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Heritage Kassel

Kassel, Germany

Baroque splendour meets pioneering security technology
The Orangery at Karlsaue 20 – built between 1703 and 1714 for Landgrave Karl, almost destroyed during the war and reconstructed in reinforced concrete and masonry in the 1950s – forms the centrepiece of the baroque park with its 140 × 20 metre façade. Today, the five-part building (west and east pavilions, west and east wings, and central risalit) combines Hesse’s largest planetarium, the Astronomical-Physical Cabinet, a restaurant with an event hall, and several residential units across approximately 2,100 m².

The initial situation
The existing safety lighting system was out of service, and the installation of additional cable routes was prohibited for reasons of monument protection. At the same time, current fire safety regulations required a fully monitored solution to enable the reopening of the planetarium by the end of 2024.

Our solution: Wireless Professional by RP-Group

  • 275 wireless luminaires form a self-healing 868 MHz mesh network, securing all escape routes.
  • No new cable routes were required – the historic wiring network continues to supply power, with only the low-voltage distribution boards being adapted.
  • Autonomous batteries and centralised monitoring deliver real-time test reports and significantly reduce maintenance costs.
  • Scalable to up to 1,000 luminaires per control centre – ideal for the comprehensive refurbishment planned for 2025 (budget up to €20 million).

Listed building preserved, operation secured
Thanks to wireless technology, the baroque fabric of the building remained untouched – no wall chasing, no cable ducts, no interventions in stucco or natural stone.
At the same time, the Orangery now meets all operational requirements for museums, catering, and event venues, and was able to reopen to visitors on 1 November 2024 after just 18 months of construction.

The result
The Orangery is once again not only a cultural beacon for Kassel, but also a flagship project demonstrating how modern safety lighting and heritage preservation can work together in perfect harmony – made possible by Wireless Professional from RP-Group.

 

Image source: Wikipedia