Client PCC St Mary's. St Mary's church is Grade II Listed.
We were asked back in 2008 to prepare a feasibility study for the proposal of new lighting, 13amp small power, sound, emergency lighting and fire alarm throughout the complete church.
The existing lighting to the worship area being flemish chandeliers suspended from the arcades with discharge luminaires and antiquated spots scattered over various areas of the nave and chancel.
The brief from the clients was to open up the wonderful space throughout the worship area by taking away the hanging chandeliers and to remove the clutter of so many different single luminaires, so one can see the fine lines and contours of the architecture throughout the nave, aisles and chancel. .
The liturgy had two positions, one being from the centre of the nave where the congregation could be set out around the altar, the other for larger services to use the high altar so the seating could be set out facing east.
A traditional bespoke corona was designed to be supported over the centre of the nave for the general services with supplementary compact spots directed on to the nave altar and ambo.
The general lighting being traditional bespoke wall lights placed on the nave walls above the capitals and concealed floods in the aisles and lady chapel.
The chancel and sanctuary were lit using floods at wall plate level to provide up and downlighting, again compact directional spots used for the east end of the nave, choir and sanctuary. Traditional flush period luminaires were installed under the west end galley.
Lamps for the general luminaires and floods were PL 830K warm white, directional lighting using AR111 and MR IR energy efficient lamps 3000K. A lighting control system was introduced to provide complete flexibility for all liturgy services, weddings, concerts and plays. Energy efficiency rating A..
Traditional period external lanterns were installed above all exit doors to provide a soft wash of light over the exits and pathway leading up to the lychgate.
Emergency control gear was introduced in to the bespoke luminaires as well as the external lanterns.
Buried floor boxes where installed in to the nave to provide 13amp power and future capacity for any future sound or AV wiring.
The complete installation has been a great success, the flexibility of the lighting system and electrical installation means that St Mary's can now be used for a number of different functions.
