National Museum Korea Seoul
Client
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Sejong, South Korea
Project location
Seoul, Korea
Project date
2022
Architect
JUNGLIM Architecture, Seoul
Lighting designer
JND Factory, Seoul
Light for the Soul: A Unique Museum Experience in Seoul
The Korean National Museum in Seoul is setting new standards in museum presentation with its "Room of Silent Contemplation". The goal was to create a space for inner reflection - an immersive, meditative environment that enables visitors to engage in an almost spiritual experience. Two significant Buddha statues, revered as national cultural treasures, were intened to not only be visible but also tangible. A tailored lighting solution was the key to the transformation: moving away from reflective glass showcases to a 360-degree mindfulness experience.
Precise lighting for a meditative effect – without shadows or glare
Zumtobel developed a lighting solution specifically attuned to the needs of the room and the exhibits. The focus was on uniform, glare-free illumination of the Buddha statues, without disruptive shadows or light reflections. The visitors enter the room through a dark corridor and experience atmospheric staging supported by precise lighting control. The warm white colour temperature of 3,500K highlights the golden surface of the sculptures and provides an authentic representation while ensuring maximum protection of the cultural heritage.
SUPERSYSTEM II, SCENO and PANOS – flexible tools for perfect presentation
At the center of the lighting solution are the flexible and high-precision luminaires SUPERSYSTEM II, complemented by SCENO for object presentations and PANOS downlights in the Children's Museum. SUPERSYSTEM II ioffers impressive focusable lenses, minimalist design, and millimetre-precise light direction. SCENO is excellent for the targeted accentuation of small-format objects in spaces with high ceilings, while PANOS integrates seamlessly into the architecture – ensuring maximum focus on the exhibits themselves.
Technology meets craftsmanship: tailored solutions for cultural treasures.
Zumtobel, in collaboration with JND Factory, devised a bespoke solution for the installation of luminaires on the delicate metal rods beneath the ceiling. This led to the creation of special brackets and fastenings that were perfectly suited to the architecture. This custom adaptation not only allowed for an elegant integration into the room design but also ensured precise light alignment. The project demonstrated that technological advancement and cultural sensitivity can go hand in hand – sustainable, flexible, and with a forward-thinking approach.
Min Byeong-chan, Director General of the National Museum of Korea
“After the lighting renovation, all shadows disappeared. The Buddha statues suddenly possessed a divine quality."
Min Byeong-chan, Director General of the National Museum of Korea
Individual lighting control for any situation
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