microscape ignites florence's santa croce basilica with a façade of white light

italian architecture and design studio microscape has illuminated the basilica of santa croce in florence with a fluctuating system of luminaires that vibrantly pulsate against the façade of the church. created by the studio for the 2016 F-light festival, the dynamic lighting concept plays with the intensity and colour temperature of white light — both while static and in movement — creating a space of connection between florence’s rich past and metropolitan present. 

the installation was created for the 2016 F-light festival in florence
all images by luca petrucci

‘artificial light, in its impalpable immateriality, suspended between spirit and life becomes the element capable of triggering the deepest emotional chords of a community,’ explains microscape. ‘the lighting proposal theatrically energises the surface of the façade, creating an empathy, an almost ‘physical’ contact, with the occasional passerby. the choice to work with white light, modulated by varying the colour temperature and luminous flux, allows for the staging of [the basilica’s] long construction time and, with its pulsating rhythm, activates the façade in a sort of membrane that absorbs and re-evokes the spiritual and ideal energy of the ‘illustrious ones’ who dwell in the basilica’. 

seeking the creation of a synchronous beat between basilica and citizen, the installation distances itself from mere set design. the studio instead pursues the construction of a volume that engages both historical memory and contemporary issues. the intervention aims to incorporate knowledge of local culture, an experience of collective life and a dialogue between monument and city. 

the installation distances itself from mere set design

warm light at 3000k is first projected on the statue of dante who acts as both narrator and spectator to the event. as the light makes its way up the face of the building, microscape bring to life once more the gradual construction of the church over more than 100 years. the first band of the basilica is illuminated by lights at 3000k which then rise to the next band and further up again to the final tympanum, illuminating the entire façade. the light on dante then dims, signalling the pulsation of the entire façade. the colour temperature starts to change from 3000k to 4000k and vice versa in cycles of 40 seconds, ending with a pass over the entire façade at a temperature of 4000k. the variation of light intensity concentrates on the central rosette with cycles of 30 seconds and finally terminates with a static illumination of the entire façade at 4000k.

the entire effect is achieved thanks to 22 maxiwoody compact turnables with white LED projectors and a DMX control system. the dynamic light installation, performed in loop, is programmable according to various times and events, alternating with moments of static lighting that achieve the studio’s dual intention of ‘lighting with emotion’ and ‘lighting with illustration’.

the studio pursues the construction of a space that engages both historical memory and contemporary issues

the intervention aims to incorporate knowledge of local culture, an experience of collective life…

…and a dialogue between monument and city

warm light at 3000k is first projected on the statue of dante who acts as both narrator and spectator to the event

the first band of the basilica is illuminated by lights at 3000k which then rise to the next band…

…and further up again to the final tympanum, illuminating the entire façade

the colour temperature starts to change from 3000k to 4000k and vice versa in cycles of 40 seconds

the entire effect is obtained thanks to 22 maxiwoody compact turnables with white LED projectors 

the dynamic light installation, performed in loop, is programmable according to various times and events

project info: 

client: associazione mus.e – città di firenze
lighting design: MICROSPACE architecture urban design AA
contractor: silfispa
photography: all images © luca petrucci
history: december 2016

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edited by: peter corboy | designboom