Architect Nikki Escalona-Tayag transformed the restored San Ignacio Church into a captivating tourist hub using innovative lighting design. Learn how she balanced historical preservation, visitor experience, and cutting-edge technology to create a truly memorable space.
When architect and lighting designer Nikki Escalona-Tayag was called in to revamp the restored San Ignacio Church, located beside the original Ateneo de Manila Intramuros site, it presented a neglected picture. Guided by a multi-disciplinary team and under the mentorship of celebrated theater lighting director Monino Duque, Escalona-Tayag transformed the space into a beacon where lighting design reigns supreme.
The Walled City lacked a central point for visitors eager to explore its diverse historical and tourist sites. The area suffered from inadequate natural lighting, the ground floor was devoid of illumination, and the rebuilt structure appeared dreary and uninviting. Escalona-Tayag's lighting design for Centro de Turismo Intramuros, envisioned as the comprehensive tourist hub of the iconic heritage site, aimed to create a welcoming and captivating ambiance. A long lobby with a lower ceiling greets visitors, offering a subtle glimpse of the expansive space within. The design intentionally avoids overwhelming visitors immediately, instead preparing them for the awe-inspiring experience of the grand hall. This hall showcases panels and artifacts from various eras of Intramuros' history, culminating in Leeroy New's 'Galleon of the Psychopomp,' a monumental pendant lighting piece crafted from reflective materials that dance with light. Its sheer size effectively reduces the scale of the vast hall. 'No supplier would have anything off the rack suitable for such a grand space,' Escalona-Tayag explains. 'We opted to commission a contemporary artist for this.'The historical divisions within Centro de Turismo necessitated varying levels of brightness. Given the sensitivity of the artifacts, lighting also played a vital role in their preservation. 'We avoided harsh lighting that could eventually damage them,' Escalona-Tayag continues. 'We implemented 100 percent LED lighting and filtered direct lighting.' Highlighting the scientific underpinnings of lighting design, Escalona-Tayag explains that LED bulbs possess heat protection, unlike halogen lamps that directly transfer heat. The conservation requirement led to a strategic approach of illuminating only essential objects. By creating a hierarchy of lighting layers with contrasting bright and dim radiances, she achieved a visually compelling and balanced illumination scheme.Escalona-Tayag's journey into lighting design stemmed from a desire to overcome her perceived limitations. 'I didn't feel equipped enough,' she admits. 'I realized I was shortchanging my clients. I felt lost during the planning process; it wasn't a designer-led process, but rather supplier-led.' While less experienced designers often relied on readily available offerings, Escalona-Tayag sought to transcend catalog limitations. As the dean of architecture at Enderun Colleges, Escalona-Tayag holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Santo Tomas and an MFA in Lighting Design from Parsons New School for Design (2011-2013). She actively challenges the misconception that lighting design is merely an afterthought in building or interior design. 'Lighting guides the project and shapes its direction,' she asserts. 'It's not just about electrical light but also about harnessing natural light.' There's a growing recognition among architects and interior designers about the profound impact of illumination on a space. Lighting enhances our experience, influences our lifestyle, and shapes our daily activities. 'It's not simply about placing a lamp here or a pendant there,' Escalona-Tayag emphasizes. 'Otherwise, you end up with exposed wiring and a collection of disharmonious elements.' She strongly advocates for involving a lighting consultant early in the design process, not as an afterthought at the project's end. Ideally, the lighting designer collaborates with the architect, engineer, and interior decorator from the outset, envisioning how to illuminate the space effectively.Escalona-Tayag, a self-proclaimed tech enthusiast, anticipates advancements in lighting technology that will enable precise control over fixtures for optimal performance. Smart technology will empower users with greater flexibility, allowing them to customize lighting preferences for various occasions, be it a meeting or a party. 'Incandescent light will fade away, and fluorescent will have one more decade before it too is replaced,' she predicts.Escalona-Tayag also foresees sustainability remaining a dominant theme in lighting design. For 2025, she advises designers to move beyond fleeting trends and instead respond thoughtfully to the specific needs of each project and their clients
Design Technology Heritage LIGHTING DESIGN CENTRO DE TURISMO INTRAMUROS SAN IGNACIO CHURCH NIKKI ESCALONA-TAYAG ARTIFACTS PRESERVATION SUSTAINABILITY SMART TECHNOLOGY
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