A device for controlling the atmosphere in a space (16) which is partly delimited by at least one glass component (12, 13; 61) and which is separated from the environment (17, 18), with at least one connection between the space and the environment, and with at least one electrically actuatable valve (32, 33; 47, 48) associated with the connection, which valve is connected to an electric control unit (24); the valve (32, 33; 47, 48) is arranged in a connecting passage (34) within a member (15A) delimiting the space (16), namely in the case of an insulating glass assembly (11), a connecting ledge (15) arranged between two glass panes (12, 13) or, in the case of a lamp (60), in a socket (64), and the control unit (24) provided for an automatic actuation of the valve is also arranged in said member (15A).