The editorial team of ek magazine selected ten architectural projects, featured in past print issues as well as on the ek website, where lighting plays a central role in shaping spatial experience. These examples highlight how strategic artificial light articulates form, emphasizes textures and creates atmospheres that enrich the architectural composition.
01. Residence in Nicosia | Eraclis Papachristou Architects
Lighting Design: Archtube
Annual Issue: Villas 2023

Incisions are few, and precise: one opening at the kitchen looks downwards; one light well at the end of the corridor accentuates a sculpture in space, and marks arrival. At the entrance prism, a vertical aperture is juxtaposed to the incision of the kitchen; as a result, each afternoon, a strip of light crosses through. Those elements are brought into a marked contrast with the other two faces of the volume, where the wall is expressed as absence. The shading device is also a mechanism, a filter in an environmental approach. The ample height of the spaces alludes to vernacular architecture, where the large air volume stabilizes interior temperature. The thermal mass of the walls adds to this effect. The tectonic shell of the project wraps this interior in an austere line, without any superficial gestures.
02. Residence in Sotogrande | Fran Silvestre Arquitectos
Lighting Design: Fran Silvestre Arquitectos
Annual Issue: Villas 2025

Throughout the day, sunlight washes across textured surfaces and natural materials, accentuating depth and shadow while reinforcing the continuity between interior and exterior spaces. During the evening, a carefully composed artificial lighting scheme takes over through discreet, indirect fixtures integrated into ceilings, walls and architectural details. Warm, low-intensity lighting highlights key spatial elements and circulation paths while maintaining a soft ambient glow that preserves the serene character of the residence, allowing the architecture and material palette to remain the focal point of the spatial experience.
03. Park Hyatt Hotel | Fender Katsalidis, ARUP, RSP Architects
Lighting Design: dpa Lighting Consultants

The lighting strategy strengthens the spatial hierarchy of the public areas. Feature lighting directs attention to architectural focal points, while softer ambient layers ensure visual comfort and reinforce the calm, refined character associated with the Park Hyatt brand. On Level 99, the Wellness Floor transitions from the openness of daylight-filled spaces to a tranquil and immersive retreat. A sequence of softly illuminated arches references the traditional Malaysian five-foot ways, guiding guests through the spa environment while generating a calm and contemplative atmosphere that evolves throughout the day.
04. Ilios Beach Club and Nalu Surf Club | Elastic Architects
Lighting Design: Archtube
ek Issue: 304 | January – February 2026

Natural lighting and cross ventilation are maximized, strengthening the connection between the space and the elements of wind and sun – essential aspects of the surfing experience. At the same time, a multilayered artificial lighting scheme highlights the curves and geometries of the architecture, emphasizing the spatial composition during nighttime hours. The material palette reinforces this sense of flow and continuity. Travertine, oak timber, teak and iroko, ribbed glass, sculptural details and finishes made from natural fibers create a warm and tactile environment. Through Ilios and Nalu, a unified architectural ensemble emerges, balancing flow and stillness. The result is a multisensory hospitality experience rooted in rhythm, equilibrium and the authenticity of surf culture.
05. Eleftheria Square in Nicosia | Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)
Lighting Design: Kardorff Lichtplanung
ek Issue: 265 | March 2022

Τhe lighting design reinforces the square’s fluid geometry and acts as a spatial guidance system during the evening hours. Linear lighting elements are discreetly integrated along the contours of the curved surfaces and bridges, emphasizing the dynamic morphology of the composition and enhancing the legibility of the structure within the urban landscape. At the same time, low-intensity lighting fixtures embedded within the paving create a subtle “field of light” that follows the geometry of the circulation paths and areas of pause. This approach highlights the plasticity of the concrete surfaces, enhances the sense of safety, and transforms the public space into a nocturnal landscape where light operates both functionally and atmospherically.
06. New Architectural Lighting for the Hellenic Parliament Building and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Lighting Design: Danilof Light+Perception
ek Issue: 291 | October 2024

In mid-July, the new architectural lighting installation for the Hellenic Parliament Building and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was completed, accompanied by the energy upgrade of the underground parking areas and the complex’s nursery facility. The new lighting design seeks to redefine the nocturnal presence of the building and its surrounding space, situating the intervention within a contemporary framework of environmental responsibility and sustainability. The new lighting scheme was implemented exclusively using advanced LED technology, with particular emphasis on chromatic consistency and precise control of the light sources. Each luminaire is digitally controlled in terms of both intensity and operating duration, allowing the creation of dynamic lighting scenarios with a high degree of accuracy.
07. Porcelain Factory Plugin Revival | People’s Architecture Office, Liu Kecheng Design Studio
Lighting Design: People’s Architecture Office

Carefully integrated lighting design plays a crucial role in reinforcing the pavilion’s architectural presence, particularly after sunset. Warm recessed luminaires embedded within the timber soffit of the roof evenly illuminate the glass envelope, transforming the pavilion into a softly glowing lantern within the historic courtyard. Inside, discreet linear and point lighting accentuate the brick core and the vivid orange circulation elements, highlighting the layered spatial composition while maintaining a restrained and atmospheric ambiance. The transparency of the façade allows interior light to spill into the surrounding public square, strengthening the visual connection between interior activity and the historic urban fabric.
08. The Wave Office Building | Tsolakis + Partners Architects
Lighting Design: Danilof Light+Perception
ek Issue: 280 | September 2023

The sense of movement created by the wave-like louvers is intensified by the interplay of light and shadow throughout the day. Continuous variations in illumination transform the appearance of the façade, giving it a shifting character that responds to the movement of the sun. During the evening hours, the building’s architectural identity is further emphasized through a permanent lighting installation designed specifically for each point, angle and element of the façade. A carefully calibrated sequence of subtle variations in white light runs along the building envelope, establishing a quiet dialogue with the city’s nocturnal landscape. Particular emphasis was placed on minimizing light pollution. The lighting fixtures are controlled through specialized systems that allow them to operate at very low luminance levels, thereby protecting the surrounding urban environment.
09. New Town Hall in Nicosia | Irwin Kritioti Architecture
Lighting Design: Archtube
ek Issue: 287 | May 2024

The artificial lighting scheme emphasizes clarity, orientation, and the public presence of the building within the city. Linear and recessed luminaires are carefully integrated into ceilings, circulation areas, and architectural elements, providing even illumination while preserving the clean architectural lines of the spaces. Externally, subtle façade lighting and the glow from the interior transform the town hall into a luminous urban landmark, reinforcing its role as an open and accessible civic institution within the historic center of Nicosia.
10. Element Office Buildings | RS Sparch
Lighting Design: Last | Lighting Architecture Studio
ek Issue: 270 | September 2022

The lighting design of the office building is conceived as an integral component of the architectural strategy, supporting both the workplace environment and the building’s contemporary identity within the urban fabric. Specifically, artificial lighting follows a restrained and highly integrated system of linear and recessed luminaires that emphasize clarity and spatial continuity. Even, glare-free illumination supports focused work while maintaining a calm and balanced atmosphere throughout the office interiors and shared spaces. At night, subtle exterior lighting accentuates the geometry of the façades and the transparency of the glazed surfaces, allowing the building to appear as a softly illuminated volume that contributes to the contemporary character of the business district.





