Our History
Bartenbach Milestones
2025
2025
New location for the light
New location for the light
Bartenbach relocates its headquarters from Aldrans to Wattens in Tyrol. The new location offers optimized workflows and modern infrastructure for lighting design, research, and development.
2024
2024
Helmut Guggenbichler becomes CEO of Bartenbach GmbH
Helmut Guggenbichler becomes CEO of Bartenbach GmbH
As the new CEO of Bartenbach GmbH, Helmut Guggenbichler will manage the company in collaboration with Daniel Föger (Head of Research and Development) and Christian Jenewein (Head of Finance and Administration)
2021
2021
EGLO acquires majority stake in Bartenbach
EGLO acquires majority stake in Bartenbach
Family-owned company EGLO under the Obwieser family strengthens lighting expertise
2021
Bartenbach named Lighting Designer of the Year and wins in several categories
Bartenbach named Lighting Designer of the Year and wins in several categories
German Lighting Design Award: Lighting Designer of the Year
German Lighting Design Award: Special Prize for Daylight
German Lighting Design Award: Education Category
2021
Harvard University Daylight control as part of the facade architecture
Harvard University Daylight control as part of the facade architecture
On the ground floor, the façade opens onto Western Avenue to emphasize the building’s various functions. These include public spaces, retail outlets, and student life. The upper floors house the laboratories. These are enclosed by a curtain wall façade, which creates a visual tapestry. Depending on the orientation of the façade, the individual elements are shaped differently, reducing direct sunlight and glare while directing diffuse daylight deep into the room. The optimized façade also ensures reduced cooling requirements.
2014
2014
Bartenbach's World of Light opens its doors and light research becomes a tangible experience!
Bartenbach's World of Light opens its doors and light research becomes a tangible experience!
2009
2009
Honorary doctorate Christian Bartenbach
Honorary doctorate Christian Bartenbach
Christian Bartenbach Sr. receives an honorary doctorate from the University of Innsbruck, awarded by Rector Karlheinz Töchterle
Die größte Uhr der Welt erstrahlt über Mekka
2009
Milestone Project: Mecca Clock Tower
Milestone Project: Mecca Clock Tower
Islam, one of the world’s major religions, manifests its presence in many ways. A remarkable symbol of this significance is the Abraj Al Bait Tower, an impressive structure that has been built in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in recent years. With an impressive height of 601 meters, the tower rises majestically above the city and symbolizes the spiritual connection of millions of believers.
Keeping track of time, the four largest clocks in the world adorn the facade of the tower at a height of 425 meters. Their dials measure an impressive 43 meters in diameter. These timepieces are not only functional instruments, but also symbols of the continuity and devotion of faith.
2007
2007
Handover to Christian Bartenbach Jr.
Handover to Christian Bartenbach Jr.
Prof. Christian Bartenbach hands over the company to his son Christian Bartenbach
2005
2005
Bartenbach becomes part of the Long Night of Research
Bartenbach becomes part of the Long Night of Research
2005
World's first LED surgical light sets new standards in operating room lighting
World's first LED surgical light sets new standards in operating room lighting
2003
2003
Launch of the Bartenbach Lighting Academy in Aldrans near Innsbruck
Launch of the Bartenbach Lighting Academy in Aldrans near Innsbruck
2002
2002
Bartenbach goes Hollywood
Bartenbach goes Hollywood
Cine Reflect Lighting System conquers the film world
Bartenbach goes Hollywood
Zusammen mit Christian Berger wurde ein neues Beleuchtungssystem entwickelt und durch die Oscar Nominierung wurde dieses System erst richtig bekannt.
Die Tiroler Technologie wird CINE REFLECT LIGHTING SYSTEM oder auch CRLS genannt. Das System besteht aus einem speziell konstruierten Scheinwerfer (Pinibeam) und einem Set von Reflektoren (Paniflectors). Diese wurden eigens berechnet und es gibt sie in verschiedenen Größen. Das Zusammenspiel von Scheinwerfer und Reflektoren erzielt die gewünschte Lichtgestaltung.
Durch die Reflektoren ergeben sich viele Vorteil. Zum Beispiel wird der Schauspieler nicht mehr von dem Licht geblendet und auch die enorme Hitze die ein Schauspieler ertragen muss, wenn er unter der Lampe steht, ist nicht mehr vorhanden. Außerdem werden nicht mehr so viele Scheinwerfer gebraucht um spezielle Effekte zu erzielen. Diese lassen sich nun mit ein paar Handgriffen herstellen.
2000
2000
World's first LED-illuminated conference room
World's first LED-illuminated conference room
Bartenbach sets up the world’s first LED room and systematically researches the new light source in a room for the first time.
1995
1995
Awarding of the professional title of professor
Awarding of the professional title of professor
Awarding of the professional title of professor by the Austrian Federal President to Mr. Christian Bartenbach
1993
1993
Design Center Linz: Invisible sun protection. Noticeable effect.
Design Center Linz: Invisible sun protection. Noticeable effect.
Microstructured grids transform sunlight into uniform, glare-free room quality.
1989
1989
Return to Tyrol – Setting off into a new dimension
Return to Tyrol – Setting off into a new dimension
The Bartenbach Light Laboratory in Aldrans is creating a globally unique center for experimental lighting research.
1986
1986
Mirror projectors as a new lighting tool
Mirror projectors as a new lighting tool
The new technology enables precise light control through reflective optics and expands the possibilities of architectural lighting.
1986
Lichtschaufel reflektiert Tageslicht ins Gebäudeinnere der HSBC Hong Kong Bank
Lichtschaufel reflektiert Tageslicht ins Gebäudeinnere der HSBC Hong Kong Bank
Das erste große Tageslichtprojekt von Christian Bartenbach, realisiert im Zusammenspiel mit Architekt Norman Foster
1963
1963
The invention of glare-free light: Dark Light technology
The invention of glare-free light: Dark Light technology
Dark-light technology – In the 1960s, Christian Bartenbach developed dark-light technology (mirror louvre luminaires). This anti-glare technology reduces glare and later shaped energy-efficient office luminaires.
1960
1960
The cornerstone of light
The cornerstone of light
With the founding of the Bartenbach lighting factory, Christian Bartenbach began his journey from entrepreneur to lighting pioneer.
Christian Bartenbach gründet gemeinsam mit seinem Bruder
die „Leuchtenfabrik Bartenbach Lichtsysteme“ in Innsbruck