Museum
Illuminating Legacy:
Lighting Design for the Little Museum of Dublin
Bespoke lighting design for the Little Museum of Dublin's landmark €4.3 million transformation — where a protected Georgian townhouse meets a world-class contemporary museum.
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Completion
2025
Category
Museum
Little Museum of Dublin
Client
The Challenge
The Little Museum of Dublin's ambitious €4.3 million refurbishment set a uniquely complex brief. Located in a protected Georgian townhouse on St. Stephen's Green — already ranked #14 among Europe's top 25 attractions on TripAdvisor — the museum had even greater ambitions: a world-class cultural destination with expanded exhibition spaces, a new reception, improved accessibility, and a contemporary visitor experience unlike any other in Ireland.
For Light & Design, the challenge was navigating the significant tension between those ambitions and the building's protected status. Conservation requirements and strict architectural standards had to be fully respected across every element of the lighting design, while simultaneously supporting a bold, sustainable, and immersive reimagining of the museum's spaces.
Maintaining conservation and architectural compliance within a protected Georgian building
Delivering a wide range of solutions, from technical architectural systems to bespoke decorative chandeliers
Supporting newly expanded and reimagined exhibition spaces, a new reception, and accessible entrances
Balancing the museum's historical character with a contemporary, sustainable brief
Our Objectives
Light & Design was invited to join the project team delivering this landmark project, providing lighting design and consultancy services from concept through to on-site delivery. Working closely alongside conservation architects Deaton Lysaght, specialist contractors, and the client, our objectives were clear:
✓ Honour the building's Georgian heritage and conservation requirements at every stage
✓ Create a lighting scheme that elevates the visitor experience across all reimagined museum spaces
✓ Specify and supply the full lighting package — from technical architectural systems to bespoke cut-glass chandeliers
✓ Deliver sustainable, visually compelling solutions tailored to the museum's long-term needs
Our Process
A collaborative approach from conservation-led design to on-site delivery.
01
We joined the project team at an early stage alongside conservation architects Deaton Lysaght. We undertook a detailed assessment of the Georgian townhouse to understand the building's conservation constraints, its architectural character, and the museum's vision for the transformed spaces.
Initial Assessment
Key Deliverables:
Site survey of the Georgian townhouse
Conservation constraints review
Client brief documentation
Preliminary lighting concept
02
Design Development
Our team developed a comprehensive lighting strategy spanning the full scope of the renovation — from technical architectural lighting systems throughout the building to bespoke cut-glass decorative chandeliers. Every proposal was developed with the building's heritage status and the client's contemporary vision held in equal balance.
Key Deliverables:
Architectural lighting layouts
Decorative fixture concepts (including chandelier design)
Lighting specifications for exhibition spaces
Sustainable systems strategy
03
Client Review & Refinement
Given the complexity of working within a protected building, close collaboration with the wider team was essential. We worked iteratively with the design team, contractors, and the client to ensure our lighting proposals met both conservation standards and the museum's ambitions at every stage of the process.
Key Deliverables:
Design team coordination with Deaton Lysaght
Final approval
Contractor briefings
Approved final lighting scheme
04
Specification & Procurement
We took responsibility for the specification and supply of the complete lighting package. Our scope ranged from architectural systems to individually crafted decorative fittings, all sourced to meet the project's exacting standards for quality, sustainability, and conservation compliance.
Key Deliverables:
Full fixture schedule (architectural + decorative)
Bespoke cut-glass chandelier procurement
Technical architectural lighting systems sourcing
Supply coordination with contractors
05
On-Site Delivery
Our team worked on-site throughout the installation phase, coordinating closely with specialist contractors and the wider project team. The nature of the protected Georgian building demanded meticulous care at every step to ensure all work met the required conservation and architectural standards.
Key Deliverables:
Installation of architectural lighting systems
Chandelier installation
Contractor coordination on-site
Daily progress updates
06
Handover & Long-Term Support
The completed lighting scheme supports the Little Museum of Dublin's vision for a world-class cultural destination. Our solutions were designed to be sustainable, energy-efficient, and straightforward for the museum's team to manage — built for the long term, not just the opening.
Key Deliverables:
System testing and commissioning
Client handover documentation
Operational guidance for museum staff
Long-term maintenance recommendations
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Heritage-Sensitive Design
Every lighting decision was made with the building's Georgian character and conservation status in mind — from discreet architectural systems to bespoke cut-glass chandeliers that complement the original fabric of the townhouse.
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Full Team Collaboration
Light & Design worked closely with conservation architects Deaton Lysaght, specialist contractors, and the client from design concept through to on-site delivery — a genuinely integrated project approach.
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Built for the Long Term
Our solutions combine creativity with practical expertise. Every element was specified to be visually compelling, energy-efficient, and easy for the museum's team to manage well into the future.
Design Details
A closer look at key spaces and their custom lighting solutions
Reception & Public Areas
The new reception area and newly accessible basement entrance required lighting that felt welcoming and contemporary while sitting comfortably within the historic building. Layered solutions balance ambient, task, and accent lighting to support the visitor journey from arrival through to the galleries.
Exhibition Spaces
The museum's expanded and reimagined exhibition spaces were at the heart of the lighting brief. Architectural lighting systems were carefully integrated to showcase the museum's collection of Dublin artefacts without compromising the character of the Georgian interiors. Key priorities included flexibility for changing displays, accurate colour rendering, and minimal visual intrusion.
Decorative Chandeliers
Among the most distinctive elements of the scheme, the bespoke cut-glass chandeliers were specified and supplied by Light & Design as a centrepiece of the interior. Designed to complement the Georgian architectural heritage of the townhouse, they bring a sense of occasion and craftsmanship that reflects the museum's ambition for a world-class cultural experience.
Professional Installation
Light & Design's involvement extended well beyond the drawing board. Our team was present on-site throughout the delivery phase, working hand-in-hand with conservation architects Deaton Lysaght and specialist contractors to navigate the significant technical and logistical challenges that come with renovating a protected Georgian building. From careful coordination of architectural systems to the installation of bespoke decorative fittings, every element was executed with the sensitivity and precision the building demands. The result is a lighting scheme that brings the Little Museum of Dublin's ambitious vision to life — and ensures a truly world-class experience for every visitor who walks through the door.
