Sustainable Lighting Transformation – Stadthalle Chemnitz

In 2024, C³ Chemnitzer Veranstaltungszentren GmbH partnered with VisionTwo GmbH to modernize the lighting system of the main hall at Stadthalle Chemnitz.

The goal: to reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs while enhancing visual performance and flexibility for a wide range of events. This comprehensive LED upgrade aligns with C³’s overarching sustainability strategy and builds on a successful collaboration dating back to 2018.

The project replaced a traditional halogen-based setup with a future-proof, digitally controlled LED system. Two GDS product lines – Atlas and Puppis 2K – were integrated to provide precise, high-quality illumination, combined with RGBW flexibility and fade-to-warm technology, also matching the LED chip used in a prior project. The result is an innovative lighting solution that delivers both energy efficiency and aesthetic excellence, supporting diverse cultural and corporate events.

This project is a prime example of how sustainability, smart design, and technical performance can go hand in hand. By combining thoughtful product selection, minimal infrastructural impact, and creative design approaches, Stadthalle Chemnitz and VisionTwo have set a new standard for environmentally conscious venue modernisation.

Lighting Redefined: Intelligent, Flexible, and Sustainable

The lighting upgrade at Stadthalle Chemnitz was more than a technological update – it was a strategic transformation uniting sustainability, functionality, and design. The core concept: create a versatile lighting system that serves a wide variety of events (concerts, galas, conferences, exhibitions) while significantly reducing energy and maintenance costs.

The Challenge

The previous setup relied on 150-watt halogen downlights – high in energy use, low in control flexibility, and requiring frequent maintenance in a risky surrounding for the staff. With aging infrastructure and discontinued lamp models, the system was no longer viable.

The Solution: A Hybrid LED Design

VisionTwo, in cooperation with Salas Consulting Doo, proposed a hybrid approach using two product lines from British manufacturer GDS:

GDS Atlas (Harmony Series):
A high-end LED fixture delivering superior white light (CRI 97) and rich RGBW color. Each unit includes a individually controllable RGBW ring, enabling dynamic effects and custom visual storytelling – from subtle gradients to ceiling-wide projections. Atlas features fade-to-warm functionality, ideal for highlighting the venue’s architectural ceiling elements.

GDS Puppis 2K:
A cost-effective yet powerful high-quality LED downlight with excellent white light quality, fade-to-warm functionality and seamless integration. Used in all remaining ceiling positions, it complements the Atlas units while meeting budgetary constraints.

Both fixtures offer a minimum 50,000-hour lifetime, saving hundreds of hours of difficult and often risky maintenance work.

Instead of full coverage with the premium Atlas fixture, the project team used them selectively to frame and emphasise the ceiling geometry — reducing the quantity to 122 units while preserving strong visual impact and cohesion.

Technical Backbone and Integration

All fixtures are connected via a newly installed network infrastructure enabling DMX and PoE control. The central control unit, the GDS Drive Hub Card Frame, ensures reliable operation, remote management, and simplified maintenance. The lighting system is integrated into the venue’s grandMA2 lighting console, allowing full pixel-level control.

Installation was carried out in-house by the C3 Stadthalle’s technical team, with custom mounting systems fabricated by a local metal specialist. This minimally invasive approach avoided major structural changes, keeping the project both efficient and sustainable.

Design Meets Purpose

Beyond energy savings, the new lighting enhances the venue experience. Warm, natural white light brings out the hall’s rich wood elements, while RGBW effects add emotional and visual flexibility. The system supports both day-to-day operations and spectacular show lighting – all with significantly reduced energy use and long-term ecological benefits.

The lighting modernisation of Stadthalle Chemnitz demonstrates how innovative technology, thoughtful planning, and strong local collaboration can deliver long-term environmental, operational, and economic sustainability.

At the heart of this transformation is a switch from 150-watt halogen downlights to a digitally controlled hybrid LED system, combining GDS Atlas and Puppis 2K fixtures. The upgrade not only improved lighting quality and architectural integration but also achieved a reduction in energy consumption of over 90%.

The previous lighting system had a connected load of 86.1 kW. The new LED system requires only 13.5 kW at full output and typically operates at a standard 1,100 lux setting using just 8 kW per hour – all while improving maximum illuminance from 1,400 lux to 1,900 lux. The average event energy consumption has dropped by around 420 kWh, resulting in annual savings of approximately €18,000 on electricity costs for events alone.

Equally impactful are the reductions in maintenance and resource consumption. Thanks to a rated lifespan of over 50,000 hours and robust fixture construction, the need for lamp changes – previously labor-intensive and risky – has been eliminated. This translates into annual savings of €4,592 in labor and €1,148 in materials, while improving technician safety and reducing waste. Together with the operational savings, this yields a realistic return on investment (ROI) of approximately 10 years.

Designed for the long term, the system operates well below its full capacity, resulting in an expected functional lifespan of over 30 years. The system is driven by the GDS Drive Hub Card Frame, a central component of the project’s sustainability performance. With a power factor of >98%, the Drive Hub ensures highly efficient power usage, minimising electrical losses and operational overhead. It supports DMX and PoE control, allowing for pixel-level fixture management, remote monitoring, and smart scene presets — all contributing to reduced energy waste and operational efficiency. In addition, its Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of 1.9 million hours ensures exceptional system reliability, longevity, and minimal electronic waste.

The lighting’s high CRI of 97 enhances the wood-paneled architectural interior, offering warm, natural lighting that supports the cultural identity of the space without compromising energy use. RGBW and fade-to-warm functionality eliminate the need for supplementary fixtures, providing mood and flexibility through a single, energy-efficient solution.

All fixtures are integrated via a new DMX/PoE infrastructure, replacing outdated wiring and future-proofing the venue’s lighting systems. The installation was completed in-house by the venue’s technical team, reducing the carbon footprint associated with outsourcing and transport, while building local expertise.

Installed with minimal structural intervention using custom-built mounts, and operated using 100% certified green electricity, the project is a textbook example of sustainable retrofit in cultural infrastructure.

As Chemnitz prepares to serve as European Capital of Culture 2025, the Stadthalle stands as a future-ready venue – proving that sustainability can be beautiful, economical, and enduring. For its thoughtful design, environmental impact, and long-term vision, this project is predestined for the mondo*dr Sustainability Award.

The Stadthalle Chemnitz project faced multiple technical and logistical challenges – all of which were overcome through smart planning, creative design, and close collaboration between the venue, local partners and VisionTwo.

One major challenge was budget constraints. The original concept called for full coverage using GDS Atlas fixtures, which proved too costly. Instead of compromising on quality, VisionTwo proposed a hybrid solution: using premium Atlas units to highlight architectural features, supplemented by cost-effective GDS Puppis 2K downlights. This preserved visual impact while staying within budget.

The team also had to navigate a tight installation window due to the venue’s busy event schedule. There was no time for major reconstruction. The solution: a minimally invasive installation, executed between events. Custom mounting brackets, fabricated by a local metal specialist, allowed fixtures to be integrated into the existing ceiling structure – eliminating the need for structural changes.

Another hurdle was the outdated infrastructure. The old wiring couldn’t support modern DMX and PoE control. Rather than adapt legacy lines, the team installed an entirely new network backbone, future-proofing the system and improving reliability.

Finally, installation was carried out entirely in-house by the venue’s own technicians — a rare approach for a project of this scale. With guidance from VisionTwo and the manufacturer, the team completed the work efficiently, gaining deep operational understanding and reducing external emissions and cost.

These solutions turned challenges into long-term advantages — reinforcing the project’s sustainability goals and empowering the venue’s team