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Lighting shapes and defines the spaces and extensive surfaces of MUSE. The highlight of Trento's new Le Albere residential district is the "MUseo delle ScienzE" (MUSE). The structure combines some features of a museum of natural sciences with the criteria typical of research centres. The institute dates back to the Museo Tridentino di Scienze Naturali, established in the mid-1800s.
The building is split into two underground levels and 5 above ground. The various functions within the museum can be placed in five main groups. The set-ups were designed to be "invisible", that is to say, to avoid distracting from the content. This concept produced the idea of using fine steel cable to suspend all of the objects: tables, shelves, panels, monitors, photographs, finds. Everything inside the museum is as if suspended in space and time to allow scientist-visitors to grasp every link between natural events and appreciate the respect for them. It's a way of saying: "You're suspended too, along with all the others, in this delicate balancing act".
Lighting shapes and defines the spaces and extensive surfaces of MUSE, providing equilibrium between the natural and the artificial. Natural light comes in from the sides and the roof and its expert management is one of the stand-out elements of the architecture by RPBW. Definition of the artificial lighting was entrusted to the experience and sensitivity of Piero Castiglioni.
MUSE lighting was created mainly using Le Perroquet spotlights, in some areas used together with recessed Reflex Easy LED luminaires. But this functional lighting also benefits from architectural emphasis. One example is the lines of light created by Ledstrip luminaires inserted in the thickness of the floor slabs at the points where they are cut: in the great space of the Pyramid of Creation and in the slab giving onto the temporary exhibitions hall. This type of lighting has two purposes: to add to the natural light from above and to give a sense of lightness to the structure's architectural mass. Light, shadow and half-light punctuate the structures and empty spaces, transparencies and opaque areas of the complex MUSE building.
The lobby is lit by a purpose-designed version of Le Perroquet spotlights, modified especially for this project. Again in this case, the desired effect is diffused, uniform lighting to suit the particular type of set-up. The spotlights supplement natural light arriving from the very high lobby and through the glazing. Other special luminaires, Glim Cubes with a particular shape that makes them self-supporting, are used along the museum's outer walkways. Halls and laboratories are lit by Wide Plus, whilst offices feature Cestello with a Dark Light optic providing visual comfort for those working at computer terminals or with other visually demanding tasks. Sistema Easy are fitted in the corridors and in transit zones not open to visitors.
The glasshouse, the part of the museum closest to Palazzo delle Albere and which, thanks to its transparency, can smooth the shift to the historical context, is a living laboratory whose purpose is to cultivate and preserve a piece of tropical forest. The transparent cover has openings at the top and bottom to promote natural ventilation, plus systems which provide shade. The structure is created with a mixture of wooden beams and steel elements. The glasshouse lighting consists of Woody pendant spotlights.