Edwin P. Rambusch and Martin V. Rambusch
Philadelphia Historic Preservation Corporation
Inspired Fall 1990 vol.V, no.2 pp.4-6,14-15

CREATING EFFECTIVE LIGHTING SYSTEMS FOR HISTORIC HOUSES OF WORSHIP

The standards and expectations for lighting in churches and synagogues have changed over the years. Worshipping congregations, following national population trends, now have a higher median age, and older members need better lighting to follow the service. The American public as a whole has higher expectations for indoor lighting. Modern, state-of-the-art lighting technology has both responded to changing demands and created a market for sophisticated lighting design.

As a response to the demand to provide more light, many houses of worship have simply fitted existing fixtures with more powerful lamps or light bulbs. However, simply increasing wattage is not the best solution. These higher light levels may be more expensive to operate and the glare they often produce may be uncomfortable to the eye and detract from the decorative historic interior. 

Still, there are ways in which lighting units from the past, such as candleholders and free-hanging decorative lanterns, can and should be integrated into a modern, efficient and balanced lighting system. This article will examine the elements in such a system and the aesthetic, practical and technical considerations integral to a well-designed, properly- installed lighting system that meets modern needs. 

The first and most important task is to conduct a lighting survey. This should be completed by alighting design professional, and it consists of two parts. First, the space is measured on site. Second, a floor plan is prepared, with transverse and longitudinal sections drawn to scale. On these architectural drawings a lighting layout is made. Each lighting fixture is indicated on the layout, with projections showing the spread of the light produced. This lighting layout is an essential document; it will help the building owner see what the lighting program will accomplish and it will aid the electrician by showing where units should be placed and how light beams should be aimed.

TYPES OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT

An effective lighting system for a worship source should incorporate at least four types of light: task or reading light; indirect or architectural light; vertical or accent light; and decorative or festive light. Lighting for television broadcasts is an optional, fifth type of light. Each of these lighting effects can be created using a variety of lamps and fixtures. The type and number of fixtures and their placement will be determined by an examination of the existing conditions in the worship space.

Task or Reading Light

Task light is usually generated by downlights. a term first used in a 1936 patent issued to the Rambusch Company of New York City. At that time, a downlight was a specific type of fixture, but it has become a generic word in the industry used to describe light that comes down out of an orifice in the ceiling from a baffled, elliptical reflector.

Downlight provides efficient task light (for reading music or scriptures, etc.) to the horizontal surfaces in the space--the pews, pulpit, ambo or choir area.The best and most efficient downlight is generated by a unit that allows for the greatest amount of light produced by the lamp to be reflected into the space. A well-designed unit, by means of its reflector, will accurately guide the beam of light.

Downlights should not produce any glare unless an indvidual stands directly under it and looks straight up. A properly baffled light source reflects light at more than a 45' angle from horizontal. The result of proper downlight placement will be an evenly lit space, with no large areas of strong light or dark shadow.  evenly If poorly -engineered downlights are used, more units will be required to produce a sufficient amount of task lighting. This will cost more in the long-run, both for the purchase of the units themselves and the energy that will be used.

Indirect or Architectural Light

Many historic worship places are showcases of superb architectural and artistic elements. Ceiling frescoes, ornamental plasterwork, colorful wall stenciling and intricately -carved and gilded column capitals are examples of craftsmanship that are as treasured today as in the past. But the natural light that originally made many of these features visible may have diminished over the years for one or more reasons.

For example, taller buildings now often surround older worship places, darker stained glass may have replaced the original lighter glass, and skylights or clerestories may have been covered. Thus indirect or architectural lighting is the modern solution to enliven the architectural or decorative features of the historic worship space.

The actual locations of architectural lighting units will vary, since their purpose is to draw attention to the decorative elements that are located high on the walls or ceiling that might not,otherwise be seen. The most common architectural lighting is known as uplighting or wall-washing, where a unit is placed close

Edwin and Martin are the fourth generation of Rambushs , to work full-time in the family business, founded in 1898. The New  York City-based Rambusch Company specializes in restoration projects for museums churches, and public buildings. Edwin attends the Parsons School of Design, studying lighting design, mid Martin studies historic preservation at the University of Pennsylania. to the wall and shines directly upward, drawing the eye's attention toward the top of the wall. Sometimes a unit is places on the top of a column capital or tucked behind the spandrel of an arch to highlight colorful stenciling or carved truss work.

An added advantage of including Uplighting in a proper lighting system is to counterbalance the large arriount of light being delivered to the floor by downlights. This balance will avoid the appearance of having a "black hole" for the ceiling. Vertical or Accent Light Where as task and indirect lighting are used throughout the worship space, accent lighting is used very selectively to  highlight either a space where action takes place or a significant it architectural element, such as a reredos or statue.

By using different fixtures and varied levels of light, accent lighting naturally  attracts the eye to the greater concentration of light, focusing the attention of the congregation on the pulpit or lecturn baptismal font or tank or altar. To effectively accent an object, the light should come from two directions, about 30' to the right and left of center, and 450 from the vertical of the object. Especially effective when combined with a dimmer (as discussed later), accent lighting   draws the attention of the worshippers to the desired location of the space at the proper time during the service.

Decorative or Festive Light

Decorative or festive lighting is primarily for the pleasure of the viewer and usually incorporates original or historic lighting fixtures in the worship space. These could be candles, hanging lanterns, chandeliers, coronas or sconces. Since these fixtures no longer provide task lighting, as they did in previous generations, it is possible to lower the wattage in the units and reduce any distraction the older units may cause in the new lighting scheme. All other elements of the lighting system, due to new technological advances, can be hidden in the architectural elements and produce necessary light levels efficiently and unobtrusively.

Television Light

Some worship places require high levels of light for television or video tape recording. Television coverage of worship services is on the rise due, in part, to the proliferation of broadcast channels. The necessary, increased lighting levels should be integrated into a new church or synagogue lighting system when it is first designed . The higher light levels can be created by simply using more lighting units, climinating the need for unsightly units, cord wires, cables and uncomfortably hot, bright, distracting tights.

 A second, viable reason for integrating the ability for higher light levels is the increasing freequency  with which worship spaces are used for alternative purposes. Theatrical or musical performances, public programming, an(] community services all need trong light.

USING OLDER LIGHTING FIXTURES

Making older, exisiting fixtures produce the necessary level of task lighting can sometimes be difficult. kilt. units can be retrofitted by introducing higher wattage lamps, kit the resulting glare is aesthetically unacceptable A more important, hidden danger is in overloading antiquated, inadequate wiring, old sockets, and poor connections, creating a serious fire hazard.

Older units that have some historical value should be into any new lighting system. Such units can usually fulfill the function (A providing decorative or festive light. Some units like the gasolier (with its dual source of energy, electricity and gas) are interesting from a technical point of view other units may have no particular technical or aesthetic distinction, but they may be an important part of the collective memory of the congregation and, therefore should be saved.

To begin a restoration process, lighting units should be inventoried while in place, then taken down and examined with their conditions noted carefully in the inventory. The units may then he removed to a workshop to be cleaned, polished, lacquered, repaired, and rewired, so that they are technically safe. If needed, parts are replaced or altered to accept new lighting technology.

The result of restoring fixtures may be pleasing and, often, surprising. A congregation in Rhode Island, for example, owned a mammoth crystal chandelier which had been hanging for almost 100 years. The armature was dark brown and was assumed to be made of wood. When it was removed and examined prior to restoration, workers discovered that the armature was a dazzling, golden brass! Sometimes hanging lanterns are dark with soot, candle grease and dirt, and when cleaned, reveal again their attractive polychromed or gilt decoration.

REDUCING ENERGY COSTS

There are two primary ways in which to conserve energy when planning a new lighting system. First, existing reading, architectural or accent lighting units can sometimes be reused as part of a new scheme, saving materials and cost. Older downlights originally used plain tungsten filament "A" lamps. Now halogen gas quartz lamps are a preferred Source. They produce a more even quality of light for longer periods of time, and at a lower cost.

Often, well-made downlights from the 1950s can be retrofitted at great savings to the client. Rambusch Company, for example, offers a retrofit unit in its standard line which can be used in old Rambusch downlights as well as those made by Century, Kliegel and others. The units should be examined and retrofitted by a licensed electrical contractor.

Another way to conserve energy is by using a dimmer A dimmer controls the amount of electricity moving through each set of fixtures. For example, if a system consists of two sets of downlights, two sets of uplights, four setss of accent lights, one set of lanterns, and one set of night or security tights, dimmers can control the amount of electricity going through each set of lights in the system.

In most modern systems, individual sets of lights rarely burn at 100% capacity. Many systems, in fact, have a stop in the dimmer which limits each light set's peak to 85-90%. For any particular event in the worship space, only one or two of the sets are at 85%; the remainder are often at 25-50%. The result may he a great drop in energy consumption.

Dimmers can also save money by extending the life of incandescent lamps. Dimmers gently move power to the filament in 10-60 seconds, rather than instantly, causing less shock and damage to  the filament. The result: a longer lamp life.

More than practical additions to any lighting system, dimmer also allow the congregation to be creative. They can be thought of as "timing" devices for the lighting system, allowing for refinement, a variety of nuances, and total control of light levels for each  part of the system. Dimmers, operated manually, or according to a prearranged program, can dramatically change the ambiance of the workship interior. For example, the congregation can be in a warm, low light, while accent lighting is on the  preacher; or a bride and groom can come down the main aisle bathed in bright, festive light.

Light determines not only what we see but how we see it. While an insensitive lighting scheme-using incorrect fixtures that are poorly placed with unsuitable lamps---is inefficient and results in a discordant interior, good lighting will be unobtrusive and, in one sense, invisible. It almost goes unnoticed, except by the expert who can appreciate its subtleties-- there is no glare correct light levels are delivered to the work surfaces; architectural elements are

St. Bartholomew's Chapel in New York City has a well-balanced lighting system that includes task lighting, uplighting to accent stenciled truss work and use of original units enlivened, and brilliant accents enhance the continuity of the whole space. Good lighting is a sound investment, producing dramatic aesthetic results, reduced energy costs, greater efficiency and long-term econorny.

ADDITIONAL READING

The Illumination Engineering Society, founded in 1906, publishes technical papers and recommendations for correct lighting practice. These recommendations are accepted by the American National Standards Institute. A publishing list of IES papers is available from IES publication list at 345 East 47th Street, New York, NY 10017. A paper on Church Lighting (Document #CP214 990) will be available at the end of 1990.

ICE Metter Newsletter occasionally publishes articles on lighting strategies.

This periodical, which is devoted to assisting the religious Community reduce energy costs, is available free of charge. To subscribe, request on congregational letterhead. Contact The Interfaith Coalition on Energy, PO Box 26577, Philadelphia, PA 19141