Natural lighting in the Hall of Two Hundred. A proposal for exhibition of its ancient tapestries

The present paper provides a qualitative and quantitative approach to natural lighting design for the Hall of Two Hundred in Palazzo Vecchio (the present town hall) in Florence. Starting from transient simulation of natural lighting inside the Hall in its present state, using the commercial software Radiance, a design proposal was suggested, detecting the optimal conditions for tapestry conservation and maintenance and taking into account their periodical exhibition, designing a proper wall show-case solution. The suggested design does not modify the architecture and structure of the building. The distribution of natural lighting and consequently of the illuminance and luminance inside the ambient, suggested a solution for exhibition of the historical tapestries, which can guarantee not only tapestry conservation but also the Hall structure and its present uses. The design proposal provides a comfortable lighting environment, rehabilitation and improvement of the historical perception and sight of these works of art, under variable sun and sky conditions throughout the year.