Daylighting and electric lighting strategies for the Gallery of the Kings and the Temple of Ellesija of the Egyptian Museum of Turin

The Egyptian Museum in Turin is currently undergoing a comprehensive retrofitting project, scheduled for completion by October 2024, marking its 200th anniversary celebration. In collaboration with Politecnico di Torino, the museum is focusing on advanced lighting solutions, primarily in the Gallery of Kings and the Temple of Ellesija, with potential applications in other areas. The core objective is to develop versatile electric lighting and daylighting solutions, emphasizing an optimal visitor experience while ensuring meticulous control of lighting levels and spectral characteristics to preserve artworks. The Gallery of Kings, renowned for its statuaries, will undergo a redesign featuring both electric lighting and daylighting. Originally designed with large windows, the proposed layout aims to reopen them. The study expands its scope beyond statuaries to include materials like papyrus, wood, and organic paintings displayed in various museum galleries. The overarching goal is to devise lighting solutions that enhance visitor perception while adhering to photometric requirements for artwork preservation. Sustainability and resilience considerations are integral to the study, involving an analysis of LED lighting systems and glazing technologies for electric and daylight control. A 3D model of the Gallery assesses daylighting contributions, factoring in the surrounding built environment. The study delves into the potential use of curtains, filters, or films on glass panes for effective indoor radiation control. The methodology integrates numerical simulations, photometric renderings, and in-situ experimental measurements to ensure lighting levels meet the requirements for visitor perception and artwork preservation. The exploration extends to the adjacent "Temple of Ellesija," with collaboration from Brixel agency consultants. Similar to the Gallery of Kings, the objective is to optimize visitor perception while safeguarding artifacts. This segment explores an innovative application of video-mapping, and climate-based 3D simulations determine the maximum allowable daylight for projecting images onto the Temple's walls and surfaces.