2021 – ongoing project
Client: National Palaces Restoration Department, Istanbul
Exhibition Design: Guicciardini & Magni Architects
Lighting Design: Arch. Massimo Iarussi, with Marzia Bernardini and Serena Caponetti

The Kaftan Museum is located within the Topkapi Palace complex in Istanbul, in the Seferli dormitory. The environment is extremely suggestive for the proportions of the space and for the brick materials used in it. The exhibition aims to enhance the magnificence of the textile objects, which will be highlighted as if they were “lanterns”, which spread their light. The surrounding environment will remain in dim light, only enlivened by few “strokes of light” that will be the background to the exhibition.
The challenge of our lighting project is to restore the charm of these collections, combined with that of architecture, reconciling them with the limits of conservation. The charm of the place is increased by the numerous windows on all the walls, from some of which one can enjoy suggestive views of the Bosphor. The windows will be appropriately shielded to drastically reduce the entry of natural light, maintaining the relationship with the external environment. The shielding panels will be equipped with linear lights, which will give a grazing light effect on the window jambs and a backlight effect of the perforated part of the shielding.