Illuminating the Basilica: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Lighting Design for St. Louis Cathedral
At the IALD Enlighten Americas conference, held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn near San Diego, I spoke with Randy Burkett, FIALD, FIES, LC, of Reed Burkett Lighting Design. Burkett was recently honored with an Award of Merit for his work on the Basilica Cathedral lighting design project in St. Louis. This project showcases both technical expertise and artistic vision.
A Monumental Undertaking
When the Archdiocese of St. Louis approached Randy to update the lighting in the Basilica Cathedral, the challenge was immediately clear. The Basilica, home to the largest mosaic installation in the Western Hemisphere, boasts 40 to 50 million one-inch square tiles. The existing lighting failed to fully capture the brilliance of these mosaics, especially outside of natural daylight hours.
“The only time the ceilings and walls came alive was when sunlight streamed through the cathedral’s stained glass,” Randy explained. His task was to bring the mosaics to life, even in low-light conditions, while preserving the space’s historic integrity.
Randy Burkett, Susan Jennings and Ron Kurtz of RBLD receive an Award of Merit at the IALD Enlighten Americas Conference. Photo credit: IALD
The Journey Begins: A Year of Mockups
The project required a year and a half of mockups. Randy and his team experimented with equipment, placement, and angles to achieve the right lighting balance. “We had to be careful with positioning. At the wrong angle, we could wash out a mosaic, but at the right one, we could make it explode with color and brilliance,” Randy said.
The mockups allowed the team to fine-tune every detail, from dimming to fixture selection. In the end, they achieved a design that enhanced the mosaics while respecting the historic space.
Illuminating the Nave
One of the biggest challenges was improving the lighting in the Basilica’s nave. “Light levels were extremely low, even at full illumination. We saw levels under 10 foot-candles, which was inadequate for the aging congregation,” Randy noted.
To address this, the team revamped the oculus at the top of the main dome, removing outdated 500-watt tungsten halogen lights. In their place, they installed 34 LED luminaires. Carefully selected for their varied distributions, these fixtures spread light across two-thirds of the nave and throughout the transept, creating a soft, warm glow that illuminated the space without overwhelming it.
Selecting the Right Fixtures
The design relied on equipment from key manufacturers. Lumenpulse and Griven supplied the fixtures for the oculus and the floodlights. Smaller elements were sourced for specialized lighting needs. “We used a mix of floodlights from two manufacturers, but it worked well for the desired effect,” Randy said.
The design used warm 3000K lighting, with high color rendering, especially in the reds and yellows. This complemented the mosaics’ intricate details without overpowering their natural beauty. The result was a balance of warmth and vibrancy that brought the artwork to life.
Sustainability and Modern Technology
The lighting overhaul also improved the Basilica’s sustainability. The previous setup, which consumed over 50,000 watts, was replaced by energy-efficient LED technology. The reduction in energy use, combined with advanced controls, greatly reduced the cathedral’s environmental impact.
Randy and his team worked closely with an integrator from Lighting Associates in St. Louis. This collaboration ensured that every detail, from controls to adjustments, was perfect. “They worked tirelessly, sometimes late into the night, to ensure everything was right,” Randy noted. “Their expertise in controls was key to the project’s success.”
A Project to Remember
For Randy, the Basilica project was much more than just another job. It was a chance to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of a historic landmark. The IALD Award of Merit is a fitting recognition of the hard work, creativity, and technical skill involved in this once-in-a-lifetime project.
“This type of project doesn’t come along often,” Randy concluded. “It was incredibly fulfilling to see the transformation and to know we played a part in enhancing such a beautiful space.”
Read about Keith Bradshaw’s Award of Merit for lighting SKP Chengdu