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Divriği Great Mosque And Hospital
Sivas / Türkiye (2017-2019)
The Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the masterpieces of Anatolian Seljuk architecture. Its extraordinary stone portals, adorned with extraordinarily intricate relief carvings, represent a pinnacle of medieval craftsmanship that has endured for over eight centuries. The challenge of illuminating such a site was as much an act of stewardship as it was a design exercise.
Our approach was guided by the principle of minimum intervention with maximum impact. We conducted extensive photometric studies to understand how light interacts with the deeply carved stone surfaces at different times of day and across seasons. This research informed the placement of ultra-low-profile fixtures that reveal the three-dimensionality of the carvings through carefully angled grazing light, bringing out textures invisible to the naked eye in flat lighting conditions.
Colour rendering accuracy was paramount — the warm ochre and cream tones of the local stone required light sources with a CRI exceeding 95 to be faithfully represented. Wireless control systems allow conservation teams to adjust light levels remotely, ensuring compliance with international heritage preservation standards. The completed project has been recognised by preservation organisations as a model for sensitive illumination of historic monuments.
Divriği Great Mosque And Hospital
Sivas / Türkiye (2017-2019)
The Divriği Great Mosque and Hospital is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the masterpieces of Anatolian Seljuk architecture. Its extraordinary stone portals, adorned with extraordinarily intricate relief carvings, represent a pinnacle of medieval craftsmanship that has endured for over eight centuries. The challenge of illuminating such a site was as much an act of stewardship as it was a design exercise.
Our approach was guided by the principle of minimum intervention with maximum impact. We conducted extensive photometric studies to understand how light interacts with the deeply carved stone surfaces at different times of day and across seasons. This research informed the placement of ultra-low-profile fixtures that reveal the three-dimensionality of the carvings through carefully angled grazing light, bringing out textures invisible to the naked eye in flat lighting conditions.
Colour rendering accuracy was paramount — the warm ochre and cream tones of the local stone required light sources with a CRI exceeding 95 to be faithfully represented. Wireless control systems allow conservation teams to adjust light levels remotely, ensuring compliance with international heritage preservation standards. The completed project has been recognised by preservation organisations as a model for sensitive illumination of historic monuments.
