The illumination of our urban environment shapes its atmosphere and influences how we interact with it. A well-lit space can feel inviting, while dim lighting may evoke a sense of melancholy. Recognizing the significant role lighting plays in shaping perceptions, Lighting Detectives was formed to explore and analyze lighting culture.
Dedicated to assessing the current state of urban lighting, the group conducts fieldwork and community initiatives to observe how light is integrated into cityscapes. For their installation, fabric panels suspended from the ceiling chronicle the history of lighting in Singapore, based on the group’s research. These panels rise and descend at regular intervals, alternately revealing and concealing lighting fixtures. This dynamic display is designed to spark curiosity—an essential quality in the Lighting Detectives’ approach. A table surface provides a comprehensive overview of the group’s public engagement activities in Singapore, reflecting their investigative spirit.
Lighting Detectives is an initiative by Lighting Planners Associates (LPA), a leading lighting consultancy founded in 1990 by Kaoru Mende. LPA specializes in designing exceptional lighting environments that enhance architectural spaces and lighting culture. Established in 2000, the Singapore office has contributed to projects such as the Lighting Masterplan for Singapore City Centre, National Gallery, Gardens by the Bay, Victoria Concert Hall, Chijmes renovation, and the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, shaping the city’s distinctive nightscape.
