IAnD Exclusive
Special Feature: Looking Back: Looking Forward
By Ar. Vinita Wagh
Special Feature: Looking Back: Looking Forward
By Ar. Vinita Wagh
Photography: Courtesy the architects
Read Time: 2 mins
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Façade illumination is an artistic expression that often speaks of the city itself. Ar. Kiran Kalamdani and Ar. Prashant Sutaria tell us how this trend has warmed to mainstream architecture in the past decade and how it will carry forward in the future.
Facade illumination has not been uncommon when it comes to theatrics. From creating lasting impressions of underlying architecture to curating immersive experiences that alter the way we perceive structures; façade illumination uplifts the cultural value of the vicinity while establishing the structure as a landmark.
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| Facade lighting at CSMT Mumbai World Heritage site by Ar. Kiran Kalamdani (inset) |
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Ar. Kiran Kalamdani recollects the decade of 2000, when front-yard cluster-lights rendered the structure visible at night, and night-lighting predominantly favoured floodlights and sodium vapour, mercury halide and CFL luminaries. However, the 2010 decade has witnessed new inventions and improvements in the efficacy of façade lighting, he observes. The trend has even encompassed greater creative ideas and cultural interpretations.
Citing his work with the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) Mumbai World Heritage Site to express Mumbai’s complex, multifaceted society and its emotional celebrations, he opines that regular places can transform into festivals of light, drawing people closer and reinforcing social bonds. In new light, old landmarks lift the profile of the surrounds, while clarifying the intent of their architects. He predicts the forthcoming years to take a liking to dynamic lighting and scattering and even present us with unprecedented technological breakthroughs. Better efficiency, low power usage and response to context would also gain importance.
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| Facade lighting by Ar. Prashant Sutaria (inset) |
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Ar. Prashant Sutaria also affirms the rapid evolution of cutting-edge technology, not just in the market but at one’s fingertips, to fuel creative aspirations in this digital landscape. He attributes to technology the coming shift from simple illumination to complex, programmable lighting. The availability of long life, low energy usage LED/RGBs and easily installable lights coupled with the rise of shopping malls and luxury hotels has escalated this trend. And façade cleaning and maintenance systems incorporate lighting installations too, he informs.
He projects this trend to become more interesting and interactive, citing The Bund (Shanghai) and Times Square (New York), where facades display advertising, coordinated light shows and news. Alternately, artistic coordinated lighting akin to the Burj Khalifa (Dubai), Eiffel Tower (Paris) and Marina (Singapore), he says, adds to tourist inflow and improves the economy of the city.
On a closing note, he refers to his mixed-use project in East India that incorporates façade lighting from the initial design stage itself.
We all know light, either natural or artificial, to play a fundamental role in the design of a building, but going forward, technology promises to add versatility, while ‘smart’ lighting would factor in sustainability and performance.
Participating Architects:
Ar. Kiran Kalamdani
Ar. Prashant Sutaria
Thanks for the article though the BMC lighting is not our work despite the fact that the original architect for both buildings was Fredrick William Stevens. It was indeed a great privilege to be given the task that was completed six years ago. Today despite the passage of time the lighting continues to add to the space and inspire people.
ReplyDeleteI have been noticing this for quite sometime and used to wonder hoe it could change the face of a city but never knew there is a term called Facade Illumination. Thanks for the info
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