Artificial lighting in Casa Forte square and Faria Neves square

Abstract

This article deals with the artificial lighting of Casa Forte Square (1935) and Faria Neves Square (1958), by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx in Recife, considered historic gardens and listed by National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute – IPHAN. It presents the objective of carrying out a comparative analysis of those, based on the observation in loco of the distribution of spotlights and luminaires, taking into account the conservation of the heritage landscape, technological innovation and the ability of gardens to promote well-being. The established method was to approach the empirical object, through experience in each garden, a survey of documentary and technical data of the lighting installed, as well as historical records of the landscape. The results show two very different lighting situations. Both have luminaires with LED light sources (Light Emitting Diode), however, in Casa Forte Square, the original distribution has remained with the cast steel poles preserved, although the colonial lantern design of the luminaires has no historical reference to the place. On the other hand, in Faria Neves Square, although we have no record of the original project, the distribution of light spots is structured in a new spatial arrangement, with taller luminaires and more functional design. The main conclusion is that, although these historic gardens are listed and their conservation is the responsibility of the public authorities, there are no regulating principles for the intervention of artificial lighting as part of this heritage landscape.