Hushed tones
As part of works to install new safety railings to the famed Whispering Gallery at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, CBG Light Perceptions was appointed to devise a new lighting scheme to align with the new design.
The Whispering Gallery is a circular walkway along the base of the cathedral’s dome structure, with views to the floor below and along the entire length of the cathedral.
To fulfil the requirements of the project and refresh the outdated lighting in the gallery, CBG specified iGuzzini’s Linealuce linear fixtures. This contemporary, high-performance miniaturised luminaire has replaced 64m of cold cathode fittings to provide uplight to the beautifully gilded, heritage Tijou railings. A warm white colour temperature has been specified.
To offer improved illumination to the Thornhill frescoes, which adorn the dome above the gallery, CBG Light Perceptions specified iGuzzini Palco luminaires with a variety of carefully selected optics.
An additional safety feature added to the gallery is a series of miniature, hidden emergency lights that can be used to provide low-level lighting to the floor of the gallery and also highlight the exit doors in the event of an emergency.
The installation was carried out by a team of electricians from the cathedral’s Works Department.