Prize(s) Winners in Landscape Lighting Design
Lighting Design/Product Company Artec Studio
Lead Designers Maurici Ginés
Other Designer's names Grisell Herrera, Nuria Barat, Matteo Quarta
Architecture Company Michèle & Miquel
Client Michèle & Miquel | dA VISION DESIGN
Photo Credits LU Yu-Jui | Michèle & Miquel
Completion Date 2022
Project Location Taiwan (China)
Entry DescriptionIn the mountains between Taipei and Yilan, the studio, created The Dark Line, a cycling route blending history and nature. Once central to the coal industry, the region’s old railway lines now form an eco-historical route that connects abandoned infrastructure. The studio chose not to restore the tunnel, letting its abandonment tell the story, with discreet, natural interventions.
The lighting project focuses on experience over function. With only 10 lux, the light subtly enhances the tunnel’s walls and path, creating a sense of openness and comfort. Natural and artificial lighting seamlessly blend, offering cyclists a scenographic journey where illuminated walls define the space, and the path appears to float.
The lighting, adjusted by sensors to save energy, creates a continuous wash of light on the tunnel’s walls, while gaps in the floor reveal water beneath. This approach earned The Dark Line the Grand Prize AFEX 2023, among other prestigious awards.
Sustainability ApproachThe Dark Line is a project that merges history and sustainability. The intervention is subtle, allowing the abandoned tunnel to tell its own story. The lighting uses only 10 lux to minimize energy consumption while creating a magical atmosphere. The system is also sensor-controlled, adjusting the lights to the presence of cyclists, further reducing energy usage. This approach ensures a responsible use of resources while celebrating the connection between nature, history, and sustainability.
