Enlargement of the museum
Enlargement of the museum

Expansion of the Pecci Museum in Prato. Natural light and a return to the future

The Dutch architect Maurice Nio designs the expansion of the Pecci Museum, "embracing" the original work. The Polo Bernardo D'Ippolito Light Designer makes Nio's vision concrete by filtering natural light from above

The exhibition area of the Pecci Museum has been expanded to become an international museum, thanks to a project by the Dutch architect Maurice Nio, which was then realized by the Kino Workshop Studio of Bernardo D'Ippolito Light Designer, who understood the museum's vision. The new exhibition pavilion embraces the existing one, the work of Italo Gamberini

Exhibition pavilion with plays of light and shadows

The natural light enhances the shape by creating games of shadows and depth and showing the objects exposed with their true colors, which is why the works in the past were exposed outdoors. The designer therefore aims to create a natural light, a contemporary return to the future, something that would not have been possible with only traditional skylights, which instead of lighting, create stains of light and visual disturbance. This play of light was possible thanks to the use of the system patented by Infinity Motion

Exhibition pavilion with plays of light and shadows

The designers succeeded in doing this by filtering light from above, pure light, through a Solatube® system, obtaining a diffused natural light that does not alter the chromatic spectrum. The tonality of the pure white, which dominates the interiors, thus transforms the space into a crystalline environment, preparing the space to welcome and embrace the works, as if it was suspended in this modern and contemporary space

Exhibition pavilion with plays of light and shadows

To achieve this effect, the 78 Solatube DS 290 (350mm duct diameter) was used, making it possible for the space to be illuminated uniformly. The use of Solatube® ensures a UV-free light and blocks infrared rays, which could partially damage the artworks on display

Exhibition pavilion with plays of light and shadows

The color is not altered, maintaining the spectrum of natural light and all this control of safeguards of the works is made even safer thanks to an Infinity Motion home automation system, which allows you to integrate the two lighting systems, both the natural and artificial

Exhibition pavilion with plays of light and shadows

The whole project was born from the desire to find a purer light, and pursuing this goal has given the two designers the opportunity to challenge each other and complement their professionalism, all made possible by new technologies in terms of lighting and welfare

Gallery