Museum Lighting Design

Museum lighting encompasses the specialised design and implementation of lighting systems within museums, the art and heritage world. Its key objective is not only to illuminate the artwork but also to mitigate light exposure and regulate both the colour temperature and intensity of the light to preserve and conserve the artefacts on display. Successful lighting schemes can enhance visitors’ viewing experience while ensuring its conservation for future generations.

To achieve this delicate balance between showcasing and preservation, it’s crucial to develop a cohesive plan that accentuates the diverse range of artworks while safeguarding their integrity.

Furthermore, it is the capability to specify and safely focus the right level of high-quality light for a combination of uses within a museum or gallery environment. The task of museum lighting is to provide artefacts with a memorable wow factor while keeping the risk on display to a bare minimum. Therefore, our technical design expertise allows us to implement innovative lighting designs that are tailored and flexible solutions.

In the modern context, where technology constantly shapes our environment (and will no doubt continue to do so), our approach integrates cutting-edge lighting fixtures and controls seamlessly into historic settings, maintaining the identity of the galleries while enhancing the atmosphere for its audience.

With over 20 years of experience, we have worked on bespoke galleries and lighting schemes worldwide. Moreover, with an emphasis on conservation lighting, we light artefacts beautifully while delivering maximum aesthetic impact and a minimum risk of light abuse. Our client list includes local, national, and international museums, art galleries, private collectors, and historical sites.

Our specialist team combines research and practical application to develop lighting solutions that not only protect the collections but also highlight their heritage significance. Through careful consideration of lighting technology and its impact on various materials, we guide to ensure that every lighting choice aligns with the overarching preservation goals of the gallery, visitor centre or space.

Our museum lighting designers ensure that every curatorial and conservation necessity is met through the design process. It is significant to realise that damage to artefacts caused by overexposure to too much UV and IR light is irreversible. With this in mind, it is vital to act quickly, and our consultants can carry out full UV and IR monitoring at short notice if required.

Every museum or gallery space has varying factors that must be considered to deliver high-quality museum lighting. For example, the quality and age of existing lighting equipment, lighting controls, daylight, and available budgets, to name only a few. Additionally, we will advise on the best possible lighting solution after conducting a site survey and considering all vital factors.

By highlighting specific areas of a collection of objects, museum lighting can draw attention to important details and give visitors a sense of focus. Depending on the desired effect, it can create a sense of nuance or provoke a question.

Our advice, to update/retrofit existing equipment or provide an entirely new lighting installation option, will be invaluable. Our creative design methodology offers technical expertise, detailed implementation, and enhancement in display to achieve the best museum lighting, whatever your budget.

Summarising, as technology advances, our commitment to staying at the forefront of innovative lighting solutions ensures that we continue to shape the future of museum lighting design, pushing boundaries while preserving the essence of cultural heritage for the future.