Great British Lighting are proud to work in conjunction with Richard Griffiths Architects on the refurbishment of The Cathedral of the Dormition, Kensington, London.

The redecoration scheme is complemented by four new brass and copper light fittings, which hang low in the nave and derive their inspiration from Byzantine interiors. The fittings were made by Great British Lighting, a traditional craft based company that specialise in replica historic fittings. They brought their expertise to develop the architects' design and the construction methods, producing samples and CAD drawings.

The copper panels are perforated with a Greek cross pattern taken from an icon on the screen. The polished metals of the fittings complement the gilded ceiling and the antiqued frieze in the apse beyond. The lacquered finish was slightly tinted, but not so much as to dull the reflectance of light in the metalwork which creates an almost pixelating effect. The two loops of the chandeliers are 2.3 and 0.85 metres in diameter. Hanging them 16m below the ceiling beams was a considerable task for the electrical contractor, Platt and Davis, involving the hire of a special lifting platform. The upper section of chain was hung from specially fabricated brackets fixed in the roof space while the scaffold crash deck was in place.

Improvements to the lighting installation were constrained by the need for economy because the existing system was only two years old. After taking some strategic advice from lighting consultant Mark Sutton Vane, improvements were commenced which built upon the existing system and controls. Further improvements are planned now that the cleaned interior is so much brighter, particularly to balance the lighting effect on the icon screen.

(pictures top down : completed restoration, lighting, before work started)

The excerpt above is featured in the latest version of Church Building Magazine.

Great British Lighting specialise in lighting restoration, reproduction and refurbishment.