Prize(s) Winners in Public Building Lighting Design
Lighting Design/Product Company White Arkitekter
Lead Designers Isabel Villar
Other Designer's names Patsy Bellido och Tina Wikström
Architecture Company Archus
Interior Design Company White Arkitekter
Client Dalarna University
Photo Credits Emil Fagander
Completion Date 15th August 2024
Project Location Borlänge Sweden
Entry DescriptionReimagining Learning Through Light
Inaugurated in autumn 2024, the new university campus in central Sweden marks a bold step in educational architecture and lighting design. Spanning 13,300 m², it hosts diverse programs for both in-person and remote learning.
The lighting concept was developed in close collaboration with interior architects, faculty, and researchers. It balances function and atmosphere to support hybrid lectures, group work, and individual focus. The goal: inspiring, inclusive, and well-lit environments that foster creativity, well-being, and equity.
Each space is purposefully lit. Lecture halls feature suspended fixtures with direct and indirect light. Tunable white technology and layered lighting adapt to different activities. In the library’s silent reading room, floating luminaires and reading lamps create a serene ambiance. Offices and lounges use dynamic lighting scenes that respond to time and use.
Lighting is seamlessly integrated with architecture and user needs.A custom ceiling profile supports both luminaires and building systems, while intuitive bespoked icons on touch panels simplify the control of lighting scenarios.
Despite a tight two-year timeline and public budget constraints, the result is a campus that meets high standards.This project shows how lighting design can shape experience, empower learning, and support sustainability.
Sustainability ApproachSustainability was a guiding principle throughout. The lighting strategy was planned from the outset, balancing general and ambient lighting to optimize energy use. Eco-conscious materials and local sourcing were prioritized. A minimal number of fixture families were selected to streamline maintenance and reduce environmental impact—without compromising comfort or aesthetics. We priotize choices of fixtures produced with recycled aluminium, that comply with eco-design directived and produced in Europe complying with current environmental regulations.
Social sustainability was equally central. The lighting supports inclusive, welcoming spaces where students and educators feel at home. Vertical surfaces and soft transitions between open and enclosed areas foster safety and connection. Each environment was given a distinct identity through light—enhancing mood, interaction, and belonging.
Company DescriptionWhite Arkitekter is one of Scandinavia’s leading architectural practices. We work in an international context with the mission to enable sustainable life through the art of architecture. Our vision is that by 2030 all our architecture will be regenerative and climate neutral through design excellence.
Over 70 Years of Community Engagement and Collaboration
White Arkitekter was founded in 1951 in Gothenburg by Sidney White with the aim to improve society through architecture. His legacy lives on in our ambition to contribute towards a more sustainable world.
