Museum of Modern Art Belgrade, MoCAB, Belgrade, Serbia

Beauty in the spotlight

By Denise Close, Jean-Luc Wittersheim

Every museum has its own unique lighting challenges. The Museum of Modern Art in Belgrade (MoCAB) took advantage of an extensive structural makeover to integrate innovative lighting solutions that can satisfy varying artistic requirements and exhibition conditions.

Built in 1958, and closed for renovation from 2007 to 2017, the building took advantage of a completely redesigned display, with major lighting design to enhance both the building and the artwork within it. This refurbishment incorporated the most sophisticated contemporary approaches to museum technology while respecting the building’s original design.

The MoCAB building’s geometry posed a further challenge. The museum’s five floors vary in height, some with natural light from above and others without – all within a relatively small space.

“It’s always a major feat to properly illuminate a museum,” explained Dejan Todorovic, architect for the building renovation. “That’s why, in general, the best references for artificial lighting are found in museums.”

The specification focused on a contemporary lighting solution with the need for a wide range of light optics, angles and illuminations adapted to varying types of ambience and exposure.