Prize(s) Winners in Religious & Spiritual Site Lighting Design
Lighting Design/Product Company FABERtechnica Engineering Srl
Lead Designers Marco Frascarolo, Founder Engineer & Technical Director
Other Designer's names Sara Iacoponi, Lighting designer
Architecture Company Pierre-Antoine Gatier, Chief architect, with Giulia Gabellini, Conservation Architect
Client Pieux Établissements de la France à Rome
Photo Credits FABERtechnica Engineering Srl
Other Credits Services Engineer: BucciandPartners; Fire Consultant: Gianpiero Favuzzi, Umberto Barbiero
Completion Date December 2024
Project Location Rome
Entry DescriptionThe new lighting system for “San Luigi dei Francesi” church has been developed with the aim of guaranteeing a harmonious vision of the entire space, which constitute a unicum of extraordinary value from architectural, historical and artistic point of view. Lighting fixtures are equipped with 2700 K, CRI>90, anti glare accessorizes and DALI control system. Different scenarios dedicated to free and guided visits, orchestra and organ concerts, weddings and different liturgical moments, have been developed. “Contarelli” chapel, the main attraction of the Church, has been brought back into a harmonious relationship with the rest of the space, eliminating the existing coin operated ignition system. Special dynamical scenes has been designed for guided visits in chapels in order to develop a special engagement with visitors. The guide’s description of each work of art, is coupled with a dedicated soft light accent. In “Contarelli” chapel, the dynamic light dedicated to Caravaggio masterpieces - Calling, Inspiration, and Martyrdom of St Matthew - is based on progressive soft focus on single areas, that are significant for paintings composition. A particular attention has been dedicated to technologies visual impact: fixtures are very small, colours have been calibrated on backgrounds; mimetic metal veils have been realized to hide electrical wiring and fixtures from all viewpoints.
Sustainability ApproachThe lighting project for the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome relies entirely on LED fixtures, chosen for high luminous efficiency, absence of UV emissions—harmful to paintings and historic materials—and long-term sustainability. LEDs ensure excellent color rendering, enhancing artworks and architecture while reducing environmental impact and maintenance costs.
The design reflects a vision centered on heritage preservation and visitors’ visual comfort. Multiple lighting scenarios optimize energy use, functional needs, comfort, and scenographic effects.
Fixtures feature long lifespan, Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) with full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and compliance with European standards such as Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM).
Existing devices were reused in complementary areas.
Company DescriptionFABERtechnica was born in 2001,when Marco Frascarolo was contacted by a well-known photographer/entrepreneur who intended to purchase the former General Electric complex in Milan and transform it into flexible spaces for recording and listening to music.The feasibility study required a mix of skills,focusing on architectural acoustics and multimedia communication through light.This ledFrascarolo,an engineer with a passion for light and sound,to join the group of faculty at Milan's avant-garde Image University.In that year,the foundations were laid for FABERtechnica,where light remained central
