The new Second World War Gallery at the Imperial War Museum displays over 1,500 items conserving, displaying and interpreting stories from the worst conflict in human history.

The gallery is designed to change the way we understand the past. As part of the project, lighting consultants DHA Designs were appointed to develop a subtle and sensitive lighting scheme to help highlight the previously unseen objects, untold stories and unheard voices. One of the country’s most renowned museum lighting practices, DHA Designs worked closely with the museum’s conservation team and exhibition designers RAA to create a discreet, high-quality lighting strategy that allowed the seamless blending between objects, graphics and multimedia.

In order to satisfy the brief, DHA specified Crossflux from the Light Projects LEDBar linear lighting range as well as Tokistar Microspots. This combination was used for illuminating both the large showcases as well as for close proximity lighting within the smaller displays.

LEDBar Crossflux is a surface-mounted linear lighting system which can be manufactured in custom lengths to provide a continuous unbroken line of clear or diffused light depending on the cover used. With tuneable LED strips adjustable from 2600K through to 6700K, its versatility makes it ideal for this kind of mood lighting and setting scenes.

For close proximity illumination, the Tokistar Microspot is a perfect choice. Exclusively available in the UK by Light Projects, these slender fixtures are available in silver or black finish and are designed to discreetly blend into any setting and place the focus on the object being illuminated. They feature 360° rotation, +/- 67° tilt and standard stem heights of 30mm, 150mm, 250mm or 350mm with bespoke lengths made to order. Microspot’s 1.2W White LED are available in 2700K, 3000K, 4000K, 5000K with interchangeable 16°, 24° or 30° lenses and powered from easy connect drivers with dimming options.

With over 30 years’ experience working with lighting designers, Light Projects has designed and supplied ranges of lighting fittings constructed to complement any project – be it fountains and facades, retail and residential or for museums and heritage.