Lighting at the Santa Bárbara Palace – Madrid
Introduction
To mark the ART IN PLACE 2025 fair, the iconic Palacio de Santa Bárbara, located in the heart of Madrid, is illuminated by lighting designed by Roblan. Built in 1866 by architect Juan de Madrazo y Kuntz, this Rationalist-style building with Gothic influences has become a unique venue for hosting art and design exhibitions. In early October 2025, its 450 m² of space, spread across six rooms, hosted the second edition of ART IN PLACE, an event that brings together painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, furniture, and much more, with paper taking center stage.
Project Description
Lighting for historic buildings and exhibition spaces requires a technical and specialized approach. The proper selection of color temperature, the direction of the spotlights, and the adjustment of light intensity not only enhance the architectural beauty but also influence the perception of the works and contribute to their preservation and energy efficiency.
As María Hernández, project coordinator at Roblan, explains:
“First, a lighting study must be conducted to determine the required intensity at each point and thus prevent glare and shadows.”
Likewise, choosing the right color temperature is key to highlighting architectural details. A warm tone (3000K) creates a cozy atmosphere, while RGBW solutions allow for dynamic effects and a wide range of programmable colors. The direction and angle of the light create patterns of shadows and highlight materials, and dimming adjusts the light to different times of day, optimizing energy consumption.
Solutions Used
For outdoor lighting, the following was used:
-
ABELLA Projector
-
ADOQ Wall-Mounted Showers
These products, featuring LED technology and high-precision optics, ensure uniform, glare-free lighting that elegantly highlights original materials and textures. In addition, other solutions were integrated to complete the decorative lighting: GUIRNALDAS, Z SUAL, GACR SPIKE, Z ALCY, Z VIND, and Z ALPH. In showrooms: ADOQ, highlighting specific works and creating a warm, immersive atmosphere.
A key consideration has been to protect the integrity of the palace by avoiding drilling, permanent fasteners, or invasive installations, thereby ensuring the preservation of this historic heritage while highlighting its beauty through the use of light.
Conclusion
The lighting project for the Palacio de Santa Bárbara reflects Roblan’s ability to combine technical expertise, aesthetics, and respect for historical heritage. Every detail has been carefully considered to highlight the architecture, enhance the exhibits, and create a unique visual experience, demonstrating once again Roblan’s commitment to quality, innovation, and excellence in lighting unique spaces.
