The Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia

Overview

The Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia, located in Düsseldorf, is the state parliament for Germany’s most populous federal state. WSDG Berlin has been a key partner in modernizing the Main Assembly Hall, with this latest project marking the third major refurbishment since the firm’s initial involvement in 2001. As the lead consultant for project management and design, WSDG ensured seamless integration of new technology while maintaining the hall’s architectural integrity and operational efficiency.

To bring this vision to life, WSDG collaborated with key partners: Protones as the system integrator, Brähler Systems as the lead manufacturer of the custom conference system, and Goracon for furniture adaptation. Together, they delivered a state-of-the-art communication and voting system tailored to the evolving needs of the parliament.

The project was led by Enno Finder, Partner, Certified Acoustician SGA and Senior Consultant. He was supported by Michael Chollet, Partner and Director of Systems, who played a key role in overseeing on-site inspections and the tendering process. Project engineer Melanie Tonn was responsible for technical drawings and system coordination.

Program

The refurbishment focused on upgrading the hall’s conference system with a fully customized Brähler Systems electronic voting system seamlessly integrated into each delegate’s desk. Equipped with RFID authentication and three-button functionality, the system enhances efficiency in parliamentary proceedings. The podium and chairperson stations were upgraded with 18.5-inch tabletop touch monitors, providing real-time microphone control and session management. Speaker positions were fitted with custom 6.2-inch displays, ensuring clear visibility of speaking time even in bright ambient lighting.

To optimize audio and media control, the hall was upgraded with a Q-SYS Core 510i system, expertly installed by Protones to ensure precise sound distribution. The integration of new technology required careful adaptation of the existing furniture layout, a process managed by Goracon while preserving the existing aesthetics of the space. WSDG led the project management, working in close coordination with the Landtag’s technical team, Protones, Brähler Systems, and Goracon to oversee the installation and integration within a rigorous three-and-a-half-week timeframe.

Design

The design of the conference system prioritized acoustic optimization, functional efficiency, and seamless integration within the hall’s infrastructure. WSDG worked closely with Brähler Systems to ensure that the small footprint of the original conference units was preserved while incorporating modern technological enhancements. The compact, custom-designed voting system was seamlessly integrated into the existing furniture, minimizing disruption to the hall’s layout. This collaboration resulted in a highly tailored solution that met the parliament’s stringent security and usability requirements, including RFID authentication for voting access.

Executing this complex refurbishment required precise coordination among more than 40 professionals. Balancing advanced technology with the hall’s spatial and architectural constraints was a significant challenge. Through close collaboration with the client and technical partners, WSDG successfully developed a future-proof system that enhances parliamentary operations while maintaining the character of the space.

The project remains ongoing, with WSDG set to continue its work in the Main Assembly Hall. The next phase will focus on refurbishing the control area to improve oversight capabilities and replacing the large central presentation screen with a more advanced display system.

Drone photo credits: Landtag NRW, Schälte