Client: Archdiocese of Ottawa, Edward J. Cuhachi and Associates Architects Inc.

Services: Interior architectural lighting, Exterior architectural lighting

Location: Ottawa

Awards: The International Illumination Design Award of Merit, The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America

Description:

Churches offer wonderful opportunities for creative expression in lighting. MCLD was part of a multidisciplinary team which helped restore Notre Dame Basilica, Ottawa's premier cathedral. Our role was to enhance the architectural experience of the parishioners by lighting the superb neo-gothic architecture. We also had to ensure lighting levels in the knave and the side aisles were sufficiently high to allow parishioners to read prayer and hymn books. To that end, we used a great many techniques that we have learned in our work in theatre. We employed architectural lighting fixtures, renovated existing heritage fixtures, and designed new faux heritage fixtures. All work was in the interest of developing an experience for churchgoers that enhanced the spiritual atmosphere of the space.