Praça Diogo de Menezes

Praça Diogo de Menezes is a bold project as its success questions current lighting standards and regulations. The square presents itself bare of columns with minimal ground illuminance by restricting all operational lighting to the vertical surfaces of the fort wall. The bright vertical surfaces ensure a sense of safety by clearly defining the spatial boundaries of the square. The linear LED ingrounds replicate an ancient Portuguese sailing chart. This visual feature provides guidance and direction to the users.  The colourful glass lift shaft provides the square with a playfulness that refreshes the feel of the old fort wall. The project was shortlisted for the Mies Van Der Rohe 2011 Award through the architecture studio Miguel Arruda & Associados. Philip Rafael was the lead designer and managed this project as part of his work as Senior Lighting Designer at Donker.