Curated by Light: Transforming Venues Through Customized Lighting Techniques

Every venue has its own unique architecture. Understanding how to highlight the natural beauty of a space is essential to creating the best possible atmosphere for an event. 

In every space, there are areas that should be highlighted and those that should be covered up. The key to this is looking out for the aspects that guests may not even consciously think about. Perfection is the desire for every event planner and client, and the power of lighting is to go above and beyond storytelling and aesthetics to make sure every minute detail is immaculate.

Areas to Highlight with Event Lighting

There's a reason why a space is specifically chosen for an event. Usually this is because the venue is already beautiful. The goal is to work with the architectural features of a venue, not against it. Highlighting these areas brings focus to the natural aesthetics of the space, and creates an interesting focal point for the guests.

Event lighting not only contributes to the storytelling and the aesthetic appeal of the event, but is used in a practical sense to guide guests. For example, in a gallery lighting should be used to guide guests through which rooms the client wants them to move through. Signage telling customers where restrooms are or where food stations are also need to be clearly lit.

Areas to Cover Up with Event Lighting

On the reverse side, there are always areas that clients would prefer guests not to pay attention to. These are often the little things that aren't necessarily thought about when discussing the creative vision. For example, a catering entrance needs to be well lit enough for staff, but not where guests' attention would go to.

Lighting should also be sure not to illuminate undesirable objects, such as trash cans or technical equipment.

The goal is to draw attention away from these small areas and really focus on what the client wants to highlight and what the event warrants. 

Venue Example: Boston Public Library

The Boston Public Library, being built in the late 1800s, has amazing architecture that looks especially beautiful when illuminated. As seen in the photo at the top of the blog, the ceiling in Bates Hall is a prime point where clients would want guests to pay attention to. Thus, the lighting reflects that. The production team at PORT are experts at making the most of a space, and used outdoor color lighting to make reflections of the window designs on the wall.

In a practical sense, the PORT Lighting team also made sure that hallways were illuminated with colorful lighting a way that guided guests through the building (as seen in the photo above).

Venue Example: MFA Shapiro Courtyard

The MFA's Shapiro Courtyard is a gorgeous and modern space. With tall marble walls, a white ceiling, floor to ceiling glass windows and a beautiful garden space outside, it is a great space for transformations.

From daytime to nighttime, there's a lot of opportunity with this space to truly paint the walls and the ceiling with a variety of different options, be it pattern, be it color, and to do so in a way that allows production to make sure that while the space itself is always going to be the same when you hold an event there. This lets for the venue to be unique to each event (weddings, galas, etc.).