Royal institute of technology School of architecture Master’s in architectural lighting design Master Thesis A Lighting Design for the Façade of Riddarholmen Church AUTHOR: OMAR JABERI Tracks: urban space, historical landmark and monument. Index: Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Introduction............................................................................................................................... 4 Research question ................................................................................................................... 4 Keywords .................................................................................................................................. 4 Limitations ................................................................................................................................ 4 Methodology and structure ..................................................................................................... 5 PART ONE THE CURRENT SITUATION ................................................................................. 6 Background and regulation .................................................................................................... 6 Historical background ................................................................................................................. 6 History of Stockholm .................................................................................................................. 6 History of Riddarholmen church ................................................................................................. 7 Users activities ........................................................................................................................... 9 Use of the place ......................................................................................................................... 9 Light regulation ........................................................................................................................... 9 Analysis and observation of context ................................................................................... 10 Weather .................................................................................................................................... 10 Location .................................................................................................................................... 10 Wind .......................................................................................................................................... 11 Urban fabric of the surrounding neighborhoods ...................................................................... 11 Urban fabric of Riddarholmen .................................................................................................. 12 Parts of the church and architectural elements ....................................................................... 13 Visibility from short and long distance ..................................................................................... 39 Light situation from surrounding neighborhoods ..................................................................... 40 Light situations around the church ........................................................................................... 42 Movement ................................................................................................................................. 45 Users behavior ......................................................................................................................... 46 Public opinion ......................................................................................................................... 47 Results ..................................................................................................................................... 48 PART TWO THE SOLUTION .................................................................................................. 49 Users’ requirements and expectations................................................................................ 49 Vision ....................................................................................................................................... 49 Previous case studies and similar projects ........................................................................ 49 Mood board and inspiration .................................................................................................. 51 Light experiments of a physical model ............................................................................... 53 Final concept .......................................................................................................................... 55 Discussion .............................................................................................................................. 59 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 59 Image source .......................................................................................................................... 61 References .............................................................................................................................. 60 Abstract: The aim of this thesis is to study the current lighting conditions of Riddarholmen church at night time, by following a methodology that consists of three parts; background and regulation, analysis and observation of context as well as creating a public opinion. Comparing the church with others by introducing different case studies and similar projects to make an inspiration. Giving an answer to the research question about the possibilities of light to reveal the historical value of the church as the oldest in Stockholm, as well as improve the visibility of the church from a short and long distance. In addition, proposing a lighting concept that highlights the historical value of the church and makes a visual hierarchy of different light layers depending on the distance. Introduction: The city of Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is located in the eastern archipelago of Sweden. The city was built on several islands in the water channels between the Baltic Sea and the lake of Mälaren. The name Stockholm is formulated from two parts. The first part of the name (Stock) means log in Swedish, although it may also be connected to an old German word (Stock) meaning fortification. The second part of the name (holm) islet. [1] Over the years, several different names and concepts have been used about Stockholm to attract foreign tourists such as “! The Venice of the North and "The Queen of Mälaren". The latest name "Stockholm, the capital of Scandinavia" [2] Stockholm is a multicultural city, filled with historical places and landmarks from different periods. In Stockholm you can see many medieval churches such as "Riddarholmen church", old renaissance and baroque palaces like "the royal palace of Stockholm" and museums such as "Vasa museum". These places tell visitors and tourists about the history of the city, especially Riddarholmen church which is one of the oldest buildings in Stockholm. These historical places should be easily seen from all around the city, therefore it is the lighting designers' responsibility to increase the visibility and show them in a fascinating way. Fig 1: a view over the city of Stockholm Research question: The importance of Riddarholmen makes us ask this question as lighting designers: Can light show the historical value of Riddarholmen church and how can light effect the church visibility from a short and long distance? Keywords: Historical landmark - monument - identity - culture - attraction - visibility- harmony with urban context. Limitations: The study is only considering: - Night time and evening - Artificial light - Facades of the church ~ 4 ~ Methodology and structure: The methodology consist of two main parts: 1- Study of a current situation. 2- Propose a concept for a new permanent lighting system and a temporary dynamic lighting system related to different historical events and important holidays. 1- Part one: a- Background and regulation: - Historical background of Stockholm and Riddarholmen church. - User activities. - Use of the place. - Lighting regulations. b- Analysis and observation of context: - Weather. - Location. - Wind. - Urban fabric of the surrounding neighborhoods. - Urban fabric of Riddarholmen around the church. - Parts of the church and architectural elements. - Visibility from a short and long distance. - Light situation from the surrounding neighborhoods following the 7 factors. - Light situation around the church following the 7 factors. - Movement. - User behavior. c- Public opinion by survey and interviews. To know how people perceive the light by the church, get more understanding about the sense of comfort and safety in the place. As well as the attractiveness of the place and visibility of the church. 2- Part two: a- Introduce previous case studies and similar projects. b- Present user requirements and expectations. c- Vision. d- Mood board. e- Build a physical model to make light experiments, as well as a personal and public’s evaluation of the attractiveness, light distribution, visibility….etc.