versions of the lights have been created.
The steel poles, crowned with aluminum light rings, are inclined upward at a 3-degree angle. This design echoes the slopes of the half-timbered beams of nearby historic houses, embodying a playful lightness. In contrast to conventional construction norms, the poles taper conically toward the bottom, an aesthetic feature made possible by custom pole and foundation statics. The surrounding light ring, measuring 1.80 meters in diameter, is connected to the inclined pole by two tensioning cables and a bracket, creating a dynamic appearance over the tranquil, traffic-calmed area. This effect is enhanced by the shadow play cast on the granite paving in sunlight. The custom-designed lights from Bergmeister Leuchten also give the square a distinct character during the day, ensuring high visibility.
The light ring consists of two components: a decorative, diffusely glowing section outlines the ring’s outer edge, making it recognizable as a design object from a distance and enhancing the floating appearance. Ten LED modules are integrated on the underside, providing compliant illumination with a wide beam angle. These two components can be controlled separately. At night, the LED modules are turned off for street lighting in Zella-Mehlis, leaving only the ring illuminated. This approach creates a subtle light that is not glaring while still providing orientation.