Located in the harbor of Lauwersoog, right on the Wadden Sea, the Wadden Sea World Heritage Center (WEC) has opened its doors. The WEC is the new home of the Seal Center Pieterburen, which had been searching for a future-proof base.
Founded in 1971 by Lenie ’t Hart, the Seal Center Pieterburen started as a simple rescue facility and has since grown into the largest seal hospital in Europe. In addition to caring for animals in need, the WEC now offers much more. This Danish piece of design by architectural firm Dorte Mandrup has become a place where nature, science, education, and experience come together:
- SEAL – the seal hospital, where accumulated knowledge and expertise continue to grow.
- SEA – an interactive experience about the Wadden Sea, with opportunities to enjoy the view or go on excursions in the area.
- SCIENCE – the chance to explore and conduct research together with ecologists, biologists, veterinarians, scientists, and students.
Experience is the central theme in this project, both in the interactive experience designed by NorthernLight and in the specialisms of Ata Tech and lighting design & consultancy firm 50LUX. Through RYSE, they were selected as the design partners. Jeffrey Steenbergen of 50LUX explains:
“We add light to a space to enhance the visitor experience and, where possible, emphasize the design of the interior architect. We approach this in a pragmatic and artisanal way. It’s about bridging the gap between design on paper and practical execution, combining both creative and technical expertise.”
They worked closely together to technically integrate the lighting design within the overall audiovisual concept, ensuring that lighting and sound are perfectly synchronized, and the installations are user-friendly and future-proof.
For the lighting, Ata Tech included the CLS Jade ColourFlow with RGBW LED module in the tender: “Reliability, quality, and flexibility were key. Our longstanding partnership with CLS proves that they deliver technically advanced, stylish fixtures with optimal adjustability, dimming, and colour temperature control. This allows us to tailor the lighting atmosphere precisely to the light-sensitive environment of the WEC without compromising on sustainability or ease of use.”
50LUX adds: “In the tender, the Jade was already considered (before we were commissioned). Given our knowledge of the product and its versatility, we had no reason to deviate from it. In fact, we were pleased to apply the Jade, thanks to the variety in the series and the many available accessories. We therefore expanded the ColourFlow, chosen for atmospheric lighting, with a combination of the Jade Expo for task lighting and the Jade Zoom Tunable White for illuminating tables, texts, and objects. This gave us freedom in the lighting design, while making it appear uniform to visitors when looking at the ceiling.”
The Tunable White variant was essential here, due to the extensive use of glass in the building. The WEC is situated in a light-sensitive “darkness area,” where strict regulations govern light pollution. With the Tunable White LED light source, the lighting now matches the natural daylight outside, helping prevent light nuisance. The intensity of the fixtures now adapts to the natural day-night rhythm, without disturbing the surroundings, flora, or fauna.
Thanks to the integration of Casambi, the selected control protocol, and Pharos, the WEC enjoys maximum control and avoids unwanted light spill. Ata Tech explains that the choice of the CLS Jade Series with Casambi, centrally controlled via the Pharos system – realized by 50LUX – was a deliberate one: “Casambi enables wireless control of individual fixtures, ideal for a complex building with many spaces and lighting scenarios. Pharos ensures central, stable, and flexible programming of lighting scenes, seamlessly integrated with audiovisual elements and aligned with the WEC’s sustainable vision. The CLS Jade Series offers precise dimming, targeted lighting, and perfect integration with Casambi and Pharos. This gives us maximum control and prevents unwanted light spread. Technical precision and aesthetics made CLS the right partner for this project.”
Like any project, the WEC came with its challenges. All fixtures were ultimately mounted in a track system, giving the lighting designers much flexibility – although they might have done it differently. Jeffrey says, “The moment we joined the project was a challenge in itself. Much had already been decided. While some choices aligned with what we would’ve proposed, we would have approached the track positioning differently. The development of the interior design continued during construction, meaning we had to decide on the lighting and its placement before the final furniture layout was even known. Additionally, daylight played a bigger role than anticipated, despite our repeated warnings. I’ve always said daylight is underestimated – and especially here, where sunlight reflects off the water surface and brings in extra light, this proved to be the case again. A serious challenge, but at times also a gift. Ultimately, we had to work in the evenings and at night to fine-tune the lighting.”
But the result is something to be proud of, says Ata Tech: “The centre is very satisfied. The combination of technical precision and subtle ambiance perfectly matches the vision of the Wadden Sea World Heritage Centre. The lighting enhances the story and atmosphere without detracting from the natural character of the surroundings. We remain in close contact with the centre to ensure the installation continues to function optimally and can be adjusted when needed. Thanks to the collaboration with CLS and the team, a future-proof lighting and audiovisual concept has been realized that subtly enhances the ambiance without disturbing the natural environment. This project shows how innovation and respect for nature can go hand in hand. It’s a beautiful result we can truly be proud of.”
50LUX is also pleased with the outcome. Not only do they find the location exceptional, but also the vision reflected in the people working there, which makes it stand out from other projects. Here, it’s not just about what’s on display inside, but above all, about what lives outside. You see the seals, the nature, the seal rescue team, and the sea. That’s what makes this project special to them. Jeffrey says: “Every day is different, and it’s truly enjoyable to focus solely on ambiance with few other restrictions. The light changes with the daylight, but they can also adjust settings depending on the weather, creating a whole palette of atmospheres. During events, they can choose a chic orange or go for the more green Northern Lights effect that’s always present.”
The Wadden Sea World Heritage Centre is a location that, thanks to this sustainable and versatile lighting solution, will continue to inspire and engage visitors for years to come, both indoors and outdoors.
We at CLS thank Ata Tech and 50LUX for their trust and collaboration!
