Winterthur Museum and Gardens, Winterthur, DE Period Room Relighting Project (1996-2001)
Architect: John Milner and Associates; Engineer: Furlow and Associates

Winterthur Museum and Gardens

Period Room Relighting Project

With thousands of objects displayed in more than 200 period rooms, the Winterthur estate of Francis H. du Pont presents visitors with an outstanding array of American decorative arts. For years this renowned collection was viewed under dim light from traditional chandeliers and sconces - and the beam of a tour guide's flashlight.

To increase visual access for an increasingly demanding visitor, our solution used a small-aperture adjustable lighting system for accents. These were recessed into shallow ceiling cavities within the former residence of the du Pont family. This system allows for precise highlights of previously obscure object details, as well as soft washes of light that illuminate walls and reinforce the perception that daylight and decorative fixtures are providing significant contributions to the appearance of the room. Over 5000 dimmer zones create multiple room-based lighting scenes that respond to conservation needs, changing daylight conditions, and guided tours.