The Observatory

In a world saturated with screens, where digital light has replaced natural light as our primary sensory reference, The Observatory emerges as a space of resistance. A place to pause, observe, and reconnect with our most essential tool: light. Conceived as a setting for experimentation and research by the Light & Studio team, this project pays homage to the great astronomical observatories of the past. Yet here, it is not stars we observe, but the physical, emotional, and material qualities of contemporary light.

The journey begins with a sequence of vertical metal panels, evoking a ritual, almostmonumental, entrance. These anodized structures, treated as a threshold, reflect the movement of RGBW digital LED profiles that trace their edges like streams of energy. The resulting effect transforms the access into a dynamic installation, where visitors are immersed in a choreography of reflections, shadows, and flickers.

Inside, the space unfolds around a large central volume, crowned by a high-precision lighting installation. Technical compositions using Delta Light luminaires—integrated into architectural elements and suspended at varying heights—make it possible to create programmable lighting scenes that respond to the rhythm of space and time. These scenes are designed to modulate perception, enhance textures, create moments of stillness, and dissolve the boundaries between volumes.

Along one of the sides, a sequence of vertical cylinders backlit with RGBWhite LED strips turns the corridor into an immersive, almost cinematic capsule. Light here becomes narrative: it shifts, wraps, and hints. At the centre of the room, a sculptural stone table and a large red circle emit a visual pulse reminiscent of an eclipse—an eye opening in full darkness. The integration of narrow optics, recessed fixtures, and overhead washes brings control and theatricality, without sacrificing technical delicacy.

The entire project has been developed with a logic of maximum efficiency and flexibility. The lighting system is managed through DALI control and dedicated software, allowing for a precise orchestration of atmospheres and the careful calibration of the interplay between light and matter.