Prize(s) Winners in Exterior Architectural Illumination
Lighting Design/Product Company Dolce e Luce Lighting Design Studio
Lead Designers Barbora Nacarova
Client Italian Public Property Agency
Photo Credits Andrea Cardinali | Luca Adami
Completion Date July 2025
Project Location Rome, Italy
Entry DescriptionLa Vela (The Sail), the iconic yet unfinished masterpiece designed in 2005 by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, is finally ready to open its doors. Rising 75 meters high, this extraordinary structure stands as both an architectural and symbolic landmark of Rome. Despite years of neglect that mirror the city’s challenges, it endures as a powerful emblem of hope and long awaited future.
The new artistic lighting embodies a dual vision: on one hand, it highlights the monument’s grandeur, revealing its beauty and three-dimensional form through dynamic perspectives that connect it with the surrounding landscape; on the other, it tells a celestial story through light, inspired by the timeless rhythm of the sun, moon, and stars—eternal guides for travelers and pilgrims. This luminous narrative reflects the passage of time, the changing seasons, and the shared human experience, reaffirming La Vela’s role as a landmark of rebirth.
The lighting design follows a dynamic concept that balances brightness and color tones, blending static and moving effects. The sequence begins with warm shades reminiscent of a sunset, gradually shifting into the cool, radiant tones of a waxing moon. These hues then evolve into soft light blues and deep midnight tones, evoking the serenity of a starry sky, before slowly fading and returning the structure to the quiet embrace of darkness.
Sustainability ApproachThe lighting system has been carefully designed to respect the natural setting of the site while maximizing its visual impact. The main illumination is focused on the front façade, facing the sea and the sunset, while the rear side, overlooking residential areas and the natural park, remains in shadow. LED projectors placed along the base and sides create a gradual transition toward the darker areas, while shadows, intentionally integrated into the concept, emphasize the three-dimensionality of the structure and enrich the viewer’s perception. To ensure maximum precision, RGBW projectors with narrow optics are used to avoid unwanted light spill, while DMX control allows for fine adjustments of white tones and provides an infinite palette of colors for special events such as the 2025 Jubilee. The entire system is powered by photovoltaic panels, ensuring a self-sufficient and eco-friendly.
