Since it was built in 1243, St. Giles’ Cathedral has remained one of the most important landmarks of Edinburgh, and of Scotland more generally, both architecturally and historically.
For the interior of the cathedral, the Icelandic artist Leifur Breidfjord designed an impressive pulpit, which was realised by the architect Philip Flockhart of Morris & Steedman Associates in Edinburgh.
The lighting was entrusted to Bruce Munro Ltd, and specifically to lighting designer Anna Cradock. Her aim was a robust scheme that would show off the truly beautiful work achieved by combining steel and glass. Key criteria were easy access for any maintenance and low energy consumption.
The technical details of the scheme: a pair of four boxes, each containing 24 LEDs, suspended above the glass. Each box is one metre wide and approximately one metre long. Its top face is a frosted, translucent acrylic, and its underside is fitted with an aluminium grid painted to match the metal of the structure. The translucent sides allow sunlight to pass through them without casting shadows on the stained glass.
The LEDs in the boxes, which produce warm white light, are positioned at the back of each box and aimed at the glass of the illuminated installation. Each LED is 1.2 Watt, and each box has its own LED driver, installed elsewhere for easy access.
Anna Cradock has been fortunate to work alongside Bruce Munro and his talented partner Andrew Johnston for several years, on many projects in the United Kingdom and around the world. Although she has yet to visit the site of her creation, it is certain that, thanks to her, the figures of the knights have never had a better night…
Photographs: Bruce Munro Ltd, Peter Backhouse
Source: ENLIGHTER
Text: Giorgos Konstantinidis
