InterCity Hotel 2.0 – lighting design 2.0

A lighting concept in tune with the design philosophy of Matteo Thun

• “Being at home is no longer tied to a place. It's a feeling.”
  - Matteo Thun, architect

This sense of familiarity, which becomes even more significant when you’re far from home, was captured by Matteo Thun in his room design concept for the InterCity Hotels. The lighting solutions from LTS play a key role in enhancing the atmosphere he designed.

Architecture, lighting, and a sense of comfort

For architects, every project is more than just creating spaces—it’s about inspiring emotions. The new generation of InterCity Hotels, shaped by the visionary work of renowned architect Matteo Thun, embodies this philosophy in a remarkable way. Here, design and functionality blend into a harmonious whole, providing guests with more than just a temporary stay. It's about the feeling of finding a home in an unfamiliar city – a retreat that radiates warmth and familiarity.

The lighting concept developed by Thun is one of the key elements of the architectural experience. It artfully illuminates the spaces, gently highlighting natural materials like warm wood, and creates an atmosphere that fosters both calm and inspiration.

Nicole Kober, Managing Partner of KOBER LICHTPLANER GmbH, describes the key role of lighting design in the project and how thoughtfully designed lighting solutions contribute to creating a unique atmosphere of comfort and well-being:

• “Our lighting designers and engineers at KOBER LICHTPLANER have a clear mission: For us, light is the building material for the fourth dimension of architecture. We create atmosphere through light, so that people feel comfortable. This mission is particularly important in our hotel projects, where we help create spaces that allow travellers to feel at home, even when they are far from home. In doing so, as a light-designing office, we collaborate closely with interior designers and luminaire manufacturers to find the right lighting solutions for achieving the desired ambience, or even develop customised solutions specifically for the project. This was exactly the case for the InterCity Hotel Group, for which we, in collaboration with Matteo Thun’s interior designers and the LTS engineers, developed customised cove lighting that was later installed in more than 30 hotels."
  - Nicole Kober, Managing Partner of KOBER LICHTPLANER GmbH

• "It was also important that the source of the light itself is hidden from the guests' view, ensuring that no glare is created. At the same time, the luminaire was intended to serve as a panel for the curtain rail and as a light trap to exclude light from the outside, ensuring a completely dark room. In addition to the high energy efficiency of the luminaire, the requirement specifications also included easy and reliable installation. This was achieved, among other things, by the luminaire’s ability to compensate for construction tolerances of up to 6cm between the ceiling and wall, using 3D-adjustable crossbeams.”
  - Nicole Kober, Managing Partner of KOBER LICHTPLANER GmbH

The lighting is not only functional – it discreetly blends into the architecture and enhances the emotional impact of the room. A play of light and shadow that highlights the natural elegance of the rooms and welcomes the guest, no matter which city they are in.

Expertise in lighting design and architecture

The lighting concept for the InterCity Hotels was developed by KOBER LICHTPLANER GmbH from Dortmund, an experienced engineering office specialising in lighting design, known for creating innovative and sustainable solutions. KOBER combines daylight and artificial lighting into a harmonious overall concept that perfectly balances function and aesthetics, using a methodical approach based on the "grammar of light". A customised solution was created in close collaboration with LTS. It combines maximum efficiency with timeless design, perfectly supporting the vision of architect Matteo Thun.

The close coordination between KOBER LICHTPLANER and LTS resulted in an innovative solution that set new standards across Europe. Nicole Kober summarises the joint success:

• “By working closely with the LTS engineers, we were able to implement the requirement specifications step by step and then roll out the solution across Europe.”
  - Nicole Kober, Managing Partner of KOBER LICHTPLANER GmbH

Lighting in transition – from functionality to aesthetics

LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH, renowned for high-quality lighting systems Made in Germany, played a key role as the luminaire supplier bringing the hotel room lighting concept to life. Combined with Matteo Thun's design vision, a lighting solution was created for the hotel rooms that harmoniously integrates aesthetics and functionality with the overall architectural concept. The LTS luminaires blend perfectly with the timeless elegance and welcoming atmosphere of the InterCityHotel rooms.

This balance of thoughtful design and sophisticated technology challenges architects and planners – while also inspiring them. This demonstrates how light and space together can create a sustainable, timeless atmosphere of comfort and well-being.

Long-term partnership for a unique atmosphere of comfort and well-being

Since 2014, LTS and InterCityHotels have maintained a close partnership, successfully reflected in nearly 30 joint hotel projects. This long-standing collaboration is characterised by mutual trust and a shared vision to create innovative, sustainable lighting solutions that perfectly complement the overall architectural concept. Together, hotel rooms were created following Matteo Thun's design philosophy, which are not only functional but also create an atmosphere where guests can feel at home.

Customer-specific solutions with IndiLine by LTS

• “The Customer Solutions department of LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH is proud to have developed this exclusive lighting line for InterCity Hotels in collaboration with Matteo Thun,”
  

explains Meik Sari, InterCity Hotel Project Manager at LTS.

• “IndiLine was customised to meet the specific needs of the hotels, providing precise room lighting in nearly 30 hotels with optimal light performance. With its asymmetrical light distribution, the luminaire provides for soft, uniform lighting that creates a pleasant sense of depth in the room. The design also allows for adjacent mounting, making it ideal for longer lengths.”
  - Meik Sari, LTS Key Account Manager

Light as a key element in the room design concept

Matteo Thun, one of Italy’s leading architects, follows a reduced approach, focusing on conscious material selection and durability. In the InterCityHotels, the focus is not only on ensuring the functionality of the rooms but, above all on allowing guests to feel comfortable and secure, which is enhanced by a carefully coordinated lighting design.

The perfect response from LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH to the architectural requirements is the sleek IndiLine.

IndiLine is made-to-measure and discreetly installed on the window side in all hotel rooms. Since the IndiLine tracks are mounted behind the curtain panels on the room ceiling, the state-of-the-art lighting technology remains in the background. The delicate design of IndiLine and its flexible applications allow for precise adjustment and at the same time, it is not intrusive. Due to its versatility, IndiLine facilitates the design of niche lighting and smooth, indirect highlights. The light is softly reflected and carried into the InterCity rooms through the colours of the curtains. It fills the entire space with a gentle, comforting light ambience.

This is why lighting plays an essential role in creating the desired atmosphere. The warm colours and natural materials used by Matteo Thun are subtly highlighted by the customised lighting solutions from LTS. The discreet luminaires from LTS integrate seamlessly into the design concept developed by Thun. The hotel room becomes a retreat and is more than just a space – it is a spatial experience.
Light is key to transforming the room into an oasis of comfort. Therefore, the lighting concept is crucial to the spatial atmosphere. It does not dominate the architecture of the room, but rather orchestrates it.

Indirect lighting, cleverly integrated into the structure of the room – here, for example, behind curtain panels – creates a soft, warm atmosphere that welcomes the guest. Neutral shades like beige, grey and reddish earthy tones come to life through the gentle play of light, giving the room a pleasant depth.

LTS IndiLine – Tailored lighting for the InterCity Hotel 2.0

Unique in design and highly efficient, IndiLine is a specially developed cove lighting that perfectly supports Matteo Thun's vision. Developed in close collaboration with the renowned architect, IndiLine is used as indirect lighting in all rooms of the InterCity Hotel. The cove lighting solution is made of aluminium, features a removable shielding plate with white reflective foil and is equipped with die-cast zinc end caps. The extendable edge ensures a flush finish with the wall, allowing the lighting to be seamlessly integrated into the room's structure. The pre-fabricated fixed lengths and the easy installation make IndiLineparticularly user-friendly and the maintenance effort remains low.

• The custom luminaires from LTS are designed to seamlessly integrate with the guiding architectural idea, while also fulfilling the high standards of functionality and design.

The hotel rooms at InterCity Hotels combine simple elegance with functional room design. A distinctive visual touch is added by the oversized city map on the back wall of the bed, which highlights the respective city and the hotel's location. This design element gives each room a sense of local identity, while the soft colour tones create a calming and warm atmosphere. The soft materials enhance the cosy feel and, together with the gentle, indirect lighting, contribute to a harmonious ambience in the room.

Sustainable materials and durable technologies

Matteo Thun's design philosophy emphasises the use of natural and durable materials to create spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and ecologically sustainable. LTS perfectly aligns with this philosophy by focusing on energy-efficient and long-lasting lighting technologies. The LED systems used by LTS, such as the IndiLine system, are designed not only to reduce energy consumption but also to offer a long service life. This minimises the need to replace the luminaires and supports resource conservation. The use of this durable lighting technology perfectly complements Thun's sustainable room design concept, as both partners focus on long-term, future-oriented solutions.

Sustainability as a core concept

Both Matteo Thun and LTS Licht & Leuchten GmbH share the common goal of designing not only for the present but also developing sustainable, future-proof solutions. While Thun focuses on the durability of the materials used and a well-thought-out room concept, LTS supplies the appropriate lighting systems, contributing to the reduction of the ecological footprint through energy-efficient LED technologies and eco-friendly materials. This collaboration makes it possible to realise projects that meet the needs of today's users while also making a positive contribution to future generations.

InterCityHotels set standards in terms of comfort and design. The customised lighting solutions from LTS, seamlessly integrated into the architectural design, demonstrate that light is more than just a functional element – it creates a sense of comfort, makes guests feel at home and enhances the way they perceive a room. LTS is proud to have contributed to the unique atmosphere of these trendsetting hotels through its products.

Through the customised lighting solutions from LTS and the thoughtful light planning by KOBER LICHTPLANER GmbH, guests at InterCity Hotels experience not only comfort but also an atmosphere that conveys a feeling of being at home – regardless of the city they are in.