Architectural Lighting in Merida, Mexico brings Together Past and Present at historic Pasaje de la Revolución
April 8, 2024
A storied past
The Pasaje de la Revolución in Merida, Mexico, has seen many transformations over its storied history. Originally an annex between the Archbishop’s Palace and the Cathedral, it housed troops in the early 20th century. Eventually the space was opened up in 1916, creating a pedestrian walkway that continues today.
Designed in a French architectural style, the Pasaje de la Revolución features two arches and a roof with an iron and glass structure. The roof collapsed in the 1940s and the passage came into disrepair. Merida City Hall began a rejuvenation in 2001, restoring the arches to their former glory and introducing the Fundación Cultural Macay A.C. (Macay AC Cultural Foundation) to the site. Macay utilizes the space to exhibit sculptural works by renowned Mexican and foreign artists, where more than 6,000 people pass daily.
An opportunity for revitalization
In 2011, the Merida municipal and state authorities replaced the roof’s glass framework, restoring it to its original look and feel. And while the lighting had also been updated to LEDs at some point, several of the original 232 fixtures had been removed, and the passage simply lacked vibrancy at night.
So the City of Merida hired local lighting design firm Aqualux to develop a lighting scheme with three specific objectives:
- revitalize the passageway for locals and visitors
- introduce a lighting control system to enable the Macay team to manage light levels and colors as exhibits evolved,
- automate the dimming and switching of lighting to improve energy efficiency.
In conjunction with the 481st anniversary of the founding of Merida, the historic Pasaje de la Revolución unveiled its stunning lighting transformation with luminaires by Hydrel.
An architectural lighting transformation
Raymundo Estrella Segovia, senior lighting designer and managing director at Aqualux, selected SAF7 and SAF1 static white architectural floodlights, and Hyline501 RGBW linear luminaires to dramatically enhance the passage’s architectural features and spotlight the various sculptures and artwork in the evening hours.
A 2700K color temperature was selected to blanket the top of the corridor with warm light, creating space and making the passageway more inviting. RGBW linear lighting was selected to create ambience, helping to set the mood while SAF7 static white, at 3000K, provides clean, clear lighting for specific artistic works. A breakdown of the lighting design specifications is below.
Main Corridor:
- Thirty-six SAF7 Static White floodlights, with a color temperature of 2700K and a 70° distribution. These luminaires illuminate the architectural elements on the cornices.
- Thirty-six SAF7 RGBW Floodlights with 10° distribution to light the main beam of the roof structure.
- Twenty-four SAF7 Static White floodlights, with a color temperature of 3000k and a 40° distribution, for lighting the specific artistic works.
- Seventy-six HYLINE501 RGBW linear luminaires, 30°x60° distribution, in 4-foot lengths for rooftop lighting.
- Fifty-six HYLINE501 Amber Wavelength linear luminaires, 15°x30° distribution, in 2-foot lengths for balcony lighting on the facade of the Macay Museum.
Exterior façade and interior of the corridor facing Calle 58:
- Eight HYLINE501 linear luminaires, warm 2700k color temperature, 15°x30° distribution, in 2-foot lengths
- Eight HYLINE501 linear luminaires, warm 2700k color temperature, 10°x60° distribution, in 2-foot lengths
- Eight HYLINE501 linear luminaires, warm 2700k color temperature, 30°x60° distribution, in 4-foot lengths
- Two SAF1 Static White SAF1 floodlights, warm 2700k color temperature, with a 15° distribution
Facade and interior of the arch on Calle 60:
- Eight HYLINE501 linear luminaires, warm 2700K color temperature, 15°x30° distribution, in 2-foot lengths
- Ten HYLINE501 linear luminaires, warm 2700K color temperature, 30°x60° distribution, in 4-foot lengths
An historic icon with a vibrant new outlook
Pasaje de la Revolución has become a captivating, vibrant and interesting attraction for Merida residents as well as tourists. The Hydrel illumination is an attraction unto itself, putting the focus on the stunning architecture as well the Macay temporary installations. Macay employees have the versatility to manage the lighting levels with the introduction of each new art exhibit. There are even opportunities to create
specific lighting scenes to enhance the installation. And last but not least, the City of Merida has a fully automated and energy efficient lighting solution for its iconic attraction.
PROJECT NAME: Pasaje de la Revolución
LOCATION: Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
PROJECT COMPLETION: January 2023
LIGHTING DESIGNER: Aqualux
PHOTOGRAPHY: Paul Cz
More information available here
