Header: Marko Mihaljevic
Architectural lighting studio Skira, known for using “the invisible to benefit your well-being,” recently tackled a project that envisioned the enhancement of the people of Zagreb through light and art. The project involved renovating six underpasses, each located at critical points in the city, that were barely used by the public due to their degradation and lack of sunlight. To improve the safety and comfort of pedestrians, Skira ended up finding the perfect solution: a custom-made lighting system inspired by the works of artists Piet Mondrian and Julije Knifer.
Each underpass was redesigned with a specific artistic theme in mind, and each lighting fixture was custom-designed, which required a tight collaboration between Skira and manufacturers to ensure that all elements fit the needs of each individual underpass. With both sustainability and longevity covered, the underpasses are all equipped with energy-efficient control systems and occupancy sensors that will ensure that art will keep shining in these environments for years to come.
Inspired by Mondrian, the underpasses became pieces of abstract art. Each of the lighting panels that cover the ceilings is covered in black lines, delimiting the existence of vivid primary colours and white, a composition that provides both security through illumination and artistic appeal. Now, pedestrians don’t fear walking through these passages, as they know they’ll be surrounded by colours, sleek lines, and light.
The project was part of a broader urban renewal effort, addressing the functional needs of a city that had seen parts of itself slowly degrade with no tools to use against this fate. With the help of the European Union, the project was finished, and the feedback couldn’t be better: the spaces are now perceived as safer and more welcoming.
