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Lighting Design for Places of Worship

Light in most religions has a symbolic function representing the presence of the divine. For a church, mosque, synagogue or any place of prayer, light has a special impact. It must convey and create a specific state of calm and safety. That is why the role of lighting design for places of worship is crucial.

Studies have been made to determine lighting design regulations in religious spaces and to define the quantity and quality of light needed for these spaces to enhance the quality of the interior and the spiritual dimension. We will discuss the following aspects that must be considered in the lighting design for places of worship.

The Psychological Function of Light

Light is one of the most influential elements that form the overall image of a building. Architecture has always tried to take advantage of natural light as much as possible. Light often takes on mystical aspects and affects architectural elements. The rhythm of light in a place of worship plays an essential role in explaining the evolution and sequencing of the space.

The light is responsible for rendering the transparency of the materials (glass, for example, found in stained glass, etc.) and for reducing the solidity and coldness of the building. Lighting for places of worship, in addition to its symbolic, mystical and spiritual role, also highlights architectural decorations. This illumination performs well, conveying information well and sometimes elevates the human mind beyond material limitations.

Light can give active dynamism and vitality to Islamic decorations. Light is a prominent element of Islamic architecture, not as a physical element but as a symbol of the divine and existence. Christian theology is a theology of light. God is considered the creator of light. This light is the foundation of lighting design for churches.

Lighting of historical buildings

Light has played an essential role in these religious buildings since ancient times. Through the small windows present on the Romanesque domes, rays of bright light passed, contrasting with the darkness inside, which was believed to come directly from God. Gothic architecture made more room for natural light through large stained glass windows. During the Baroque period, clear glass windows allowed natural light to flood the room, illuminating the frescoes, altar and dome.

A combination of diffuse and accent lighting is usually used for buildings of worship. Such buildings have always been significant throughout history, having a special architecture and many decorative elements that deserve to be emphasized. It is also recommended to highlight certain particular elements found in certain places of worship, such as tombs of saints, icons, statuettes, etc. These buildings built in different eras often represent a historical, artistic and architectural heritage. This fact brings with it certain restrictions and technical constraints regarding the design of lighting for places of worship.

One of the challenges a designer faces in lighting a building from another era is that a possible collaboration with the architect is impossible. Thus, the designer must try to learn as much as possible about the concept by doing a historical and cultural study of the space.

Light & Space 

Vertical lighting creates a feeling of height, spaciousness and brightness of the space. For such buildings, ceiling lighting is recommended because they are usually decorated with religious scenes or specific architectural elements.

Floor lighting is very important to give a feeling of safety and better orientation in space.

 

Task lighting, focal lighting, general lighting 

For interior lighting, functionality and processes that take place over time must also be taken into account. The symbolism of light in the Christian liturgy is powerful. In a lighting project for places of worship, the layers of light are significant: general lighting, zone lighting, task lighting and accent lighting.

You can see the interior of a Catholic church in the Gothic style lit uniformly, which makes it flat. Volume is not reproduced with this type of lighting for places of worship. Meanwhile, this type of lighting creates a safe atmosphere

General lighting – must provide sufficient levels of illumination for the safe use of the space. This is represented by uniform, relatively flat lighting. The type and intensity of general lighting used will depend on the specific needs and style of the space. The right balance of overall lighting can create a sense of calm and focus, making it easier for worshipers to connect with the spiritual elements of the service.

The religious statue inside the church is highlighted with the help of lighting. The illuminance level on the statue is much higher than the surroundings. This type of lighting is especially found in lighting for places of worship.

Area lighting – highlights both the altar and artwork in the place of worship. The altar and the pulpit are two elements characteristic of Christian churches that must be exploited with the help of light both from a symbolic and functional point of view. The organ and the baptismal font are other particular elements of worship that are often real objects of art.

 

Accent lighting is one of the most essential types of illumination for places of worship. In this case, it highlights the architecture of the church by lighting the pillars, windows, and vaults.

Accent lighting – is an essential aspect of an engaging and inviting worship space. It is a technique that focuses on highlighting specific features or objects in the area, such as architectural details. Accent lighting can add depth and drama to the worship space and create a sense of reverence and contemplation. Overall, it plays a crucial role in shaping the atmosphere of a worship space and can significantly enhance the spiritual experience of those who attend.

A very important aspect of lighting for places of worship is useful lighting. The corridor leading to the altar is illuminated, as well as the prayer benches

Task lighting – ensures activities are carried out in optimal conditions. It includes the illumination of the passage areas and prayer spaces to allow reading from the liturgical books, the pulpit, the lectern or the choir area. For example, well-placed projectors can provide directional lighting for musicians or singers, allowing them to read sheet music or follow a conductor’s cues. The appropriate level and placement of task lighting will vary according to the specific needs of the worship space, but special care should be taken to ensure that all participants can perform their tasks comfortably and efficiently.

Avoiding Glare 

For the visual comfort of the priests, the prayers, and the visitors, the formation of glare caused by very strong luminances of light sources and reflections is avoided. This phenomenon is quantifiable, represented by the Unified Glare Rating (UGR).

Choosing the Correlated Color Temperature (CCT)

Regarding the light temperature (CCT), warm shades 2700-3000K are used. Moreover, the places of worship were lit with candles that gave off a very warm light. Also, this CCT creates a state of peace, relaxation, and warmth. Most people prefer this CCT for a prayer space.

But also, the materials used in the architecture / interior design of the worship space are defining elements in choosing the right light temperature. Although this choice may seem subjective, there are some safe and simple solutions to highlight the colour and texture of materials. Warm-toned materials are usually illuminated with warm light and cool ones with cold light.

Well understood, everything must be in accordance with the concept chosen by the lighting designer. For example, a white room can be lit with both low and high CCTs. A CCT = 2700K- 3000K in such a situation can mean warmth and comfort, while a cold light would highlight the walls’ whiteness and give us that feeling of purity.

This series of images represents the lighting zones for places of worship. These areas together can make up several scenarios. We can see groups that makeup accent lighting, groups that make useful lighting and so on.

Lighting Scenes

Some buildings of worship have more than one purpose:

  • praying, rituals/religious processes (ex: liturgy, baptism, etc.)
  • instrumental and vocal concerts
  • visiting for tourist purposes

In this case, it is recommended to create several lighting scenarios. This can be achieved through different control systems. All the lighting fixtures are divided into groups according to areas and objectives, and then scenarios are created by dimming or turning off certain groups according to needs. The images below show examples of possible groups of lighting fixtures based on their functionality.

The lighting of the stained glass windows is part of the accent lighting.

The lighting of the stained glass windows is part of the accent lighting.

The lighting of the columns - a technique often encountered especially in the case of Gothic churches because it highlights the verticality and height of the room.

The lighting of the columns – a technique often encountered especially in the case of Gothic churches, because it highlights the verticality and height of the room.

Arch lighting is part of the accent lighting category, highlighting the architecture of the building.

Arch lighting is part of the accent lighting category, highlighting the architecture of the building.

The lighting of the prayer area - this is part of the category of task lighting and can only be turned on when religious ceremonies take place in the church.

The lighting of the prayer area – this is part of the category of task lighting and can only be turned on when religious ceremonies take place in the church.

The lighting of the corridor leading to the altar in a rendering represents the interior of a church belonging to the Gothic style. This type of lighting can be achieved with LED lighting fixtures equipped with optics or elliptical light distribution.

Choosing the right lighting fixtures for places of worship

The choice of lighting fixtures is made, taking into account the chromatic particularities of the spaces and works present. Light sources with a high colour rendering index are recommended for work.

Lighting design for places of worship involves:

– historical-artistic-architectural analysis of the building to capitalize on the symbolic and particular elements with the help of light

– identifying the techniques used for paintings in order to approach them correctly and not distort them over time (the level of illumination on the surface of the painting, as well as the time of exposure to light, are the parameters that influence the pigments and sensitize them)

– thinking of a minimally invasive system for mounting and power supply

– creating scenarios depending on the destination of the place of worship at the time

LED Lighting

These buildings are often colossal in size. Thus, maintenance becomes problematic. Changing the lighting fixtures usually involves closing off the affected areas of the worship space and replacing them with the help of cranes. Therefore, we recommend the use of LED lighting fixtures. LED lighting fixtures are efficient and have a long life expectancy. Thus, maintenance costs also decrease. Limited natural resources and rising electricity prices make us aware of the importance of choosing eco-friendly lighting.

Efficiency & Efficacy

One factor to consider is the efficiency of lighting sources (how much light is emitted relative to how much power it consumes). The unit of measurement is lm/W. LED lighting sources give the best results in this category. Nor should the efficiency of lighting fixtures be neglected, also often referred to as LOR (Light Output Ratio). This is the ratio between the luminous flux generated by the light source and the total flux emitted by the lighting fixture.

Visioluce has rich experience in designing lighting for places of worship and designing customized fixtures according to the needs of each space.

 

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FAQ

Welcome to our resource on lighting a worship space. We've compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you understand what a lighting project like this entails. Whether you're looking to improve the aesthetics of a religious building or understand the technical aspects of lighting, we hope you find these FAQs helpful. Let's begin!

What is the most common mistake in lighting for religious buildings?

A common mistake, especially in the lighting of Christian churches, is the focus on the horizontal lighting and losing sight of the vertical one. By lighting vertical surfaces: pillars, columns, walls, altar, icons, etc., it gives spaciousness to the room, highlighting its height.

What should we consider when designing lighting for places of worship?

In these cases, the emphasis is on the light, not the lighting fixtures. With the exception of old chandeliers, lighting fixtures must be as little visible as possible by placing them in particular places and by painting the housings in the same RAL codes as the surfaces on which they are mounted.

What is the best place to install lighting fixtures in a church?

Both from an aesthetic and functional point of view, cornices are the ideal place to install lighting fixtures. By installing them in this place, they will no longer be visible and will not visually disturb the appearance of the church. Also, this strategic spot allows for both ceiling and floor lighting. In addition, as you well know, many churches are part of the national heritage, and any intervention in the building is prohibited. Thus, placing the lighting devices on the cornices allows us to run the cables along the pillars, columns, and corners of the room to be as visible as possible.

What is the role of accent lighting in a church/mosque/synagogue etc.?

Accent lighting can play a crucial role in a worship space by highlighting specific architectural features, artwork or focal points.

What is the amount of light needed for a place of worship?

The amount of light needed in a religious building depends on factors such as the space’s size, the ceiling’s height and the desired atmosphere. A general rule is to aim for an average 200-300 lx level, with stronger light needed for reading and other activities.

What is the recommended light temperature for a place of worship?

The optimal colour temperature for lighting places of worship varies according to personal preference and the desired atmosphere. Warm white (2700-3000K) is often used for a cosy and welcoming atmosphere, while cool white (4000-5000K) can provide a bright and energetic atmosphere.

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