German Mining Museum, Bochum Germany

All projectsGerman Mining Museum, Bochum

Glück auf!

Germany

Under the motto "Glück auf!”—a traditional miners’ greeting literally meaning "Luck up!” symbolizing the hope for a successful find and a safe return—the German Mining Museum in Bochum is set to unveil a brand-new illumination system, bringing new life to one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

As part of its restoration, the museum’s double trestle headframe is receiving a cutting-edge, dynamic lighting installation. The once cold, static illumination is being replaced with a vibrant system capable of transforming the museum and its surroundings with warm white and coloured lights, all while improving energy efficiency. Adding an element of movement, the pulleys of the winding tower will appear animated, symbolizing the continuous legacy of mining. The lighting will even respond to emotions and moods, creating an immersive experience for visitors.

Year

2025

Location

Bochum, Germany

Lighting design

Westermann Kommunikation & LightLife

Product supply

LightLife

For 333 days, the headframe stood covered during its refurbishment. Now, on February 22, 2025, the German Mining Museum Bochum—Leibniz Research Museum for Georesources—invites the public to celebrate its grand reopening. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy a diverse program showcasing the museum’s exhibitions and attractions, highlighting the rich and multifaceted history of mining, from its origins to its future significance for society.

The inauguration evening will mark a momentous occasion as the new permanent light installation is switched on at sunset, followed by a repeating light show until late at night. Designed by Westermann Kommunikation in collaboration with our preferred partner in Germany, LightLife Gesellschaft für audiovisuelle Erlebnisse mbH, this installation breathes new energy into the headframe. As night falls, the industrial monument will continue to shine, reaffirming its role as a beacon of history and cultural heritage.

The front lighting of the structure was achieved using two Capital 300 units in RGB+W 4000K with spot optics for the central section and two with medium optics for the sides. The atrium was illuminated by four Mars units with medium optics in the same color configuration, while four Capital 100 units with wide optics light up the glass roof at the front. The elevator space on the platform is framed by two Micro Parade 36 RGBW units, while the platform itself is brought to life with four Capital 100 units with medium optics, creating a stunning display of colour. Additionally, 19 Mars units in RGB+W 3000K were dedicated to lighting the museum’s parking area.

Illuminated by a discreet, unobtrusive glow during the week and a dynamic series of light scenes on weekends and special occasions, the tower is set to become a striking symbol and communication landmark for the city. Anticipation for the inauguration is running high among the people of Bochum, the museum director, miners and former miners of the region, and the entire project and installation team, as the iconic symbol of mining in the Ruhrgebiet is brought to new life.

Credits:
Lighting design: Westermann Kommunikation & LightLife
Installation & programming: LightLife
Pictures: LightLife
Drone pictures: copyright Dt. Bergbau-Museum/Hauke Dressler

Products installed:
2x CAPITAL 300 RGB+W 4000K MEDIUM OPTICS
2x CAPITAL 300 RGB+W 4000K SPOT OPTICS
8x CAPITAL 100 RGB+W 4000K WIDE OPTICS
4x MARS RGB+W 4000K NARROW OPTICS 1
19x MARS RGBW RGB+W 3000K MEDIUM OPTICS DALI
2x MICROPARADE 36 RGB+W 4000K WALL WASH OPTICS
1x START LINE BOX
1x DMX TERMINATOR