Prize(s) Winners in Heritage Lighting Design
University / School Name Politecnico di Milano
Lead Designers Emilia Ceprynska Ciekawy, Alvar Campello, Mohammed Brekaa
Professor Names Laura Bellia, Lisa Marchesi
Client Abbazia di Santa Maria Cerrate
Completion Date 3.07.2025
Project Location Cerrate, Lecce, Italy
Entry DescriptionThe concept respects the historic and architectural essence of the stone built, arched museum by drawing inspiration from sunlight filtering through small openings. Carefully placed, narrow-beam fixtures create high contrast, highlighting key elements like frescoes and vaulted ceilings while preserving areas of shadow for depth and atmosphere. All lighting is discreetly integrated into the architecture to protect the visual integrity of the space. Warm color
temperatures evoke a Mediterranean ambiance, resulting in a subtle, timeless scheme where light becomes a quiet, guiding presence within the stone. The goal is to respect and enhance the architectural and cultural significance of the museum space, crafted from stone, rich with arches, and evocative of historic Mediterranean environments. This concept draws direct inspiration from the way sunlight filters through small openings, creating contrast and ambient atmospheres.
Sustainability ApproachOur lighting proposal for the Abbazia di Santa Maria di Cerrate integrates sustainability in both design and technology. Using Casambi wireless control, luminaires operate only when required, adapting to natural light levels and switching off automatically during closing hours, minimizing energy waste. All fixtures employ LED tunable white technology with high efficacy and long lifespan, ensuring reduced maintenance and power consumption. The project follows principles of Circular Economy, selecting fixtures that can be refitted and recycled at end-of-life. By reusing existing wiring routes and minimizing invasive installations, we preserve the historical structure while reducing material use. Every lighting scene was optimized through energy efficiency analysis, lowering overall carbon footprint while maintaining the atmospheric integrity of the museum.
