Prize(s) Winners in Visitor Experience & Museum Exhibition
Lighting Design/Product Company Studio ZNA
Lead Designers Zerlina Hughes
Other Designer's names Beatrice Nespega
Architecture Company Jamie Fobert Architects
Interior Design Company Nissen Richards Studio (Interpretation and Permanent Exhibition Design)
Client National Portrait Gallery
Photo Credits Gareth Gardner
Other Credits Heritage Consultants: Purcell Architects / Setworks Contractors: Factory Settings
Completion Date 22/06/2023
Project Location London
Entry DescriptionAfter three years of extensive redevelopment and a meticulous redisplay of over 1000 artworks, the new National Portrait Gallery, aptly named 'Inspiring People,' opened to superb reviews from press and public in June 2023. The Studio designed, specified, programmed and focussed all the lighting within the gallery spaces at high level and at low level in bespoke showcases and setworks.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the 'Inspiring People' project was the ambition to mix the more traditional oil painting collection with light-sensitive works on paper. A carefully designed choreography of luminance ensured each work and particular medium would shine and retain focus even when displayed at very low light levels to limit exposure.
The visitor journey can be chronological, starting on the second floor the Tudor Galleries are of a more intimate scale and here amongst the dark finishes the works are lit to glow in the space and evoke a richness and power to complement the content. The rooms then open up into 17th -19th centuries grand roof lit galleries. Working with the M&E designers to define acceptable daylight levels for the works the use of daylight is maximised using louvres on the roof to control the sunlight penetration. The full colour spectrum of daylight combined with the highest gallery quality spotlights renders these works to their best effect.
Sustainability ApproachThe Studio worked with Max Fordham to harvest daylight for the circulation and ambient light in galleries with daylight exposure. Fixtures with daylight sensors were specified to ensure energy consumption is controlled based on the amount of daylight present, without exceeding conservation requirements.. All display cases are fitted with a CASAMBI unit which allows the lighting to work only when needed. All cases are also fitted with low energy LED lighting.
The Studio work as a matter of course with manufacturers with high re-use and renewal standards. Most fixtures specified come with a 25 years of duty of care where fixtures may be refurbished through the years and/or upgraded with new LED modules instead of the body of the fixture and its accessories ending up in landfill.
