Inspirations

Metronom Theater Oberhausen

Fast Track Lighting Refurbishment

30.09.2025

Oberhausen, Germany

Location

7.500m²

Area

In March 2024, Semmel Concerts took over the former Stage Metronom Theater Oberhausen from Stage Entertainment, to re-establish it as a permanent fixture in the German musical landscape. After standing empty for four years, the 1999-built venue was renovated at record speed and equipped with the latest technology. A key element of the upgrade was a lighting concept that is both highly functional and prestigious. At the heart are custom-made Circle light rings, 1.3 km of cove lighting and Sonnos Downlights for walkways, common areas and sanitary facilities. The challenge: everything had to be delivered in less than three months, from the initial planning to the final approval by the TÜV.

Music for the eyes

Circle light rings in brushed aluminium

Deep blue carpet throughout, multi-storey columns with overhanging capitals, and a landscape of light as if from another world - this is how the new Metronome Theatre in Oberhausen will look when it reopens in November 2024. And our luminaires play a central role in creating the special atmosphere in the 7,500 m2 venue with around 1,700 seats. The floating light rings from our Circle range catch the eye at first glance. Specially customised for the project, they feature high-quality aluminium housings in a brushed bronze finish and are used in the bar areas and VIP lounge.

"The colour tone and surface structure of the housing impressed us so much during the sampling that it became the benchmark for all other bronze tones in the project,” explains Sandra Bücker from TRILUX Architectural, who managed the project. managed the project.

Cove lighting and downlights

Milky Way and starry sky

The multi-tiered ceilings with illuminated coves are another strong design element. Their soft glow defines the bars and catering zones, structures the two-storey foyer and runs through the building as continuous illuminated bands. In total, 1.3 kilometres of LED strips provide high-quality light. More than 700 Sonnos downlights provide the general lighting throughout the building. Alongside the classic round version, square Sonnos were installed in areas with metal mesh ceilings. The downlights are complemented by Lenty spotlights. In order to eliminate even minimal differences in light colour between neighbouring luminaires, Lenty was equipped with the same LED chips as the Sonnos downlights as a custom-made product specifically for this project. Networking and smartness were also mandatory. To achieve this, the lighting was integrated into the existing DMX control system. For easier installation, TRILUX’s customised lighting production team developed special connection boxes that enabled DMX ballasts to be connected via plug and play.

Challenges

High speed and a high degree of customisation

"We were only able to meet the demanding schedule, which required many customised products, thanks to the close and committed collaboration of everyone involved," recalls Sandra Bücker For example, Circle luminaires were certified by TRILUX’s in-house independent test laboratory in record time, a process that usually takes weeks with an external institute. Even last-minute obstacles were swiftly overcome shortly before the TÜV inspection, it was discovered that the suspended ceilings in the sanitary areas offered far less space than planned. To avoid delays, the special luminaire production team developed an intermediate piece almost overnight, enabling the Sonnos to be installed semi-recessed.

Deadline met, customer delighted, venue opened - what more could you want?

Editors

Isabel Sabisch

PR & Media
TRILUX

Metronom Theater Oberhausen