Berman Guedes Stretton requested LAPD’s assistance to transform the Chapel at Brasenose College in Oxford.
Brasenose College Chapel resides within a Grade II Listed building. It comprises an entrance cloister, ante-chapel and main chapel. The existing, outdated lighting had failed entirely in many cases, making the entire premises look tired and unloved. Furthermore, it lacked the versatility that the Chaplain and the College required. Accordingly, we developed an all-new lighting package for these multi-use spaces.
Beginning at the entrance cloister, we revolutionised the lit environment. Previously, two uplights had cast cold, narrow beams on to the barrel-vaulted ceiling. This resulted in hot spots on the ceiling and very little light reaching the floor or steps to the ante-chapel. Meanwhile, the memorial plaques and decorative carvings on the walls were left in darkness. Bringing out the warmth of the stone was important. So, we chose a colour temperature of 3000K prior to the luminaire selection.
Concealing linear LED strips on the stonework above eye-level proved to be impossible, due to English Heritage constraints. Therefore, uniform lighting of the barrel vault from a hidden source was no longer an option. So, slim cabling fed a new array of small adjustable LED spotlights. The spotlights cast light on to the floor, steps, memorial and artwork on the walls, making the cloister attractive and appealing. It now forms an appropriate entry into the ante-chapel beyond.
The brief for the ante-chapel requested several different stages. Lighting of the war memorial and new uplighting to the walls was included. Dedicated lighting for a music performance space was of particular importance to the College. An advanced yet effortless control system would allow for several different scenes.
Here, it was possible to conceal LED strip on top of the existing wood panelling. As a result, the ante-chapel benefited from a clean, even uplight on the walls. The LED strip, selected for its output, also cast light up to the stunning decorative ceiling.
A new three-circuit track, installed on the organ loft, allowed for flexible lighting of key parts of the ante-chapel. LED spotlights with adjustable beam angles put accurately controlled light on to the piano and performance space. LED framing projectors, fitted to the same track and precisely adjusted, make the war memorial stand out. Consequently, a perfectly focused light enhances the entire plaque and seeks to honour those names listed upon it.
The control panel for the entire scheme is housed in the ante-chapel. Crucial to its success is its silent running. This is due to the ante-chapel’s use as the setting for the recording of music recitals and performances. While the panel itself is state-of-the-art, the interface features only 6 buttons. This gives the Chaplain easy access to each required scene.
