University of Virginia Chapel
The Chapel, circa 1895, required complete renovation. All aspects of the building needed to be brought up to code; lighting was of primary focus. Interior illumination was limited to pendant-mounted cylinders with LED retrofit lamps plugged into ungrounded outlets via asbestos-covered cords. With no accent lighting, a true architectural beauty was hiding in plain sight. The situation was unacceptable for a facility that hosts 300 events per year.
In collaboration with the design team, a series of complementary ideas and solutions were developed to enhance the church's lighting. To improve congregation task lighting, custom pendants were created. These new units have two individually controlled zones per fixture: a wide-flood downlight and a luminous white frosted cylinder. Calculations were performed to determine baseline light level performance before implementing the new fixtures.
Designers envisioned a luminous ceiling that would reveal both its rich color and material texture. The solution was to create a system that surface-grazed each paneled section of the ceiling with linear 90+ CRI LED channels integrated within the horizontal wood slat ceiling members, each with a masking valance.
New chancel lighting positions were created to allow for better geometry and increase lighting quality. A proscenium separates the chancel, providing the ideal location for a surface-mounted track lighting system, located on the upstage side. The lighting track was bent to match the curve of the proscenium arch, allowing track positions across the full expanse of the opening.
The Design Team was challenged by working within the structural limitations and a relatively small footprint. It was critical to develop seamless integration techniques that would not disrupt the visual and historic aesthetic of the interior.
Introducing this bespoke -- and both sustainable and energy efficient -- lighting system required the financial support of both liturgical staff and the campus Architect. Mockups helped gain UVA’s trust and willingness to invest in this extraordinary approach that will serve the campus population for generations to come.
