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WORKSHOP
ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTNING DESIGN WORKSHOP 17.-25.10.2026
This practical and public workshop focuses on designing spatial, aesthetic, and functional
lighting in natural environments. Participants will work in small
groups, develop lighting design concepts, test ideas in the dark, and
build real lighting solutions that remain on display for the audience. Suitable
for architects, landscape architects, lighting specialists, and students looking
to expand their toolkit in lighting design.
What you will learn:
- Fundamentals of lighting: lighting metrics, color temperature, optics.
- Impact of lighting on space, materials, and humans; visual hierarchy and
focal points.
- Necessity and disturbances of lighting — for whom and when light is needed, and
how light at the wrong time or place can cause disturbance.
- From concept to execution: creation and realization of ideas.
- Teamwork: communication, schedule, division of tasks.
WORKSHOP LEADERS
Marko draws inspiration from natural light and nature, which is strongly reflected in his work. He is a co-founder of the Estonian Association of Lighting Designers (EVDA) and a guest lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Arts and TTK University of Applied Sciences, where he teaches architectural lighting design. He is also a member of the EVS/TK 24 Technical Committee for Light and Lighting.
Valeria Yadgar, MA (Ukraine)
Architect and Lighting Designer at Conceptual LD (Spain)
Valeria possesses deep expertise in DIALux evo and brings over 7 years of professional experience in architectural lighting. She currently works as a lighting designer within her own practice.
WORKSHOP`S
TIME AND PLACE
17 – 25/10/2026
University of Tartu Botanical Garden / Tartu, Lai 38
WORKSHOP`S
ACTIVITIES
PARTICIPATION IN LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
Workshop leaders will provide an overview of the full process and share insights into the latest industry trends.
COMPOSITION OF SITE-SPECIFIC ANALYSIS
Investigating and analyzing the location and history of workshop objects both during the day and at night to gain an in-depth understanding of the location and its context.
CREATING A CONCEPT
With the help of a supervisor, creative collaboration is carried out to develop lighting design concepts.
CREATING AND TESTING PROTOTYPES
Sketches and prototypes are created, different materials and lighting solutions are tested to bring their ideas to life.
CONSTRUCTION OF INSTALLATIONS
Full-scale lighting solutions for the urban space will be built at the selected location.
PARTICIPATING IN GROUP DISCUSSIONS
Participate in critical discussions with peers and supervisor, receiving constructive feedback to improve your work
PUBLIC ATTENTION
The lighting design installation completed in the workshop will be presented to a wider audience on the TAVA26 light trail.
SCHEDULE
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE AND PARTICIPATION
Töötuba toimub 17.-25.10.2026.
- 17.10 SATURDAY
- 18.10 SUNDAY
- 19.10 MONDAY
- 20.10 TUESDAY
- 21.10 WEDNESDAY
- 22.10 THURSDAY
- 22.10-24.10
- 25.10 SUNDAY
━ Arrival in Tartu
━ Gathering at 19:00: Detailed overview of the site’s historical, cultural, and urban context.
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. On-site visit to understand the existing lighting and identify potential challenges and opportunities.
━ Team formation and first brainstorming session.
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Evening: testing the equipment
━ Presentation of concepts and team discussions.
━ Feedback from instructors.
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Evening: creating and on-site testing of prototypes.
━ Handing out cables and checking site safety and security.
━ Teams begin building the lighting solutions.
━ Instructor feedback and programming.
━ Evening: construction of installations
━ On-site installation works.
━ Evening: official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event. Evening: final touches and preview (including presentations).
━ Installation work and final touches.
━ Walkthrough and final review by the instructors.
━ Evening: Official opening of TAVA26. Celebrations and networking event.
━ Public exhibition
━ Dismantling, disassembly, and packing
SIGN UP
HOW TO SIGN UP?
Workshop prices:
We welcome participants from diverse backgrounds, including both students and professionals. Selection is based on a short motivation letter. Maximum group size is 20 participants. Universities can integrate the workshop into their academic programs.
Student (with certificate)
50€
An adult
150€
Supporter's ticket
450€
*VAT will be added for VAT registered persons. Workshop participants have the right to free access to the Biennale area and concerts.
To register for the workshop, please fill out the form.
Additional information
Marko Kuusik
IALD Lighting Design Workshop Instructor
Tel: +372 5666 7991
Elo Liiv
Chief Curator of TAVA26
Tel: +372 5698 4477
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