9 minute read
Lighting Buildings of Faith
‘God is light’ writes John in his gospel, and for millennia, humankind has used this powerful metaphor in religious building. In a special round-up, we explore creative interpretations of this metaphor using modern design and technology.
By Ray Molony
Today, lighting design plays a crucial role in enhancing the spiritual and aesthetic ambiance of buildings of faith, such as churches, mosques, and synagogues. These sacred spaces are designed to inspire and uplift worshippers, and lighting design is an integral component in achieving this objective. By carefully considering the interplay of light and architecture, lighting designers can create an atmosphere that encourages contemplation, reverence, and a connection to the divine.
One of the key considerations in lighting design for buildings of faith is the understanding of the building's architectural features and the specific requirements of the religious community it serves. Each religious tradition has unique symbolism, rituals, and customs, which can influence the lighting design. For example, in churches, the focal point is often the altar, where the Eucharist is celebrated. Here, lighting may emphasize the sacredness of the space, using warm and gentle illumination to create a sense of intimacy and reverence.
In mosques, the emphasis is on the unity of the divine, and lighting design should reflect this principle. Soft, diffused lighting is often employed to create a serene and meditative environment. Special attention is given to the illumination of the mihrab, the niche that indicates the direction of Mecca, as well as the area of the prayer hall where the imam leads the congregation in prayer. The use of decorative lighting fixtures, such as intricately designed chandeliers, can enhance the overall aesthetic of the mosque.
Synagogues, on the other hand, often place significance on the Ark, which contains the Torah scrolls. Lighting in synagogues is designed to emphasize the Ark and its surrounding space, creating a focal point for worship. Additionally, lighting design should accommodate the rituals and traditions associated with the Jewish faith, such as the lighting of candles during Shabbat or the festival of Hanukkah.
In all these religious spaces, natural light is highly valued and often incorporated into the lighting design. Large windows or skylights can create a connection between the divine and the natural world, as well as provide a sense of openness and spaciousness. The changing qualities of natural light throughout the day can also symbolise the passage of time or spiritual transformation.
The Gargash Mosque
Dubai, UAE
Studio N
Dubai-based lighting design consultancy Studio N has created a subtle exterior and interior lighting scheme for The Gargash Mosque, also known as The Mosque of Light.
Designed by Dabbagh Architects, The Mosque of Light is a remarkable piece of architecture where form, materiality and the use of controlled natural light help to prepare the worshipper for an inner experience. The lighting design serves to elevate the architecture and contributes to the tranquillity of the space.
Inside the prayer hall, concealed cove lighting within narrow openings emphasises depth and height, whilst creating a sense of natural illumination. The vertical walls are washed with light and the minbar subtly accentuated. The pale tone of the interior walls and ceiling allow the lighting to be reflected to create a soft glow – this low contrast effect is soothing to the eye and increases overall light levels. Backlighting behind the mihrab creates a gentle glow that draws attention to the direction of prayer.
In the open courtyard, light is projected upwards to illuminate the perforated golden canopy. The effect creates an inviting warmth within the holistic white structure and is complemented by the reflective surface of the courtyard water feature.
The lighting design highlights this intricate triangular detailing through recessed narrow linear grazers. Located along the periphery, the uplighting creates a beautiful play of light and shadow across the carved detailing of the walls, as well as creating an illusion that the structure is floating.
Cavan Cathedral
Ireland
Zumtobel, Thorn and Callaghan
Completed in 1942, the historic and spectacular Cathedral of Saint Patrick and Saint Felim is the most dominant building in Cavan Town. The monumental neo-classic architecture impresses externally with its 68m spire and flanking domes and is easily one of the town's most impressive and eye-catching buildings.
Zumtobel and its sister brand Thorn worked with contractors Callaghan to design a new lighting scheme for one of the most substantial Catholic cathedrals in Ireland.
Internally subtlety was key. Despite the size, the interior of the cathedral is adorned with a rich mix of craftsmanship and artistry, such as intensely detailed stucco ceilings, statues, the mosaic sanctuary floor, apse mural and stained-glass windows by Collie and Harry Clarke Studios.
Conor Brannelly of Zumtobel Group says: ‘We needed optimal effect to reflect all the cathedral's beauty so we decided to hide the interior lighting by using our colour service via My Product to blend in with the building.’
The subtle introduction of Zumtobel’s colour-matched contemporary VIVO 2 LED spotlights and slim Linelight luminaires complement the restored historic brass pendants, revealing and enhancing the design and craftsmanship of the original building's interior.
Externally the lux levels have been optimised at the front façade and spire to enhance the cathedral’s architectural beauty, with Thorn’s Contrast RGBW architectural floodlights with DMX controls. This will allow the cathedral to configure many different scenes to complement religious days and Irish events.
Newcastle Cathedral
United Kingdom
TGA Specialist Lighting
Newcastle Cathedral is a magnificent Grade I listed building, dating back to the early 14th century. TGA Specialist Lighting delicately illuminated this spiritual and cultural architecture, bringing new light to this awe-inspiring place of contemplation. Modern LED and Bluetooth control technology enable the light to be controlled at the touch of a button via a smartphone or tablet, bringing this historic building into the 21st century.
The TGA team worked with ERCO and Casambi to ‘create an energyefficient, effective and user-friendly lighting scheme.’ Newcastle Cathedral, certainly presented its challenges for the lighting scheme. With intricate architecture, both high and low ceilings and stone walls the lighting design, luminaires and Bluetooth controls had to be carefully considered to bring the right light to the space and its multiple functions. Aligned with the lighting scheme, was the need for flexibility. The cathedral is a place for worship, weddings, concerts and community celebrations. With the Casambi app, individual ERCO spotlights and floodlights can be dimmed at any time and without effort by a smartphone or tablet. This automatically directs the gaze of the visitors to the open and perfectly illuminated sections of floor, ceiling and exquisite architectural features.
'The app is instinctive and simple to use for basic functions - and yet sophisticated enough to create multiple scenes. We can now create subtle and really beautiful effects of light and darkness throughout the building, whether we're hosting a rock concert or Midnight Mass,’ said Canon Clare MacLaren.
Hallgrímskirkja
Reykjavik, Iceland
Liska
Hallgrímskirkja is a world-famous landmark in Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik. Visible from almost anywhere in the city due to its 73-metre-high tower, the cathedral is instantly recognisable by its striking façade of descending pillars. A project was recently undertaken to redesign and improve the cathedral’s outdated and inadequate external lighting which had reached the end of its useful lifetime. Liska was appointed as the lighting designer to deliver the scheme, with a brief to ensure the new LED fixtures were as unobtrusive as possible, and interventions to the building’s structure were minimal. This was delivered through a number of partnerships, including the selection of Pharos Architectural Controls to realise the lighting control requirements. Pharos provided its Designer Lighting Playback Controller 2 and one Designer Touch Panel Station.
The lighting design comprises exterior lighting that grazes the façade, roof and tower with colour, including options to use colder tones to offset the warm lighting of the interior and clock tower. Carefully planned placement of the light fixtures with considered positioning has enhanced the three-dimensional surface and added contrast to the beautifully flowing texture of the façade. In addition, the luminaires are strategically located so they do not visually disrupt the architecture and surrounding public spaces. Their placement also avoids glare to passers-by. To aid sustainability, an automatic lighting cycle adjusts to the Nordic winter darkness, while saving energy through the brighter periods by applying dimming profiles.
Musalla at KAPSARC
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Office for Visual Interaction
The King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) is a global centre for international energy analysis, environmental research and policy studies. The architectural design, by Zaha Hadid, features a series of interlocking, cellular structures—dune-like forms rising from the desert landscape. Hexagonal in plan and sectioned with varying heights, these structures encompass a multitude of different architectural elements including folded ceiling planes, hexagonal skylights, open atria, canted walls, triangulated niches, sloped ceilings, and shard-like panels that wrap walls and ceilings. Office for
Visual Interaction (OVI) used light to emphasise these unique geometries, while being integrated into the architecture. As a spiritual centre, the Musalla is a symbolic embodiment of light, and the illumination is an experiential journey for worshipers. A three-storey, windowless space accommodating 300 people, the interior is characterised by a large, organic structural web. Keyed to times of prayer throughout the day, the lighting gradually shifts from luminous white light of midday to golden tones of dawn and dusk, subtly suggesting the passage of time. Highlighting the adjacent golden walls and the use of a more intense glow of coloured light at the front of the room, creates a powerful focal point for the Imam to lead prayer, accentuating his mystical presence. A control system with pre-set scenes balances the lighting levels and layers of light to enhance focal points and echo the meditative atmosphere of the space.
