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Relighting The National Maritime Museum: Conservation, Inclusion & Storytelling
The National Maritime Museum, renowned for its extensive maritime collections, sought an LED relight in key galleries and spaces to better serve its diverse audience and enhance the storytelling of its historical artefacts. The Museum has a long-standing relationship with ERCO, which began with the relighting of Cutty Sark in 2012. Continuing this partnership, together with DHA Designs, ERCO delivered a future-proof lighting solution that emphasizes inclusivity, conservation, and engagement with history. The lighting project incorporates ERCO’s latest technology, including Optec and Iku luminaires, paired with the Casambi lighting control system for optimal flexibility.
David Robertson from DHA Designs reflected on the project, “DHA’s long-standing relationship with Royal Museums Greenwich has been enhanced by being able to rely on one manufacturer, ERCO, whose comprehensive range of museum-quality fixtures and control options, has allowed us to light the galleries beautifully and simplify the on-going maintenance”
ERCO’s lighting solutions have transformed the National Maritime Museum into a space where history, storytelling, and inclusivity come together, allowing visitors of all ages and backgrounds to engage with the Museum in unique and meaningful ways.
Illuminating Maritime History: The Baltic Glass
The showcase of this relight project is the evocative stained glass panels of the Baltic Glass. The members of the Baltic Exchange, an international maritime commerce organization, who lost their lives during the First World War. Designed by artist John Dudley Forsyth and unveiled in 1922, the panels feature classical figures celebrating both the fallen and civic ideals such as truth and justice. Originally part of a larger installation in the Baltic Exchange's London headquarters, the artwork was severely damaged in 1992 by a terrorist bomb. Following more than a decade of meticulous restoration, the surviving panels were donated to the Museum in 2005.
The centerpiece, a striking half-dome, depicts the winged figure of Victory with symbolic scenes of peace and war, while the outer windows list key World War I battles. Opposite the dome, vertical panels represent the virtues of Truth, Hope, Justice, Fortitude, and Faith, drawing on themes from classical and Renaissance art. This restored memorial, now located next to the Sea Things gallery, serves as a poignant tribute to both the history of war and the enduring ideals of humanity.
Originally lit with ERCO Halogen Spotlights, The Baltic Glass Gallery, required a new sophisticated lighting solution to highlight fine details while maintaining a sense of openness. The new Optec system, featuring spotlights and wide floods for track, optimized with anti-glare technology, was selected for this space.
"ERCO’s precision lighting allows us to highlight the tiniest details of our glass artefacts while ensuring that we protect them for future generations. After working at the museum for many years, I have discovered details I previously couldn’t see. The glass has truly been brought to life" says Kevin Brennan, Senior Mechanical and Electrical Manager, at the National Maritime Museum.
Atlantic Worlds Gallery
In the Atlantic Worlds Gallery, storytelling is paramount. Lighting Designers, DHA Designs created a dynamic lighting environment, to immerse visitors in the rich history of transatlantic exploration and trade. Optec spotlights were used to create focal points on critical artefacts, while the flexible track system allows the Museum to easily reconfigure the lighting for future exhibits. The lighting in this space is carefully controlled, focusing beams on specific displays to capture attention while leaving other areas softly lit to create a dynamic flow throughout the gallery.
DHA Designs, curated a sophisticated lighting design, which guides visitors on a visual journey through the gallery, reinforcing key themes of navigation and discovery. The lighting control system enables the Museum to fine-tune the light levels, ensuring each display is highlighted appropriately without overwhelming the visitor’s experience.
Working closely with the conservation team, a challenge in the Museum is to balance conservation with inclusive design and visibility. Light offers both form and function, leading visitors through the history of the seven seas, to providing a safe and inclusive environment for those with visual impairments, disabilities, child sensory needs or neurodivergent needs as well as conserving sensitive historical artefacts. Every detail of the exhibit and space has to be carefully curated to respond to any request at the touch of a button. Speaking with Maria Bastidas-Spence, former Preventive Conservator and IPM Coordinator, “Each exhibit is meticulously curated, with our operations teams, curators and of course, the conservation team, everyone has a role to play and a brief to fulfil. From display cases to the wider lighting, the luminaires must ensure optimal lux levels and heat restrictions. This conserves color pigments, natural materials and fabrics.”
Implementing a lighting system which adapts as the galleries evolve was crucial. ERCO’s track system provides flexibility and maintenance reduction. The space interchanges from one side to the other, with the main exhibition space, leading into a reading area for children and adults, to reflect on the history. This beautifully articulates the adaptability and the ability of light and showcases the future of design.
We needed lighting that could adapt as our exhibits change, Kevin commented. ERCO’s modular system ensures that we can evolve our displays without having to start from scratch every time.
All Hands Gallery – Children’s Sensory Area
Inclusive design was a key element in the lighting of the All Hands Gallery, a space tailored for children, including those with sensory sensitivities. DHA Designs, created a playful yet calming environment through soft, diffused lighting that encourages interaction without overwhelming young visitors. Here, the lighting shifts in intensity and warmth, creating a welcoming and engaging atmosphere. The dimmable feature allows the lighting to be adjusted according to the needs of different groups, making it a versatile space for all children, using Jilly downlights for track.
“Inclusive design was a priority, and our ERCO solutions support the Museum in catering to children of all abilities. The sensory space is both stimulating and comforting, which is exactly what was hoped for.”, Daniel LeMajic, Sales Director, ERCO Lighting UK & Ireland.
The Auditorium
The Museum’s auditorium needed versatile lighting capable of transforming the atmosphere based on the event type, from lectures to film screenings. Working with DHA Designs, ERCO installed Iku downlights featuring tunable white technology, allowing the Museum to change the color temperature depending on the use of the space. For educational presentations, cooler, brighter light is used to maintain clarity and focus, while warmer lighting is introduced for more relaxed events, such as movie screenings or evening lectures.
The lighting control system is integrated with Casambi, enabling the Museum team to easily adjust the lighting levels and color temperature through mobile devices or preset scenes. Alex Smith, former M&E Manager, The National Maritime Museum, liaised with museum stakeholders in setting up preset lighting scenes to curate an adaptable and future-proof space.
ERCO’s tunable white technology gives us the flexibility to adapt the auditorium lighting for any type of event. Whether it’s a bright, crisp atmosphere for a presentation or a soft, ambient glow for a film screening, we can make the change in seconds, said Kevin, highlighting the efficiency of the system.
Forgotten Fighters Gallery
In the Forgotten Fighters Gallery, which tells the stories of naval conflicts often overlooked, lighting was used to evoke a sense of solemnity and reflection. DHA Designs, employed ERCO's Optec oval flood luminaires, to create a soft, light drawing attention to the key areas without overpowering the sensitive nature of the subject matter. The lighting control system allows the Museum to dim the lighting during special remembrance events, adding to the emotional atmosphere.
The lighting’s uniformity across the gallery creates a calm, respectful atmosphere that supports the sensitive nature of the subject matter.
Conservation and Lighting Control
Conservation was a top priority for the Museum’s team. Working closely with DHA Designs and ERCO, they implemented strict controls on lux levels to protect the artefacts, many of which are highly sensitive to light exposure. The Casambi control system allows for precise dimming and the creation of tailored lighting scenes, ensuring that artefacts are safeguarded while still being beautifully illuminated.
We can now control the lighting down to the smallest detail, which is crucial for the conservation of our most delicate artefacts, explained the Museum’s conservation specialist.
The tunable white technology in various galleries, such as the Forgotten Fighters Gallery and the Auditorium, allows for adjustments to color temperature and intensity, depending on the time of day, exhibition requirements, or audience needs. This provides both flexibility and energy efficiency, as the museum can adjust the lighting to match visitor traffic or event schedules.
Bringing History to Life
The lighting design in the National Maritime Museum not only supports conservation efforts but also plays a vital role in bringing history to life. From the interactive children’s galleries to the solemn remembrance spaces, ERCO’s lighting creates an engaging atmosphere that enhances the visitor experience. DHA's carefully considered lighting design emphasizes the importance of storytelling, guiding visitors through the Museum in a way that feels intuitive and enriching.
"Lighting is not just about visibility. It’s about creating an atmosphere that draws people into the story," said Kevin, "ERCO’s expertise has allowed us to craft spaces where history truly comes alive."
Conclusion: A Future-Proof Partnership
The National Maritime Museum’s partnership with ERCO continues to be a successful collaboration, grounded in shared values of quality, inclusivity, flexibility, and sustainability. DHA Designs innovative lighting designs with ERCO’s future-proof solutions ensure that the Museum’s lighting can evolve with new exhibitions and technological advancements while maintaining the highest standards of conservation and inclusivity.
We chose ERCO because of their unwavering support and forward-thinking designs. Their commitment to helping us achieve our vision has been instrumental in creating a museum experience that speaks to all visitors, concluded Kevin. This relighting project highlights the critical role that lighting plays in museum design - not only for visibility but also for enhancing the emotional, educational, and conservation aspects of the museum experience. ERCO’s innovative solutions continue to support the National Maritime Museum in creating an engaging, inclusive, and future-ready space for all who visit.
Museums are a vital hub for people and communities, from an area of play for young children, a place of remembrance and reflection for the elderly to a safe space for all. Light has the ability to create inclusive spaces.
