Sustainable light, sustainable stories

by Elga Niemann and Jonathan Gittins, Directors of Lighting

Lighting in a museum is never just background. It shapes how visitors feel, what they notice, and what they remember. It’s how people connect with the stories on display. But there’s always a balance to strike: too much light can damage fragile objects, and too little can leave everything feeling flat.

Lighting isn’t just about making things look good or keeping them safe — it’s also about sustainability. When we use natural light in smart ways, we reduce energy use. When lighting systems are well integrated into the building, we avoid waste. And when curators can easily control the lighting, we future-proof the space.

The best lighting often goes unnoticed — but it can completely shape the experience.

London at night — an open-air gallery where the bridges are the artwork
The Illuminated River project reimagined nine Thames bridges as part of a single expansive artwork stretching through the heart of London. In effect, the Thames became the gallery, and the bridges its canvases; a cultural experience open to all and embedded in the everyday life of the city.

But this project was not just about lighting. Environmental sensitivity was just as important as visual impact. When the city becomes the gallery, the artwork must sit comfortably within it.

To achieve this, we carried out extensive surveys of the existing night-time conditions, allowing us to tailor light levels to their context; much like adjusting gallery lighting to suit each piece on display. Carefully controlled optics, shielding, and baffles helped minimise light spill, reduce energy use, and protect the river’s ecology, all while focusing attention where it belonged: on the artwork.

London at night is a gallery of its own. Thoughtful lighting of the public realm ensures everyone is invited to be part of it.