In 2016 we partnered with experience design agency Event Communications to design lighting solutions for the fantastical new H.C Andersen Museum. From concept design to site commissioning in 2022 we delivered the client brief – an “Andersenian Universe”.
Our lightscape delivers mood lighting, theatrical and dynamic lighting, state-of-the-art objects and graphic content lighting as well as creative wayfinding lighting while expressing a connection with the garden exterior realm and stories interior realm. The systems toolkit we designed for this is fully synchronised with the audio-visual narrative. This includes:
Responding to architecture and scenography, bespoke curved tracks are suspended from the ceiling to serve the presentation high-level lighting. In the Fairytale Realm these follow the form of the tree top canopies allowing specific lighting to each story zone, housing wireless DMX fittings that colour change and specialist beamshaper fittings which artworked gobos, adding textural layers.
Micro spotlights and linear profiles are built into the scenography to realise the narrative mis en scenes. These elements are fully synchronised with the A/V and are controlled via DMX protocols.
A theatrical pre-wired grid system for lighting and suspended elements and projections in The Stage Area allows for rigging on the vertical and horizontal planes as required. It provides a fully flexible mounting system.
Object lighting was specified with flexible control synchronised with the A/V narrative and presence detection. The lighting complies with strict conservation requirements and exposure of objects is minimised. The internal lighting is only activated on visitor presence and is synchronised with the master audio narrative delivery.
The “Andersenian Universe” was devised in 4 Sections/Realms. On entering the museum Anderson’s life and work, memories and imaginations are presented throughout the Biographical Realm utilising a host of sophisticated display methods. There is a curving ramp, with a diffusely lit membrane that connects the biographical spaces and leads down to the subterranean Fairytale Realm – here the visitor becomes a participant in the stories. The light helps to create space, time and mood. En route connections to the Garden Realm beyond are highlighted. The Childrens Realm provides a fully immersive interactive learning environment where the lightscape can move from daytime to nighttime to allow for imaginative story settings to be created by the young storytellers.
