Il Varo

This lighting design project explores the transformation of a hybrid hospitality space named IL VARO, integrating a layered lighting approach across a structure with multiple identities: residential, exhibition, and event use. The concept was shaped by the building’s nautical-inspired architecture — envisioned as a ship docked atop an existing industrial volume — and the need for flexible, user-responsive lighting scenarios.



The design was grounded in three key principles: continuity, fluid transformation, and flexible functionality. These informed the spatial and lighting strategies that support varying programs, from intimate residential uses to dynamic public gatherings.



The continuity concept focuses on structural expression through light. Linear LED luminaires were mounted along exposed I-beams, emphasizing the architectural skeleton that spans multiple floors. These luminaires guide circulation, establish rhythm, and visually bind the vertical and horizontal layers of the space. High-CRI fixtures ensure excellent color rendering and material perception.



Fluid transformation is addressed through wave-like pendant systems and programmable sequences, inspired by kinetic art and media architecture. Custom suspension luminaires mimic the undulation of waves, dimming in sequence to evoke softness and movement, while programmable control systems enable adaptable lighting moods — ranging from tranquil ambient tones to animated scenes for evening events.



To express flexible functionality, lighting was designed to be mobile and modular. Freestanding fixtures, movable task lights, and tensioned LED sails allow users to reconfigure their environments. These choices highlight user agency and adaptability, making the space suitable for cooking, reading, relaxing, and entertaining, all within a single holistic lighting scheme.



A daylight-responsive automation system regulates linear lighting throughout the day, ensuring comfort, energy efficiency, and scenographic variation. Through its blend of architecture, storytelling, and integrated lighting control, IL VARO redefines the experience of hospitality space — not as a fixed environment, but as an immersive, evolving atmosphere.