Illuminating a cultural heritage site
Color Kinetics illuminated the Kırıkkale Nur Mosque in Turkey that has been awarded with an "Award of Merit" at the 33rd International Lighting Design Competition organized by International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) in San Diego.
Inspired by the late Ottoman architecture, the mosque has a 32-meter high main dome, an indoor area of 26,000 m2, four prayer towers and has a capacity for 10,000 people in total. The award jury was convinced by the unique lighting design approach, featuring Color Kinetics technology, which emphasizes the spiritual identity of the mosque and created an iconic appearance for the city of Kırıkkale.
The mosque's lighting designer Ayrım Yaser Talu from Zeve Engineering and Lighting, said: "Located in the city center, the mosque presents itself like a symbol of the city. As such, the lighting needed to support the mosque's spiritual atmosphere while having a spectacular silhouette in the nighttime as well. We needed a variety of products in different types and power ranges. Therefore, we benefited from the wide portfolio offered by Signify."
A mystical symbol for the city
The lighting design amplified the mosque's spiritual character while providing depth to its architectural structure. Soft white LED lighting was used in the main dome while a warm white LED lighting was preferred for the windows surrounding the dome as well as for the gigantic pillars. A mystical appearance was achieved within the mosque by creating a contrast using a combination of nearly a thousand daylight colored spots and surface-mounted light points. To keep the daytime appearance of the mosque, the lighting products were painted the same color as the surfaces and placed in niches and behind vases. Products with varying optics and wattages were used to create a harmony between illuminated surfaces. Also, the Signify LED lighting system is anticipated to be up to 75% more energy efficient than traditional lighting technologies. Over the course of the evening the light changes by using lighting scenarios which saves energy and creating a beautiful atmosphere at night.
"We are glad to provide lighting systems that add character to the city and win international acclaim. It's a great achievement that the Kırıkkale Nur Mosque has won the prestigious Award of Merit by the International Association of Lighting Designers.
Our objective is to increase the number of our award-winning projects in the future and help Turkey achieve an international recognition in this regard," said Özge Süzen, Signify Marketing Manager.
