Where Myth Meets Light — A Heritage Reimagined
Illuminating Asia Singapore is proud to announce its recognition at the prestigious darc awards, earning a place of distinction in the SPACES: Low Budget category for its evocative lighting design at Haw Par Villa, one of Singapore’s most storied heritage parks.
Commissioned by the Singapore Tourism Board, this national project set out to revive the spirit of Haw Par Villa, a site rich in oriental sculptures, folklore, and mythology, by reintroducing it to modern audiences through immersive lighting storytelling.
Originally built by the Tiger Balm family in the 1930s, Haw Par Villa had seen declining footfall in recent decades. Winning the design proposal, Illuminating Asia embarked on a mission to preserve the park’s heritage while using modern lighting technology to spark renewed curiosity.
At the heart of the design is a unique blend of traditional landscape lighting knowledge and contemporary projection mapping techniques. Upon entry, visitors are greeted by a captivating moving light show, drawing them into a multisensory journey. As they explore the grounds, a thoughtfully curated lighting path highlights key sculptures, each illuminated to tell its own timeless story.
The project posed a significant technical challenge: no physical alteration was permitted on any heritage structure. To overcome this, Illuminating Asia custom-engineered mechanical mounts and optical lenses, allowing for precise lighting placements without damage. Each sculpture, varying in form, material, expression, and colour, was carefully considered, requiring manual adjustments and layered lighting strategies to bring their characters and morals to life.
“This award represents not just design excellence, but a deep respect for culture and storytelling,” said the team at Illuminating Asia. “Our goal was simple yet powerful, to light up a piece of Singapore’s past, in a way that resonates with the future.”
Captured beautifully by photographer Bian Hee Kau, the Haw Par Villa project is a shining example of how light can become a bridge between generations, history, and innovation.
Read More:
https://darcawards.com/portfolio/haw-par-villa-singapore/