Architectural Lighting Awards: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Wrightsman Galleries San Francisco, New York, Minneapolis

The Galleries retain the museum’s famous range of French furniture and decorative arts situated in extravagant 1700s rooms. Witness to Nobleman, Queens and Courtiers, these grand rooms were considerably transformed from lifeless museum shows into atmospheric conditions. Each room’s atmosphere and character is slightly different. Visual hierarchy, balance, shadow, color temperature, sparkle, some time and put are conceptually woven into the lighting. Within that context the astounding objects displayed are revealed in each of their glory and lit within strict low light level conservation limits. Period historic chandeliers, torchères and sconces were sensitively rewired, internal lighting was refurbished and candlesticks were fitted with electric “flames” that subtly move. As no natural light spreads throughout the rooms all lighting, including simulated daylight, is accomplished with electric light sources.