Going Dark returns for 2026

Traverso Vighy and Light Collective are jointly organising the fourth year of the Going Dark workshop in the heart of Tuscany dedicated to exploring lighting design for heritage spaces that also enable us to preserve darkness and the view of the night sky. The workshop will take place on the 1st – 3rd October 2026.

Traverso Vighy is an architectural practice based in Italy, passionate about sustainability and nature. Light Collective is a UK based creative consultancy that specialises in international events with light at the heart of its work. Both companies are passionate about light and darkness and educating how to ensure they work well together to both reveal architecture and preserve the night sky.

The event will take place in Monteriggioni, a medieval castle town along the Via Francigena pilgrim track connecting Canterbury to Rome and 3km further along the rural track is the monastery village of Abbadia a Isola. This tiny village is a heritage preserve and the focus of the workshop is to help create the right lighting approach throughout.

The event comprises a number of objectives including a workshop/living lab scenario where participants can work together on site to experiment with lighting approaches and measurement techniques to create and demonstrate responsible approaches to lighting. There is an opportunity to learn about the history of the village, to discover and view the night sky with a local astronomy group, explore how to design in this kind of environment with its inherent issues and also to learn about exemplar projects, technology and case studies.

Participants will get practical and hands-on playing with light and luminaires, learning about glare control, proper optics, appropriate colour temperature, dimming and control. Participants also get to stay for two nights in the monastery located within the village. It is a chance to be part of an intimate and exclusive experience in the unpolluted night sky of Tuscany.

Going Dark aims to promote the town, the co-existence of light, architecture and darkness proving it is possible to celebrate architectural heritage whilst also considering and therefore protecting the night sky. The ultimate goal is to preserve the natural beauty of the night sky and ensure that everyone can enjoy it for generations to come.

Going Dark is working with a number of supporters to provide the best equipment and experience to the participants. Luminaires will be provided by L&L Luce & Light, Thorn Lighting and AEC and also sponsoring is the energy service company City Green Light.

For more information, please visit https://goingdark.it/.