Let There be Light
Roger Gardner

Funding support from the Millennium Commission has enabled over 400 churches in England, Scotland and Wales to realise floodlighting projects for the Millennium. The Church Floodlighting Trust Ltd was set up to administer the grants, provide technical support for the churches involved, and ensure that the floodlighting was of a high standard. This was a unique experience for the Trust's lighting engineers, who, in collaboration with the Trust's Technical Panel, have each supervised about 50 installations from conception to completion. Some of the insights gained from this unprecedented number of designs, realised over a limited period, are summarised here for the benefit of others who may be considering floodlighting their church or chapel.

St. Mary's, Eastbourne. First floodlit with gas lamps for the 1937 coronation, the current scheme uses metal halide projectors with some in specially designed stone housings. The interior lighting is used to advantage to add interest to the east elevation, which cannot be wholly floodlit

• Which is the most appropriate light source to employ? (This entails assessing the colour rendering and perceived warmth - the 'colour temperature' - of the lamps available, and the effect of these characteristics on the materials used for the building) Where might floodlights be positioned and where may they not be placed? How much light is needed? (taking into account local ambient light and the reflectivity of the surfaces to be lit)
• Are there architectural rhythms that should be acknowledged? (Relevant floodlight positions can reinforce such elements and increase appreciation of the architecture)

St. Mary's, Northolt. A suburban church but situated in a park, illustrating the importance of designing for the correct level of ambient light and the use of good colour rendering lamps

Davington Church. A little light goes a long way: only eight 35w CDM-R lamps were used for this elevation

In the Church of England, the permission of the Church (known as a 'Faculty') must be obtained for all alterations including floodlighting, and other denominations might only require local consents. The church architect will be able to advise which authorities to consult. Planning permission is usually needed when column mounted floodlights are two metres above ground and when floodlight housings are higher than one metre, but there is no common approach by local authorities. Some require planning permission to be obtained, others do not, but it is always advisable to notify of an intention to floodlight a building. Conservation areas and listed buildings will involve special restrictions, and in certain smaller denominations the introduction of floodlights may also require listed building consent if the church is a listed building.

Many designers, installers, and manufacturers proposed floodlights that were far to powerful. Frequently, generous numbers of 400w wide angle 'area floodlights' were recommended. Usually power reductions were possible and fewer controlled beam projectors were eventually installed. This gave improved modelling and energy savings, as well as minimising glare and light pollution through better control of spill light. Concealing floodlights by burying often seems an attractive option, but presents some disadvantages:

• spacing between units, and the offset from the wall to be lit, has to be restricted to minimise light "scalloping" on it. Tilting projectors slightly reduces this effect.
• setting lamps too close to the building produces long shadows from even minor projections which can conceal other features.
• a return at first floor level will not be lit, and supplementary floodlights may be needed to reveal it.
• most flush floodlights are limited in power to control the temperature of the front glass.

Surface mounted designs are normally more economical in capital and running costs, as fewer and cheaper surface mounted fittings are usually necessary.

In the Millennium schemes considered by the Trust, the appearance of small discrete floodlights was not usually a problem. Designers were usually able to position them inconspicuously using existing trees, shrubs or even headstones and monuments. Landscaping and additional shrubs were introduced only when necessary. Floodlights mounted on buildings were normally hidden behind parapets and in gullies, but if unavoidably exposed, finished to blend with their surroundings.

Projectors with inappropriate light distributions were frequently specified. Often this was due to incorrect assessment of the district brightness, lack of calculations in design, or because the correct power/ light distribution was not available from a specific manufacturer, a typical example being wide angle, symmetric beam, trough floodlights lighting a tower or spire. Narrow, asymmetric beam projectors would be more effective, using less power, minimising light spill.

The choice of floodlights was often restricted by the lack of appropriate baffles and spill shields. As independent lighting designers are not confined to the limitations of one manufacturer's range, they are well placed to advise on the selection of suitable equipment.

Unsuitable lamp colour rendering and ambience sometimes lead to undue distortion of appearance. Here the most common mistake was to use high pressure sodium lamps which were perhaps chosen for their efficiency, very long life and warm appearance. Many wanted their premises to look "warm and inviting",

St. Mathew's, Redhill.Narrow beam metal halide projectors lighting a lofty tower and spire

• Lighting the Environment published by CIBSE
• ILE Lighting Guide 6 - The Outdoor Environment published by CIBSE

.