The [d]arc awards are an international award, celebrating the best in lighting design. The awards shortlist was just released – and we’re very pleased to announce that two projects from White have made the final cut. Curiosum Science Center in the category ‘Structures – high budget’, and the 200 Year Pavilion in the ‘Structures – low budget’ category.
The 200 Year Pavilion is the result of the work of an interdisciplinary group of architects, digital design specialists and lighting designers. The lighting design of this architectural piece, built from existing timber beams from a 200-year-old unused sawmill barn, aimed to respectfully illuminate the structure by revealing the tactile qualities and details of the aged timber whilst at the same time creating a place-making installation that activates the city space after sunset.
It is really exciting to see 200 Year Pavilion shortlisted for the [d]arc awards in the category of Structures – low budget. A great example that illustrates the importance of making responsible use of the resources we have, value the history of materials, and the strength of working interdisciplinary.
200 Year Pavilion | Photo: Anders Bobert
Umeå’s new science center Curiosum opened its doors in October 2020 and has been praised for its spectacular lighting design on the newly built extension, a dome theater with a façade constructed of 475 perforated aluminum cassettes with over 8400 lights, each equipped with one red, green and blue LED hidden behind the outer façade layer.
We’re happy to see Curiosum Science Center selected as one of the final structures in the high budget category. It stands tall amongst its many beautifully lit peers, with its 8400 individually controllable LEDs dynamically glowing to stimulate curiosity.
– Whilst we generally use colored light with caution, we found this unique local landmark deserving of something extraordinary. Through its exterior lighting, the dome becomes a symbol of the presence and importance of the science center as an enlightening function in society. Thanks to an exceptionally good cooperation when designing the cassettes, the lighting was fully integrated in the façade, leaving it visually free from undesirable tech, says Viktor Martinsson.
The unique award is the only true peer-to-peer lighting design awards in the world – the shortlist has been chosen by an international jury of independent architectural lighting designers- each of the 1,600 lighting design practices as well as architects and interior designers are now invited to vote on their favorite projects. Voting is now open and closes on Friday 26th of March.
All winners will be announced at the [d]arc awards virtual event on the 29th of April 2021. You can read more about the [d]arc awards here.