Revitalization of the church in Priozersk. Design concept of the socio-cultural center. Museum of light.

Saint-Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Saint-Petersburg

Project idea

It is proposed to create a new unique space in the Lutheran church. It will help popularize science among the local population. The main idea is to combine science with art, education and entertainment.
The revival of the religious functions in the church is impractical. Therefore, the project proposes to reflect the connection with the religious past of the building through light techniques and effects. It is proposed to organize a scientific and cultural center with a museum of "Optics and Light" in the church. The purpose of this space is to popularize science, explain optical phenomena in an interesting, accessible way, combined with play and interaction between visitors and exhibits. Therefore, the properties of light, light techniques, color, lighting techniques and light sources were analyzed.
The main intervention in the interior of the church is the multi-level prefabricated metal structure. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to maximize the use of the space, not only in the horizontal plane, but also vertically. The I-beams that form this structure have a section of 200 by 200 millimeters.
Zoning in this structure will be carried out by installing between the beams of glass filling consisting of frosted, regular and colored glass. This construction will resemble a stained glass window. Colored glasses clearly illustrate the RGB color model. The stained glass window also becomes a reminder of the religious past of this object.
The first level of the structure houses the Museum of “Optics and Light”. The exposition is dedicated to the history of optics, optical phenomena and devices. Here you can learn about the properties of light, see holographic portraits, a collection of optoclones and other exhibits.
The installations "Play of Lights" and "Play of Shadows" are also installed here. Metallic cones and perforated cylinders are used for the “Play of lights” installation. For the installation the “Play of shadows” uses a frame in the form of cones and cylinders covered with fabric.

Project description

The educational function is realized on the second level of the metal structure. There is a digital holography studio, a holographic laboratory, an interior video mapping studio, a fluorescent paint studio and a copy center.
These studios are mainly focused on extra education for children. By attending programming courses children will gain an understanding of the field of information technology, learn the basics of programming and will also be able to take part in the creation of the exhibition fund of the Museum of “Optics and Light”. For other visitors it is possible to conduct periodic master classes, workshops, evening courses for adults teaching the basics of working with computer technologies.
The fluorescent painting exhibition hall will display pictures painted in the same art studio. Ultraviolet light sources will be used here. This exposition will open to visitors a form of radiation that is invisible to the human eye.
The exposition of the “Optics and Light” Museum continues on the third level of the metal structure under the vault of the church. It houses the interactive media hall and an exhibition hall of digital holograms.
In the interactive media room various video installations are projected onto the walls, floor and vault, which were programmed in the interior video mapping studio. Video installations are accompanied by music and sound effects. The exhibition hall of digital holograms will display volumetric holograms of various objects that have been programmed in the digital holography studio.
Video installations and holograms can be of various themes: outer space, the underwater world, flowers, animals, abstractions, sculptures, architectural structures, works of art. Due to the coronavirus epidemic, travel has become unavailable, so such spaces are becoming a good alternative. Due to the variability of the exposition, they can be a zoo, a museum, a gallery, etc.

Technical information

In the tower on the upper level it is proposed to place the viewpoint "Camera Obscura". Thanks to a system of lenses, mirrors and a periscope, visitors can see a panoramic view of the city on a parabolic table.
The activity in this educational center will not fade away during the day, because there are activities for daytime and evening pastime. And some exhibitions can be visited at any time. For example during the day you can visit the Museum of “Optics and Light”, educational studios, presentations, lectures. Regardless of the time of day you can visit the viewpoint "Camera Obscura", media hall, exhibition hall of digital holograms, exhibition hall of fluorescent paintings. Since these rooms are equipped with opaque screens, they can be visited during the day. And in the evening you can visit light shows, concerts, theatrical performances.