Maurepas by Night, Blooming in Light

As part of a public–private partnership developed in collaboration with Bouygues Énergie (ETDE), Atelier dada designed a comprehensive lighting masterplan for the city of Maurepas. The ambition was to transform the nocturnal experience of the city’s emblematic spaces while maintaining a strong environmental commitment. Although the tender was ultimately awarded to Vinci and SPIE for financial reasons, Atelier dada’s artistic lighting vision resonated strongly with local elected officials.

The project is structured around three essential pillars: nature, painting and sculpture. Each space is illuminated in a distinct way, weaving together past and present through a coherent and expressive nocturnal journey.

Urban access routes and connectors are signaled by “luminous fireflies” mounted on flexible stems. Moving gently with the wind, they compose impressionistic, pointillist light tableaux with very low energy consumption. Their hues evolve with seasons and festivities, and passersby are invited to interact by selecting colors via mobile devices, introducing a playful and participatory dimension.

The town hall lighting emphasizes the modern architecture of the building by hierarchizing volumes, textures and functions. A soft, targeted illumination highlights key elements, reinforcing the symbolic role of this civic landmark at the heart of the city’s nocturnal life.

For the historic church, a lighting composition entitled Whispers of Old Stone reveals the architecture with discretion. Subtle touches of light trace details and reliefs, evoking the murmurs of the past while preserving a calm and contemplative atmosphere.

At the Church of Notre-Dame, luminous fireflies are embedded within the cross crowning the building. Sparkling like diamonds, they enhance the silhouette of this contemporary architecture, creating a visible and symbolic landmark in the night sky.

The weekly market benefits from a dynamic and hierarchical lighting scheme. The roof is illuminated to ensure visibility from a distance, while a specific color announces market days on the eve of the event. Entrances are clearly marked, and interior lighting softens contrasts to create a welcoming and secure environment.

The Donjon of Maurepas, the city’s last medieval remnant, is revealed through a shadow-play lighting technique that emphasizes its silhouette. On the main façade, a projected luminous ladder symbolizes an ascent toward the sky. The silhouette subtly changes color every hour until midnight, when it fades away, leaving only the mysterious ladder glowing in the darkness.

Ecological and innovative, this lighting masterplan creates unique nocturnal landmarks, reconnecting generations around a reimagined city. A city where heritage and modernity coexist through an inspiring nighttime journey.