The large exhibition room in the Soviet Special Camp Museum ,designed by Schneider Schumacher on the site of the memorial for the former concentration camp of Sachsenhausen has natural lighting. The daylight passes through the exposed, closely-packed double T supports. A roof skin consisting of insulated glass forms the thermal barrier above this heavy roof structure. There are sun protection blinds between the glazing and the steel supports.
Because of the special structure, direct sunlight is only admitted at certain times of day and year, which have to be accurately determined from a geometrical-astronomical point of view. During the development of the light control system, this was taken into account using stored sunlight admission times. By reducing the threshold value and timer for closing the blinds during the direct sunlight admission times, reliable protection for the light-sensitive exhibits is provided.
The threshold (and timer) value is higher outside these sun exposure intervals in order to make as much use as possible of the diffuse daylight of the clear or cloudy sky. The blinds are also closed if the light intensity is too high.