Church of Nossa senhora do Carmo da antiga sé

As Brazil’s first cathedral, located in the historic center of Rio de Janeiro, the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel of the Ancient See has witnessed some of the country’s most significant historical events, including the coronations of King João VI and Emperor Pedro I. As part of the restoration celebrating the bicentennial of the arrival of the Portuguese royal court in Brazil, we were invited to design the lighting for this extraordinary landmark, a project that also uncovered an archaeological site during the restoration.

Our work extended far beyond the restoration of the architectural lighting. With great care, sensitivity, and respect for the centuries-old architecture, we also designed the lighting for a sound-and-light show directed by Marcello Dantas. Every lighting cue was conceived not only to reveal the beauty of the space, but to bring its history to life, allowing light itself to become part of the narrative.