Beneath Berlin's 368-metre-high Television Tower lies a truly unique restaurant: MIO is a fusion of chic interiors and refined gastronomy, intertwined with fascinating technology and illumination. Technology fans will especially love the interactive touch tables, although the cleverest solutions are undoubtedly those designed by System Integrator Christoph Schroeter for individual lighting scenes, ventilation, music, entertainment electronics and security. Thanks to integration into a KNX system, practically everything is done automatically or can be operated conveniently via iPad or a Gira touch panel on the wall.
Brothers Ayhan and Hasan Aslan wanted to transform the space into an inherently unmistakeable location, and called upon architect and designer Pakalolo Philipp Jahn to help. He combined futuristic shapes with high-quality decorative elements and deliberate style contrasts. In light of the TV Tower's concrete architecture, the ceilings had to be completely suspended. As soon as they enter, visitors are awe-struck by the new ceiling made of 620,000 Swarovski crystals. This, coupled with dozens of LED lighting strips, creates a compellingly unique atmosphere. The restaurant, which spans almost 400 m2, is distributed over several levels with sofa areas and private rooms. In the evening, MIO becomes a bar, club, lounge and event location. A further entertainment area of around 450 m2 has been created in front of the restaurant.
Cutting-edge interactive technology awaits guests in the VIP lounge: large touch screens have been integrated into the tables. These can be used to order food and drink, play games, chat to neighbouring tables or surf the web. At parties, photographers upload their images immediately, allowing guests to view them online directly from their tables.
The sophisticated building technology runs in the background, practically unnoticed all the while. It controls the lighting with its different coloured moods, whilst ensuring optimal air conditioning in the rooms, high ambient air quality, flawless security and the perfect background music. "We have interconnected all of the technical components in MIO via a KNX system," explains Christoph Schroeter. The "brain" of this electronic nervous system is the Gira HomeServer, which brings together and evaluates all of the information and sends corresponding commands to the devices.
The lighting in MIO runs exclusively on LED bulbs, enabling more than 16 million colours. LED cove lighting curves over the ceiling, wall and bar. It is combined with huge crystal chandeliers that boast 126 dimming channels and are also integrated into the KNX system via an Arcus EDS DMX Gateway. This means that pre-programmed colour scenes can be selected, or every light source can be adjusted individually, at the simple touch of a button. The show-stopper for corporate celebrations: the exact corporate design colours can be portrayed. Christoph Schroeter or the Aslan brothers can remotely re-program the light scenes whenever they please. They can see the effect of the colour atmosphere live via one of 18 cameras installed on-site. A light strip at the top of one of the central pillars not only looks elegant, but also has a functional purpose. It illuminates red or blue depending on whether a hot or cold dish is ready in the kitchen - a practical message for waiting staff.
Especially in the evening, when the restaurant is transformed into a trendy club, the ambient air quality is an important matter: Gira CO2-sensors continuously measure the carbon dioxide content in the air. If this exceeds a pre-defined limit, depending on the outside temperature, either a window is opened or the air conditioning is started automatically. If the CO2 level has not significantly improved after 5 minutes, the ventilation automatically changes to the next higher level. The room temperature is also controlled via the Gira HomeServer. In the event of a fire alarm, all lights are automatically switched to white, windows and doors are opened and escape routes are thus provided.
Music in the restaurant is provided via a multi-room system from dbx ZonePro, which is connected to the KNX system. MIO is divided into six individual zones, all of which can be provided with sound independently, but from a central location. If a football championship is being held one summer, the back area is equipped with a screen and projector that can be brought down and activated at the push of a button. The sound of the football broadcast can then only be heard in the area in which the match is being shown. The guests in other zones can continue to enjoy background music. Several large flat screens above windows can also be used.
The intelligent building technology is centrally operated via a large touch display at the bar, the Gira Control 19 Client. Here, staff can activate pre-programmed scenes, for instance suitable lighting and music for breakfast, lunch and evening, in addition to selecting individual colour scenes. During the evening, the LED colour can even change in time with the club music. A range of convenient features serve to make life easier for staff, such as the "central off" function. With the touch of a button, the alarm system is armed, lighting is dimmed to a basic level and the windows are closed. Heating, ventilation, music and the opening and closing of windows can also be controlled manually on the Gira Control 19 Client. The actual and setpoint temperatures are displayed, along with details of whether the building is currently being heated or cooled. News, weather forecasts and the latest from the sporting world can also be accessed.
MIO owners, the Aslan brothers, can control further building technology functions via their iPad, such as reprogramming consumption data and individual default settings. The system is open to the future and new ideas - changes and adaptations are possible at any time with minimal effort.
