The First Emperor: China's Terracotta Army showed one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, the famous terracotta warriors, giving an insight into China’s First Emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, and his legacy. The exhibition was the biggest by the British Museum since the Tutankhamen exhibition in the 1970s.

Staging the exhibition in the world famous Round Reading Room gave the project more challenges and opportunities than most temporary exhibitions. The exhibition was a huge success with record bookings taken prior to opening. The project was filmed by the BBC, and reported extensively by the press and was seen by more than 650,000 visitors during its six months run. The lighting infrastructure was developed to be flexible as it was to be used for a second exhibition within the Round Reading Room. The final result was strong on spectacle and drama while providing sensitive lighting for rare artefacts on display.

‘Exhibition designers and curators have to work hard to create a sense of spectacle; but they succeed brilliantly.
The museum’s great Round Reading Room has been temporarily adapted into an atmospheric show space.’
Rachel Campbell-Johnston, The Times

‘The exhibition beautifully illuminates an amazing archaeological find.’Diane Fortenberry, Blueprint

‘The lighting is solemn and theatrical but it works well and the journey remains lucid, thought provoking and gripping.’Waldemar Januszczak, The Sunday Times

Finalist – 2008 Lighting Design Awards