Advanced Multichannel Lighting Control Systems in Heritage Environments: Case Study of the Cathedral of Seville

Abstract

The appropriate preservation and color rendering of paintings and art pieces are a pending subject in architectural heritage, since, in most of the cases, lighting systems are not really focused on the conservation and suitable perception of these heritage resources, due to the limitations of standard LED lamps and lighting configurations. In this context, a multichannel luminaire system is proposed in the case study of the Cathedral of Seville, providing a variable and rich spectral distribution, which allows an excellent color perception linked to the daylight conditions, while the short-wavelength light is minimized in order to reduce photodegradation. Two scenarios are addressed: Museum of the Cathedral and Evangelist Chapel. The multichannel luminaire system is tested by means of subjective surveys and objective procedures (Farnswoth-Munsell and Natural Color System tests). The results show that the proposed spectral distribution of the multichannel system provides a better color discrimination in comparison with typical lighting systems, as well as a better preservation, defining a suitable lighting technology for architectural heritage. The novelty of this study lies in the multi-parameter approach, taking care of color rendering while photodegradation is minimized.