Historical buildings and cultural heritage sites now often perform various public functions: they house museums, theaters, exhibition spaces, hotels, government agencies, etc. Historically important sites also include monuments, squares, and embankments.

Recently there is an active work has been carried out on the reconstruction and restoration of historical objects in our country. More than 1,500 cultural heritage sites have been restored in Moscow over the past 10 years, and in 2022 the “restoration boom” continues. There are amazing transformations goes on with buildings which were for a long time on the brink of destruction: changing of ceilings, restoration of decorative elements and entire walls, replacement of structural elements, restoration of masonry, changing of finishing, using of engineering systems of authentic or modern building materials. The number of events and actions are being carried out that aimed at restoring the original appearance and improving the characteristics of old structures.

ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING DESIGN FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Cultural heritage sites and historical buildings carry the historical and artistic value and deserve careful and delicate treatment. Lighting solutions are able to emphasize their uniqueness and special status. Let us tell you what features associate with the architectural lighting of historical architecture, and what key tasks lighting design solves.

ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING HELPS TO SOLVE THE FOLLOWING TASKS FOR HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OBJECTS:

1 – WORK WITH CONTEXT
Historic buildings can be a part of an architectural ensemble, located in the environment of historical, modern or mixed buildings. Each of these cases requires an analysis of the existing light environment and the harmonious integration of the object into the environmental context. Artificial lighting can emphasize the value of the building as the dominant of the ensemble or, conversely, make it a part of the background buildings, for example, while forming the panorama of the embankment. The illuminated object can be perceived in contrast with the environment, both by increasing and decreasing the brightness.

Developing lighting solution, it is important to study the history of the illuminated object, who and when built it, what happened during its life, what historical elements play an important role in addition to the location itself and the environment. Often in the historical context and life cycle of an architecture one can find the right images and use light to tell its story. In some cases, it is possible and appropriate to use colored lighting, which helps to immerse in the desired atmosphere and form an image that is readable briefly.
Choosing the optimal lighting solution for each specific case is a task for a lighting designer who has a comprehensive understanding of the architectural and urban composition, the functions of the object and the customer’s request.

2 – VALUE
The architecture of a historic building is a value, even if it is not formally an object of cultural heritage and is not subject to protection. On the one hand, it seems obvious that it is necessary to emphasize the features of such objects with light, to pay attention to them during darkness. But, on the other hand, lighting devices affect the appearance of the facade both in the evening and during the day. So, while working with architectural heritage objects pay special attention to minimizing the mounting points and visibility of lighting fixtures on the facade. Its possible to make choosing the wright location of fixtures, choosing the optimal form factor and dimensions of fixtures. Often there is a need to develop bespoke solutions: special accessories, brackets, painting in the desired color. For example, you can use special profiles to mount several luminaires, they help to reduce the number of mounting points. Lighting designers often work with mounting points and electrical leads which they have at object. There are extremely complex historical objects sometimes lighting designers meet where it is forbidden to mount luminaries to the walls, ceilings, and floors. So they use even furniture to place lighting fixtures.

In addition, it is important to consider that the connection of luminaires requires the laying of power and control cables, and it is not always possible to make it invisible on a historical facade. In such situations, cables are placed in profiles or the use lighting equipment with through wiring.
Cultural heritage objects contain historical lighting fixtures, which are also a subject to reconstruction and restoration. It’s necessary to replace wiring, diffusers, light sources there. If we talk about chandeliers, which are an integral element in ancient buildings. They act as a decorative object and do not provide a functional lighting. The lighting designer works with these objects as decorative elements and help to emphasize it with light, as well as to provide the required level of illumination in the room.
The joint work of lighting designers and electrical and automation engineers helps to keep the visual cleanliness of the facades and the uniqueness of its architectural image.

3 – UNIQUENESS
The facades of historical buildings are perceived as they were conceived by the architect during the day. The composition is determined by the form, proportions, plasticity of their elements. At night, perception can change dramatically due to artificial lighting or its absence. The lighting designer builds the composition of the facade by choosing elements to illuminate, choose the shape of the light spot, the levels, and the ratio of brightness. Changing in the direction of artificial lighting (for example, from bottom to top) compared to natural (in clear weather – the source is located above and significantly removed from the object, in cloudy weather – scattered light) also significantly affects the perception of the shape of architectural elements.

That’s why the appearance of the building in the evening depends on the decisions of the lighting designer, who can either try to bring it closer to daylight image (to keep the architectural features visible) or, on the contrary, create a unique evening image, give the viewer an opportunity to take a fresh look at the object.
The uniqueness of architecture is supported by integrated elements, such as mosaics, bas-reliefs, sculptures, or antique clocks, which are unique objects, pieces of art. They are part of the story, which is important to highlight with lighting and not to damage. Light interacts with objects, shapes, materials, and textures – that is why the lighting solution for each historical object is designed with the utmost care.

4 – EMOTIONAL PERCEPTION
Light forms the emotional image of the object in addition to its ability to create composition and shaping of the facade, the plasticity of architectural elements and work with materials and finish colors. It can be soft, calm, and hospitable, strict, solemn, dramatic. Building can tell what is happening inside it by its external appearance and adjust the person perception from street view.
With the help of lighting, you can broadcast emotions, which can also have their own dynamics. In these cases, use scenarios due to which a visual transformation occurs. For example, a light effect that simulate a candle flame is in a harmony with historical objects. Also, on the buildings you can often see stylized lanterns, the shape of which refers to the past, but with modern light sources and technologies.

LIGHTING DESIGNER MUST CONSIDER 10 PARAMETERS WHILE WORKING WITH HISTORICAL OBJECTS:

1 – design considering the light environment and the historical context;
2 – maintain the integrity of the perception of the object and place;
3 – ensure the safety of the object;
4 – identify characteristic details and key architectural and historical elements;
5 – consider interaction of light with materials: select color temperature and light distribution, control brightness characteristics, glare and reflections;
6 – form balanced contrasts, consider illuminated and shadow areas;
7 – use scenarios and lighting control systems (single lamps or groups);
8 – minimize mounting points and visibility of lighting fixtures during the day;
9 – minimize light pollution;
10 – ensure the possibility of further maintenance.

To guarantee the desired result, according to the developed lighting concept, it is recommended to mock-up the lighting equipment at the facility. The situation by the time of placing an order and the subsequent installation of lighting equipment may change (appearance of illuminated advertising displays, lighting of neighboring objects, changes in the design / decoration of the object itself, etc.). Therefore, it is better to make sure that the selected equipment meets all the criteria, and the lighting effect is fully consistent with the design solution on site.
Architectural lighting solutions for cultural heritage objects and historical buildings includes many technical and artistic aspects, and therefore requires highly qualified lighting designers, architects, engineers, and other specialists.