In Taipei, illuminate the beauty of century-old Baroque architectural art with professional lighting solutions

Baroque architecture standing for a century
Office of the Governor-General of Taiwan
01
Baroque—The "Misshapen" Pearl
That was the era of the Classical Revival.
Accusations and sarcasm regarding Baroque's deviation from orthodoxy
Soaring freely at great heights
Across the European continent
Calling Baroque a
"Misshapen Pearl"
Indulging in the sensory delight it creates
In front of the rational church square
She and the Caravaggios who created her
For a long time
Endowed with the same identity
"The Standing Sinner"

"The Calling of Saint Matthew", Caravaggio, 1600
Nowadays
The "crime and punishment" of Baroque has long since vanished.
Extending from painting
Infused by it
Music, architecture, sculpture, and theater...
With a unique sense of space and chiaroscuro
Prosperous to this day, thriving endlessly
02
Doge's Palace – A Century-Old Baroque Building
Taipei
Intersection of Chongqing South Road and Ketagalan Boulevard
Over the past century
This central space of nearly 7,000 square meters is exclusively dedicated to
A Baroque-style "palace-like" building
Governor's Palace

In 2019, the Government House celebrated its centenary.

Location of the Governor-General's Office as depicted in "Aerial View of Greater Taipei"
Image reproduced from "Historical Maps of Taipei City Over the Past Century"
In 1919, the Governor-General's Office was officially completed.
Japanese architect Nagano Uheiji
Continues his consistent Western architectural design vocabulary
Through the contrasting combination of red bricks and white granite
Infuse the building with "Queen Anne" Baroque style
(Queen Anne style architecture)

Former Bank of Japan Kyoto Branch, 1606, Tatsuno Kingo, Nagano Uheiji
The design elements of red brick and white granite are carried forward in the Governor's Mansion.
Image reprinted from © Kyoto Between
Under the left-center-right horizontal three-section building layout
Uheiji Nagano
Change the height of the central tower on the axis from
The initial six-story design was extended to nine stories, reaching nearly 60 meters.
Expressed with exaggerated slender proportions
and ornate wall carvings
Forming since the post-Renaissance period
Continuation of the free-spirited Baroque ethos
It also imbues the architectural image with a soul-stirring impact.

Initial design proposal by Uheiji Nagano. Image source: Taku Kato

After completion, the central tower of the Governor's Office was significantly raised in height.
Image reproduced from "Old Photos Tell the Story of Taiwan's 50 Years Under Japanese Rule"
03
A Century of Rebirth – The Light of Caravaggio
Architecture is the best witness to history
In 2019, the Government House officially celebrated its 100th anniversary.
For this century-old building
Renovation and lighting upgrade work commenced immediately
How to Recreate the Baroque Artistic Charm Frozen in Architecture
Became one of the most important links in the "Rebirth" program
Thus, the enlightener Caravaggio came into view.
"Before him, the function of light in painting had to emphasize the majesty of God... it only gave people a hazy feeling. Caravaggio increased the luminance of the illumination and turned daylight into lighting light, giving the figures a sculptural sense of weight... The contrast between light and dark in the painting thus became even more pronounced."
——History of European Painting, p. 118

"The Crucifixion of Saint Peter", Caravaggio, 1601
By introducing unnatural light and strong contrasts between light and dark
Create a unique dramatic atmosphere for the scene
Professional Lighting Solutions from SHYLON Xinlong
Continues the 17th-century paintbrush held by Caravaggio
In Taipei, with the light of Xinlong
Rekindling the Baroque artistic charm of the Centennial Governor's Mansion

Project Application Product: Xinlong SL1140F
04
Light of Xinlong – Drama and Emotion
Tracing the Creative Lineage of Caravaggio
Create a "dramatic" atmosphere in the space
Foster emotional resonance between architecture and people
Became the core theme of this lighting retrofit

The Doge's Palace at Dusk
LED light source with triple optical verification by SHYLON Xinlong
Through diverse precise light distribution
Render the exquisite patterns carved from white granite
as well as the slender proportions of the red wall-mounted columns
Bring the Baroque charm of the architecture to the forefront of the "stage"
Build depth layers for theatrical spaces

After nightfall, the lighting at the Governor's Mansion gradually blends with the surroundings.

Project Application Product: Xinlong SL1135F
As night deepens
Under the regulation of the SHYLON Xinlong Intelligent Control System
The focal point of light and shadow shading begins to converge toward the central tower.
The building gradually fades into the deep night background.
Forming and maintaining alignment with collective emotions

The Doge's Palace at night, with the central tower illuminated separately
Central Tower under Soft Lighting
It is imbued with the imagery of a "listener".
While outlining the functional attributes of the building itself
As if quietly telling a story
Belonging to the building itself
A Century of Dynamic History
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