Il Borgo Di Farfa

This project presents a site-specific lighting proposal for Il Borgo di Farfa, a historic hermetical village located in the Lazio region of Italy. Known for its Benedictine abbey and preserved medieval architecture, the village serves as a spiritual and cultural landmark. The goal of the design was to enhance the nocturnal experience of the village while preserving its atmosphere, reinforcing its historical identity, and strengthening its emotional connection to the community and visitors.



The concept draws from historical symbolism and the material character of the site, using a gradient of light color temperatures to create a narrative journey. Beginning at the entrance, warm lighting (3000K) invites visitors into the village, reinforcing a sense of welcome and communal gathering. As one moves toward the religious heart of the site—the church façade and bell tower—the lighting transitions to cooler, purer white tones (4000K), reflecting spirituality and sacredness.



Key architectural and natural elements are individually highlighted: the courtyard features a “mirror of water” installation with integrated lighting that reflects the church and sky, enhancing visual depth and symbolic meaning. Cypress trees in the adjacent park are lit with a dual-tone approach—warm tones on the trunk and cool tones on the canopy—referencing the legend of the Madonna’s appearance beside three cypresses, which inspired the abbey’s foundation.



Carefully selected luminaires from iGuzzini, Linea Light, and SIMES were integrated subtly into the architecture to preserve the historical integrity of the site. Fixtures were chosen for their precision optics, color consistency, and low environmental impact.



This project reflects a comprehensive approach to architectural lighting design—balancing technical precision, cultural storytelling, and sensitivity to heritage preservation within a living historic context.