The illuminated architecture examples illustrate the experiential effect of lighting. The lit-up structures, interiors and art installations aim to ignite the senses and are all great examples of sensory design.
Whether leading their visitor through a fantastical and conceptual environment or changing the image of an industrial environment, lighting has the power to transform one's perception of their environment.
Memorable examples from this list of illuminated architecture finds include Montreal's La Vitrine Culturelle building and Erick van Egeraat's redesign of the Incineration Line energy plant. While La Vitrine Culturelle's color-changing facade brings life to a quiet street corner, the Incineration Line's illuminated exterior adds warmth and charm to an otherwise industrial building.
Though seemingly ordinary, each of these buildings are transformed with life, becoming instant landmark spots within their communities.
49 Illuminated Architecture Examples
From Pulsing Light Facades to Interactive LED Installations:
Jana Pijak — Sep 10, 2014 — Art & Design
49
Marine Invertebrate Installations
Jelly Swarm by Tangible Interaction Teaches About the Sea
48
Led-Lit Libraries
The Castro Leal Library Uses Diode Lighting
47
LED Latticed Nightclubs
Club NOX is a Study in Beats and Badass Brazilian Basket-Weaving
46
Illuminated Origami Installations
London's Canary Wharf Hosts Thousands of Floating Lights
45
Multihued Illuminated Sculptures
This Solar-Powered Interactive Sculpture Benefitted Indian Slums
44
Illuminated Cube Installations
Oyler Wu Collaboration Made this Installation for Beijing Biennale
43
Illuminated Luminariums
The EXXOPOLIS Luminarium is an Exhibition of Inflatable Domes
42
Innumerable Globe Installations
The Dome by Hector Serrano Provided Visual Spectacle at Coachella
41
Tonal Technicolor Installations
The Light Show at Hayward Gallery Exhibits Illustrious Art Pieces
40
Vibrant Illuminated Apartments
A.A. Studio Creates Creatively Coloured Blanche Living Space
39
Blue-Hued Seafaring Pavilions
Joana Vasconcelos' Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2013 is Surreal
38
Illuminated Grass Installations
The GS Caltex Pavilion at EXPO 2012 is Dynamically Designed
37
Sci-Fi Pool Pavilions
The Aquarena Aqua Leisure Center Embodies its Futuristic Inspiration
36
Infinite LED Installations
Prism Design Creates the Infinity Bamboo Forest
35
Giant Festive Illuminations
Christmas Lights Berlin by Brut Deluxe Brings Holiday Cheer
34
Trippy Wall Art
The 'LMK' Light Installation Takes You Into a Trance
33
Foot-Powerd Transit Shelters
This Detroit LED Bus Stop Generates Energy from Pedestrian Pacing
32
LED Honeycomb Structures
Chris Knapp's Cellular Tessellation Installation is Fuelled by Geometry
31
Illuminated Structure Captures
This Collection of Bridges at Night by Cuded is Marvelous
30
Neon Pharmacies
Buj+Colon Arquitectos Designs Illuminated Drug Store in Spain
29
Illuminated Walls
Patterned LED Bottle Wall by Alex Beim Adds Colorful Ambiance
28
Futuristic Illumination Installations
The Luminous Field by Luftwerk Takes on a Sci-Fi Inspiration
27
Futuristic Ski Resorts
The W Hotel is a Swiss Ski Resort Filled with Flashy Modern Fixtures
26
Sustainably Illuminated Art
The Water Light Graffiti Installation is Responsibly Innovative
25
Projected Facade Architecture
The Caixaforum by Carme Pinos Boasts a Visually Vivid Design
24
Color-Changeing LED Architecture
The La Vitrine Culturelle Embodies an Urban Spirit
23
Illuminated Industrial Architecture
Erick van Egeraat's Incineration Line is a Roskilde Landmark
22
Meticulously Lit Architecture
The Villa Noord-Brabant is Illuminated with Precision
21
Eccentric Luminous Glass Art
Excentrique by Daniel Buren Makes the World a Little More Colorful
20
Futuristic Fuchsia-Blast Aviators
Virgin Atlantic Airways Gets a Touch of Chic by VW + BS Studio
19
Illuminated Aquatic Exhibits
The Greenpeace Expo by De Organisatie Promotes Marine Reserves
18
Illuminated Kaleidoscopic Mosques
The Nasir Al-Molk Mosque is Illuminated with Color Every Morning
17
Uplifting Children's Health Centres
The Royal London Hospital Morag Myerscough Room is Playful
16
Artistic LED-Lit Tunnels
The Light Lab Installs a Modern Tunnel at King's Cross
15
Competition-Based Light Installations
Lightbattle Invites People to Create Light Through Cycling
14
Reworked Silo Lighthouses
A Finnish Design Team Has Made a Cool Lighthouse Out of a Forgotten Silo
13
Illuminated Atomic Pavilions
SOL Dome is a Remarkably Lightweight Structure that Alights at Night
12
Illuminated Micro Bubbles
'Soho Snog' Light Installation in London Frozen Yogurt Shop
11
Patterned Triangle Architecture
DABURA Builds the Sankakudzukushi in Japan
10
Pulsing Light Walls
Acrylicize's Mosaic Installation Features Color Changing Lights
9
Illuminated Water Towers
Brunce Munro Gives Salisbury Cathedral a Luminous Makeover
8
Illuminated Empty Obelisks
The Tower of Ring by EASTERN Design Office is a Shining Monument
7
Illuminated Vortex Installations
The Daydream V.2 by Nonotak Studio is Utterly Mesmerizing
6
Illuminated Sphere Cloud Sculptures
WHITEvoid's 'Fluidic' Immerses Crowds in a Laser-Fueled Show
5
Illuminated Cacti Art
'The Ark' by Romain Tardy Turns Cacti into an Epic Light Installation
4
Enchanted Forest Installations
Moment Factory Presents the Foresta Lumina in Quebec
3
Electric Illumination Installations
Marshmallow Laser Feast Creates a Forest Made of Laser Beams
2
Dance-Powered Installations
A Pyramid at Nuits Sonores Translated Movement to Light
1
Massive Puzzle Block Buildings
The Ars Electronic Building is a Playable Rubiks Cube
Related Ideas
Ultra-Modern Apartment Designs
No Architects Created a Multi-Functional Modern Apartment
Venetian-Inspired Museum Designs
The Conceptual Floating Glass Museum is AI-Generated
Rippling Aquatic Light Fixtures
The 'Pulse' Lights Mimic the Appearance of Movement on Water
Glowing Tubular Light Fixtures
The 'Array' Lighting Has an Unconventional and Subtle Form
Elegant Geometric Light Fixtures
Theodora Alfredsdottir Designs the Composition Lights
Greenery-Sheathed Architecture Offices
This Building Will House the Offices Of 'VTN Architects'
Plant-Filled Latticed Buildings
Wallflower Architecture + Design Creates the Touching Eden House
Glass-Reflective Illuminated Homes
The Invisible House is Detailed with Flos Lighting Systems
Toronto Film Exhibitions
Imposter Cities Exhibition Explores Architecture & Cinematic Authenticity
Future Building Material Exhibitions
The Farrell Centre Debuts Its Inaugural Exhibition
Immersive Solar-Powered Installations
Marjan van Aubel & Lexus Unveil the 8 Minutes and 20 Seconds
Elegant Restaurant Interiors
Studio KO Celebrates Moroccan Culture in Sahbi Sahbi Interior Project
Supermarket-Style Pavilions
Venice Architecture Biennale's Latvian Pavilion Has a Familiar Form
Cactus-Inspired Urban Skyscrapers
This Danish Skyscraper Features a Spiky Facade Design
Experiential Entertainment Spaces
Illuminarium is Set to Open in Toronto's Distillery District
Futuristic Auto Micro Factories
Most Architecture Unveils a Modern Factory for Charge Cars
Public-Oriented Furniture Exhibits
Furnishing Utopia's Jean Lee Displays Furniture for Public Use
Nostalgic Light Installations
Toronto's Illuminarium is Launching 'LITE-BRITE: Worlds of Wonder'
Colourful Ambient Lamp Designs
The Neon Crystal Cube by ZK Wong Combines Art and Utility
Traditional Tower-Inspired Lamps
The 'Pagoda Lamp' Takes After Pagodas for a Thoughtful Form
Contemporary All-White Homes
BHY Arquitectos Design a Stunning All-White Residence in Argentina
Rurally-Inspired City Buildings
The 'Ziel' High-Rise Building Brings the Country to the Cityscape
Retrospective Multisensory Installations
Cointreau's Experiential Townhouse Shares Brand Heritage
Volcanic Lighting Installations
davidpompa Explores the Origins of Its Ambra Toba Collection
Psychedelic Sculptural Art Installations
The Frank Stella: Recent Sculpture Exhibition Opens in NY
Colorfully Immersive Retail Experiences
Al-Jawad Pike Designs a Athletic Propulsion Labs Store
Cave-Inspired Installations
Cave Bureau Design an Installation for Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Japanese Inn-Inspired Apartments
Intheory Design Creates an Apartment Inspired by Ryokan
Beautifully Sculptural Concrete Museums
Qatar Museums Unveils Official Images of the Lusail Museum
Tactile Fashion Boutique Designs
FOG Architecture Designs a New Xiaozhuo Store Location
Integrated Garden Designs
Ludwig Godefroy Champions "Habitable Gardens" in Mexico
Immersive Lighting Installations
Occhio Spotlights Innovation & Imagination with New Installation
Intricate Lighting Sculptures
Objects of Common Interest Creates the Lights on Installation
Staged Room Design Projects
Tekla Evelina Severin Presents the Dimensions of Colour Project
Vibrant Multi-Level Office Designs
Gensler Reimagines the Accenture Office Space in Chicago
Glowing Tree-Surrounded Sheds
The 'Nightlight' Shed Glows After Dark for a Luminous Appearance
Orb Lighting Installations
Teamlab's Mangrove Island is an Innovative Display of Lights and Color
Concept-Driven Public Art Installations
Ivan Toth Depeña Unveils Photon/s in Downtown Charlotte
Blown Glass-Inspired Lighting Capsules
Gauzak Design Studio Creates the Luisa Collection of Light
Concrete Meditation Spaces
Tadao Ando Builds a Meditation Space for a Museum in South Korea
Vibrant Museum Foyer Renovations
Studio Besau-Marguerre Transfroms Mk&g's Foyer
Perception-Challenging Art Exhibitions
Raise the Moral Studio Presents the Becoming Familiar Show
Energy-Efficient Office Buildings
This Czech Office Complex is Outfitted With Eco-Friendly Designs
Light-Filled Public Restrooms
I IN Uses Yellow and Green to Create Vivid Toilet Interiors
Vertical Formed Lighting Collections
Frédéric Malphettes Designs the Tower Lighting Series
Vibrant Adaptable Workplaces
Ester Bruzkus Architekten Designs a Modern Workspace for Relaxound
Sculptural Sunken Gardens
Montalba Architects Renovates an Iconic Building in Los Angeles
Chic Modern-Industrial Buildings
YN Studio Designs a Slick Facade in Gillett Square
Light-Inspired Furniture Exhibitions
Lee Broom Presents the New Divine Inspiration Capsule
Transformed Historic Bank Buildings
Ivy Studio Overhauls the Interior of a Historic Building
Bamboo-Inspired Cultural Buildings
This Cultural Center Seamlessly Blends Into its Surroundings
Rejuvenated Former Bank Buildings
This Dutch Building Now Boasts Solar Panels & Insect Hotels
Organic Illuminated Artful Series
Lindset Adelman Unveils the Cages, Mobiles, and Rock Lights
Monolithic Concrete-Clad Pavilions
Alberto Campo Baeza Collaborated with Miguel Quismondo
Futuristic Totemic Lighting Series
Jeremy Anderson Designs a Set of Floor Lamps for Space Relics
Vibrant Tonal Spanish Apartments
Colombo and Serboli Architecture Designs a Barcelona Apartment
Caterpillar-Shaped Apartment Buildings
Undecorated Developed an Eye-Catching Metal Building
Vividly Designed Apartments
Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos Renovates an Apartment in Sao Paolo
Greenery-Packed Museum Buildings
This Science Museum is Designed Around a Central Park
Tent-Like Exhibition Pavilions
Buero Wagner Creates the Adaptable Black Pavilion in Rome
Sustainably Built Canopied Buildings
Kevin Daly Architecture Designs a Foundation's Headquarters
Futuristic Vibrant London Apartments
2LG Studio Designs a Vibrant Apartment in East London
Incredibly Colorful Offices
Gema Arquitetura Designs a Whimsical and Eye-Catching Space
Stone Waste Street Lights
The Conceptual 'Pebble' Street Light Offers Ambient Illumination
Energy-Neutral Media Pavilions
AMDL Circle Designs the Novartis Pavilion in Basel, Switzerland
Upgraded Historic Buildings
Kohn Shnier and ERA Architects Renovate a U of T Building
Immersive Crystal Installations
LUMIÈRES by St. Louis Was Showcased During Milan Design Week
Library-Converted Modern Sheds
The Act of Quad Creates the Light Box in Mumbai, India
Fish Scale-Resembling Facades
Renzo Piano Building Workshop Designs the Istanbul Modern
Cozy Luxury Brand Showrooms
KOT Architects Develops a Neutral Palette for Dior's Showroom
Sensory Explorative Art Exhibitions
Chromasonic Presents the Making Sense of Color Exhibition
Reflective Hemispherical Theater Stages
Muoto Designs the Ball Theater to Evoke a Sense of Utopia
Sustainable Acoustic Lighting Designs
atelier oï and Impact Acoustic Design the Oloïd Light
Pixelated Illusion Housing
Ben Van Berkel Creates the Van B Housing with Rieder's Help
Tactile Gallery Buildings
AMAA Designs the Threshold and Treasure Art Gallery in Italy
Sleek Structural Lighting Designs
Hania Jneid Designs the Dynamic Emotional Lab Light
Environmentally Blending Residences
A Threshold Studio Designs the Ineffable Light Home
Temple-Inspired Sculptural Lighthouses
Gonzalo Lebrija Designs the Dynamic El Faro Lighthouse
Mirrored-Detailed Garden Cafes
IDIN Architects Designs Structures for Nana Coffee Roasters
Exposed Concrete Factory Structures
Iksoi Studio Adds a Concrete Grid to the Mallcom Factory
Natural Light-Centric Timber Homes
Studio Varey Architects Designs the Huron House in London
Window-Emulating Lighting Solutions
Noëmi Orgaer's Window Chronicles Connects to the Outdoors
Colorful Light-Filled Urban Homes
gon architects Creates the Casa Flix Located in Madrid
Optical Illusion Replica Artworks
Leandro Erlich Forms the Building in the Liberty Science Center
Brutalist-Inspired Lighting Capsules
Lucie Koldova Designs the Prisma Collection for Brokis
Colorfully Interior Designed Cafes
Fogarty Finger Architecture Designs the Lackawanna Café
Greenery-Sheathed Libraries
This Library Building Features Generous Plantings Of Native Species
Generously Glazed Spiral Buildings
This Building is Inspired By Czech Glassmaking Tradition
Natural Japanese Art Galleries
Brazil's Yayoi Kusama Gallery Features a Nature-Inspired Design
Crystalline Chinese Museum Buildings
The 'Space Crystal' Building Looks Like An Otherworldly Rock
Industrial Architecture-Themed Installations
The Industrial Archaeology Series is Based on Design
Metal-Wrapped Exhibition Spaces
Trace Architecture Office Creates a Structural Steel Wrap
Energy-Efficient Museum Complexes
This Museum Uses Innovative Design to Curb Energy Consumption
Mindful Illumination Holiday Campaigns
Santa & Cole Presents a Warm Embracing Light Campaign
Live-In Art Gallery Homes
Casa Galeria is a Home That Doubles as an Art Gallery
Artfully Inspired Home Renovations
Reflect Architecture Designs the North Drive House in Toronto
Vibrant Apartment Showrooms
&Tradition Designs the Under One Roof Apartment Showroom
Wind-Responsive Panel Pavilions
Fernanda Ahumada & FREE Design the National Biodiversity Pavilion
Elevated Garden-Filled Buildings
Snøhetta Designs the New Cloud 11 Building in Bangkok
Painting-Immersive Photo Exhibits
Abelardo Morell Presents the New Ground Exhibition
LED-Wrapped Airport Renovations
Prague's Airport is Getting a Sustainable and High-Tech Update
Cave-Like Discovery-Themed Centers
Studio Gang Designs the Gilder Center in Manhattan
Light-Filled City Center Gardens
ROOM + Design & Build Designs the Secret Garden in Vietnam
Perforated Light-Passing Art Installations
The Volvo Circle Pavilion Uses Tyvek Facades
Sensory-Enhanced Workspace Designs
Design ni Dukaan Elevates Workspace Design in Various Senses
Halo-Like Skylight Homes
Tamara Wibowo Architects Designs the Halo House in Indonesia
Red Concrete Exhibition Centers
Mix Architecture Designs the Red Box Exhibition Center
Kaleidoscope Vibrant Pavilions
Google's Mountain View Features a Halo Pavilion Artwork
Modern Deco Office Designs
Reflect Architecture Designs the NewGen Office with Contemporary Detail
Lighthouse-Functioning Concrete Structures
Lin Architecture Creates the Concrete Pavilion in China
Water Tower-Transformed Apartments
Zecc Architecten Designs the Amsterdamsestraatweg Water Tower
Juxtaposing Stacked Lighting Series
The Frank Lloyd Wright Series by YAMAGIWA is Refined
Office Building Rainbow Facades
SAKO Architects Designs the Vertical Rainbow Office Building
Rippled Facade Luxe Retailers
Aranda\Lasch Designs the New Dior Store Interior Facade in Qatar
Sculptural Museum Expansions
Diller Scofidio + Renfro Unveil Images of the Broad's Expansion
Latticed-Steel Transport Hub Columns
Tremend Designs the Metropolitan Station in Lublin
Renovated Museum Exhibition Wings
Kengo Kuma Adds a New Building to the Musée Albert Kahn
Clear Glazing Compact Residences
IGArchitects Designs the Check Patterned House in Japan
Basketry-Informed University Facades
Heatherwick Studio Designs a Building for Universidad Ean
Vaulted Brick Illuminating Homes
ERDC Arquitectos Constructs the Horno de Pan Bright Home
Climate-Friendly Waterfront Homes
From 4 to 1 Creates Three Pavilions in Copenhagen
Volcanic-Themed Light Sculptures
davidpompa Designs the Stone Archive Light Installation
Desert Reflective Art Installations
Olafur Eliasson Designs the Shadows Travelling Installation
Illuminating Water-Based Pavillions
Daniel Ryabakken Installs the Shelter Pavilion in Stockholm
Dynamic Interactive Lighting Installations
Zava Designs a New Light and Metal Installation
Industrial Warehouse-Inspired Offices
Carr Designs a New Office Block with Industrial Themes
Illuminated Seated Chamber Skylights
James Turnell Designs the Leading Skyspace in a School
Lightning-Inspired Artful Exhibitions
Ugo Rondinone Presents the Bright Light Shining Installation
Sleek Timber-Constructed Sheds
Fabric Designs the Nightlight Shed in Akaroa, New Zealand
Collaborative Sculptural Lighting Series
Feiz Design Studio and Abstracta Join on the Vika Series
Translucent Chinese Concert Halls
This Venue Boasts a Glowing Aesthetic & Pleasant Acoustics
Lantern-Topped Sleek Workshops
Cabinet Designs the Gardeners House in a Park in Geneva
Water Flow-Inspired Art Buildings
MAD Designs the Waterfront Nanhai Arts Center in Guangdong
Lightness-Emphasizing Design Exhibits
The Triennale Milano Opened an Alberto Meda-Honouring Show
Metal Sheet-Facade Book Stores
Wutopia Labs Designs the Shanghai Book City with a Dynamic Facade
Dynamic Living Towered Residences
Triptyque Completes a Residential Tower in Onze22
Climate-Sensitive Pavilion Structures
Querkraft Designs the Pavilion Inspired by Wind Towers
Repurposed Imperfection-Embraced Buildings
Civic Architects & VDNVP Elevate a Series of Workspaces
Material-Accented Dreamscape Exhibits
Solidnature Displays Its Material Prowess with a New Exhibit
Orchestral-Themed Lighting Series
Milan Iluminación Unveils the Symphony Collection of Lights