When the sun goes down, the mediaeval village of Abbadia a Isola takes on a different character. Its stone streets, historic architecture and the surrounding landscape become an open-air laboratory where a different approach to lighting design can be trialled – one that is more conscious, respectful and attentive to the balance between people and nature.
From 1 to 3 October 2026, Going Dark, the international workshop created by Traverso-Vighy Architetti and Light Collective, returns to the Via Francigena in this charming village in the heart of Tuscany. The event brings together architects, lighting designers and landscape professionals from around the world to explore how historic and natural spaces can be illuminated while preserving darkness, reducing light pollution and protecting the night sky. And, once again, L&L Luce&Light is the workshop’s technical partner.
Now in its fourth edition, Going Dark offers three days of lectures, site visits, night-vision experiments and hands-on design activities. This immersive experience allows participants to engage with real-world challenges and directly test the latest technological solutions for outdoor lighting.
Abbadia a Isola becomes a true "Living Lab” for the duration, a unique setting where architecture, landscape and light interact. Here, every design decision is observed and tested in the field, assessing not only its visual effectiveness but also its impact on its surroundings and on the perception of the night environment.
This year, too, we are making our technology available to support the workshop activities, including advanced control systems, precision optics and solutions devised to minimise light spill and improve visual comfort. These tools allow participants to explore first-hand how well-controlled lighting can elevate architecture without compromising the natural darkness of the setting.
The themes explored during Going Dark are now at the heart of the international debate on lighting design – from protecting dark skies and biodiversity to the unobtrusive integration of lighting fixtures into historic buildings and the rediscovery of darkness as a resource to be preserved. This approach closely aligns with our own vision of light as a tool that can enhance spaces without altering their identity or disturbing their natural balance.
Going Dark is more than a workshop. It is an opportunity for exchange, experimentation and professional development, demonstrating how technological innovation, design sensitivity and respect for the environment can coexist. Because designing with light also means knowing when to leave room for darkness.
