National Gallery's Sainsbury Wing

The refurbishment of the Sainsbury Wing at London’s National Gallery transforms the arrival sequence through a lighting strategy that balances innovation with restraint. The new scheme elevates the lobby from a dark, compressed space into a luminous threshold, guiding orientation and circulation with light as the primary medium.

Artificial lighting was conceived as an integrated architectural layer. The reworked ceiling coffers—now diagonal coved striations—house slim Murano glass diffusers with concealed LEDs. These elements provide both ambient illumination and a warm, welcoming glow, lending domestic scale to a monumental space. Their diffuse quality softens the architecture while ensuring even coverage, glare control, and visual comfort for the diverse public audience.

To emphasize circulation and wayfinding, targeted accent lighting reinforces the stair as the central orientation device. Discreet fixtures highlight landings, railings, and vertical surfaces, ensuring clarity of movement without resorting to signage. Seating areas and the espresso bar are defined by localized accents, creating intimate pockets within the larger volume.

A consistent color temperature and calibrated intensity unify historic finishes with new architectural interventions. This consistency allows light to guide transitions across spaces while preserving the subdued atmosphere appropriate to a museum entry. Decorative elements, such as the Murano diffusers, further bridge the balance between technical performance and aesthetic resonance.

Sustainability and efficiency were embedded in the design. All sources are LED, with high efficacy, tight beam control, and dimmable flexibility. The integration of daylight—enabled by architectural changes such as replacing tinted glazing with clear—reduces reliance on artificial sources during daytime hours, while the electric lighting system ensures continuity and visual harmony across changing conditions.

The result is a lighting design that redefines the Sainsbury Wing’s public presence. Subtle, precise, and integrated, the scheme enhances access, comfort, and orientation while establishing a luminous prelude to the galleries beyond.