To satisfy the modern functional requirements of the chapel, the design team provided several distinct layers of light beyond the original general lighting from decorative pendants.
The University of Chicago, Rockefeller Memorial Chapel
Chicago, IL
Construction of Rockefeller Memorial Chapel on the University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus was made possible by a 1910 gift from John D. Rockefeller. Completed in 1928, the Chapel serves as a cultural center for the university to this day.
Nearly 80 years after the chapel was completed, the university commissioned a major lighting and electrical upgrade to meet the modern needs of its wide variety of uses, from religious services to graduations to speeches and addresses from nationally renowned figures.
As a beloved campus institution and Chicago landmark, the designers addressed the challenges of integrating new light sources into the historic architecture in a non-obtrusive yet practical manner.
A year after completing the interior lighting, we returned to design façade lighting for the building as part of a campus-wide initiative to light significant facades.
A new dimmer control system allows a full range of lighting compositions to be preset and recalled for the variety of events that take place in this monumental space. All fixtures are set to a dimmed state to conserve energy and increase lamp life. The day-to-day general lighting preset consumes only 0.8 watts per square foot.
Project Details
Service
Sector
Recognition
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IES Illumination Design Award of Merit, 2009
