Educational lighting is now a design tool capable of directly influencing the quality of school spaces and the everyday experience of those who inhabit them. The refurbishment of the Ada Negri Lower Secondary School in Bolzano stems precisely from this awareness: reconsidering light as an integral part of architecture, serving learning, wellbeing and interaction. The intervention forms part of a broader regeneration process of the school building, where each environment has been interpreted according to the activities it hosts. Light does not merely accompany the space; it reinforces its identity, helping to create settings that are more legible, comfortable and consistent with contemporary educational models.

In the classrooms, the lighting design prioritised uniform light distribution, glare control and high colour rendering, all essential elements to support concentration and visual comfort during study hours. The linear GROOVE systems respond to these requirements with continuous, balanced and modular light, capable of adapting to the geometry of the spaces and to future teaching reconfigurations, while maintaining a discreet and orderly formal language.


In shared spaces and circulation areas, lighting also takes on a functional and wayfinding role. The bi-emission EUROSTANDARD PLUS TRACK DALI H tracks, integrated with multiple TERES spotlights, allow flexible management of light points, enhancing circulation routes and ensuring a coherent light distribution. The integration of REM track-mounted emergency sensors makes it possible to combine safety, visual continuity and regulatory compliance, without compromising the clarity of the overall design.
The school canteen is conceived as a space for social interaction and breaks, where light helps to define a welcoming and recognisable atmosphere. The compositions of the modular PHORMA system, developed through curvilinear and continuous geometries, introduce a luminous gesture that engages in dialogue with the architecture, transforming lighting into a measured scenographic element, capable of characterising the space without excess.
In the sports hall, above the playing court, lighting meets specific performance requirements. ERGO luminaires ensure appropriate light levels, uniformity and long-term reliability, supporting sporting activities with stable and comfortable light, designed for large-scale spaces and intensive use. Along the sides of the sports hall, BEN luminaires in different diameters have been installed as visual and architectural accompaniment elements. The suspended fittings are presented in an articulated colour palette that introduces rhythm and identity to the space: fire red RAL 3000, yellow-orange RAL 2000, beige RAL 1001 and white, combined with cooler, more natural tones such as pastel blue RAL 5024, sky blue RAL 5015, pale green RAL 6021 and fern green RAL 6025. Colour thus becomes an integral part of the lighting concept, helping to make the sports hall a recognisable, dynamic space consistent with its educational context.

The entire project is based on an approach focused on energy efficiency and sustainability. The use of LED technology, modular systems and lighting control solutions enables a reduction in energy consumption and operating costs, contributing to a responsible vision for the refurbishment of school buildings. In this context, educational lighting becomes a long-term investment, capable of enhancing spatial quality and the wellbeing of students and teachers. The lighting design for the Ada Negri Lower Secondary School was developed in collaboration with Selectra, with the shared objective of creating school environments that are functional, recognisable and aligned with the needs of contemporary education.

CREDITS
Project: Ada Negri Secondary School
Partner: Selectra
Year: 2025
Location: Bolzano, Italy