Constrains of lighting design and installation in complex spaces: A case study of lighting in Nepalese Heritage Sites

With the advancement in technology and rapid performance of low heat emitting light sources LED in recent years has taken its place to illuminate various structures. A significant lighting intervention is seen in the historic sites that were previously left without any illumination schemes in Nepal. Illuminating a cultural and heritage site is a very difficult task where different aspects have to be analyzed and several considerations have to be made to achieve a feasible and sustainable lighting scheme. Historical buildings in Nepal are made of bricks and wooden frames to which integrating a modern lighting system is difficult. This paper presents the aspects, considerations and lighting simulation schemes to design a lighting scheme for a historic site in Kathmandu Valley. The lighting is being implemented in the site being restored. This paper also presents the practicability of installations and constraints during the lighting of historic sites in Nepal. The aspect and considerations taken are extensible to all similar cultural heritage sites, and also existing old buildings.