S.A.L.V.A. · Shine a Light on Villa Adriana. Analysing and reconstructing the original lighting asset and the illumination design process of the architectural complex of Villa Adriana, Tivoli.

Shine a Light on Villa Adriana. Analysing and reconstructing the original lighting asset and the illumination design process of the architectural complex of Villa Adriana, Tivoli.

The project was carried out in the Archaeology Area of the Department of Geography, History and Philosophy at Pablo de Olavide University of Seville), under the supervision of Prof. Rafael Hidalgo Prieto. It originated from a clear scientific and cultural need: although Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, had been extensively studied in all its aspects for centuries due to its extraordinary state of preservation and architectural complexity, the role of light in shaping its architecture has remained rather neglected. Against this background, the project pursued the overarching objective of analysing and reconstructing the original lighting arrangements and illumination design processes of selected architectural complexes within the villa. Understanding light as a fundamental dimension of architecture—its “fourth dimension”—the research aimed to address a crucial gap in Roman architectural studies while contributing to broader heritage-related needs, including enhanced interpretation, visitor engagement and evidence-based conservation strategies. The motivation behind the project lay in the recognition of the important role that lighting solution had in the formation of Roma architectural culture, which forms the foundation of much of Europe’s built heritage. Yet, archaeological remains often lack their full elevations, making it difficult to perceive how light would have interacted with volumes, surfaces and functions. By reconstructing some of the villa’s luminous environments, the project responded to the need to recover an essential component of ancient architectural experience and to integrate it into contemporary cultural and tourism policies. Drawing on my background and expertise in the site, I approached the topic systematically, addressing previously unanswered questions: How was architectural illumination conceived and implemented in Hadrian’s Villa? Which lighting effects were intentionally produced in its pavilions? What levels and qualities of luminous comfort were required for different functions? To reach substantive answers, the project focused on some case-studies, such as the area of Palazzo Imperiale with its triclinia halls, used for banquets and elite representation and the Bath complexes, characterised by varied spatial typologies and sensory expectations. Their archaeological remains were surveyed using cutting-edge technologies, allowing the collection of precise spatial data. These were analysed in context and combined with reconstructive hypotheses and digital models to recreate the original luminous atmospheres of the selected spaces. A secondment at the School of Specialization in Archaeological Heritage (SSBA) of Sapienza University of Rome and at the Visualizing Science in Media Revolution Research Group (VSMR) of the Biblioteca Hertziana enabled me to address the engineering and history-of-science dimensions of ancient lighting systems. The project also included a six-month non-academic placement at KatatexiLux (KL), a firm specialised in virtual reconstructions and IT-assisted research in Roman architecture, which supported the dissemination and validation of the results. The Istituto autonomo Villa Adriana e Villa d’Este – MiBAC (IVAVE) acted as associated partner, ensuring relevance for site management and heritage policies.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз