Sustainable lighting design for a place between history and future.
With the redevelopment of its town center, the municipality of Scheyern faced an ambitious task: preserving the historical core while creating new spatial qualities and significantly elevating the public realm for residents and visitors alike. The distinct character and charm of the place were to remain unmistakably intact.
What was once a sealed parking area has evolved into a vibrant civic hub. With its redesigned town center, the municipality of Scheyern has created a flagship project in sustainable urban design. Historic structures, contemporary architecture, and modern uses now form a cohesive ensemble that strengthens local identity and fosters community.
At the heart of the project is the carefully restored Waldbauernschule from 1568, now serving as a community center with café, adult education facilities, and a civic hall. Complemented by new buildings such as the town hall and library, an open square has emerged — a place for markets, encounters, and cultural activities.
“The New Scheyern Town Center is a space defined by its understated natural character — deeply rooted in tradition yet open to the future. It brings history and modernity together in a harmonious way, creating a vibrant meeting place for the people of Scheyern.”
Architects Michael Deppisch and Sebastian Falkner, mlab.design, Deppisch Architects
In the library, ring-shaped pendant luminaires of the »berliner ring« type (Inlight, Direct and Indirect) were installed, providing both direct and indirect light. Available in diameters of 600 mm, 800 mm, 1,000 mm, and 1,200 mm, they are suspended at varying heights. These luminaires deliver uniform, glare-free general lighting, optimally supporting the library’s function as a calm workspace and social area.
“The ‘New Scheyern Town Center’ combines urban integration, contemporary architecture, and a strong identity-forming element. For us, it was important not only to create a functional space, but also a place for encounters, participation, and regional rootedness. This tension between tradition and modernity is what makes the project particularly special to us.”
Architects Michael Deppisch and Sebastian Falkner, mlab.design, Deppisch Architects
For the lighting, the municipality relied on mawa, renowned for precisely crafted luminaires and custom solutions. Together with Deppisch Architects, a lighting concept was developed that combines functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability, making the architecture visible without being intrusive.
In the corridors and staircases, specially manufactured »one piece 8« wall luminaires were installed, complemented by »wittenberg 4.0« downlights for targeted accentuation of door signage. This custom solution provides clear orientation, visually structures the circulation areas, and adds depth to the spatial experience.
In the café area, »one piece 8« luminaires create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Their clear geometry and unobtrusive design integrate seamlessly into the historic setting while providing comfortable, even general lighting.
From the outset, the collaboration was characterized by partnership, solution-oriented thinking, and a high degree of mutual understanding. Through regular coordination, we were able to efficiently and purposefully implement technical details, lighting effects, and design adaptations. The communication with the mawa team proved particularly valuable when it came to custom solutions.
Architects Michael Deppisch and Sebastian Falkner, mlab.design, Deppisch Architects
mawa’s bespoke solutions play a key role in maintaining the balance between tradition and modernity. The result is sustainable lighting that respects history, embraces the future, and casts the Scheyern town center in a new light.
“mawa offers products that combine a high degree of design clarity with cutting-edge lighting technology. We particularly appreciated their ability to customize within existing product lines — a feature that allowed us to respond specifically to architectural requirements without compromising on design or technical performance.”
Architects Michael Deppisch and Sebastian Falkner, mlab.design, Deppisch Architects
The redesign of Scheyern’s town center was awarded the ‘2025 Prize for Architectural Culture of the Munich Metropolitan Region.’ This honor recognizes the project not only as a successful contribution to architecture but also as a solution shaping the region for the future. By combining sensitive heritage conservation with innovative architecture, a space has been created that unites historical value with modern usability.
