Mastering "BVB Yellow"
The Borusseum in Dortmund embraces the digital age
Founded in 1909, BVB boasts a rich football heritage that devoted fans have been exploring at the Borusseum since 2008. Born from a fan initiative, this museum occupies the northeast corner of the BVB stadium and proudly maintains its independence—free from sponsorship and advertising to this day. Recently, the Vienna-based exhibition studio Machen, working alongside SHA Scheffler Helbich Architekten from Dortmund, undertook a comprehensive renovation, unveiling the reimagined space in April 2022. The revitalized fan museum now features a fresh narrative structure and interactive approach, combining digital experiences and edutainment installations that transform learning into an engaging, emotionally resonant journey.
Hamburg-based Felsch Lighting Design brought the new museum concept to life, and its founder Markus Felsch reveals why BVB yellow presents such a unique lighting challenge. "BVB's corporate identity demands 'BVB yellow' against black—a striking contrast reflected throughout the exhibition design and lighting scheme. The real challenge: ensuring this iconic yellow maintains its vibrancy consistently, regardless of ambient light levels, while adhering strictly to brand guidelines." Felsch and his team tackled this precision challenge through custom-engineered light lines powered by proprietary LED technology—a solution that delivers exactly what the iconic brand demands.
The exhibition designers strategically isolated each thematic zone, channeling visitor focus and eliminating visual distractions. A sophisticated blend of visual, acoustic, and interactive touchpoints invites visitors to actively engage with the narrative. Lighting orchestrates this experience. The design team harnesses natural brightness contrasts—created through the dynamic interplay of light and shadow—alongside carefully modulated white-light tones. Directional light sharpens focus; diffuse light creates atmosphere. All indirect sources feature expansive light distribution, casting soft illumination, while precision accent lights with narrow beam angles create dramatic contrast. Enter the Twist spotlights—Felsch's own innovation—delivering the bold definition this exhibition demands.
Photography Credits:
Markus Felsch, Felsch Lighting Design
(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 04|22)