Designed in Neo-Gothic Style, the church was officially opened in 1888 and is the first Tamil Catholic church in Singapore. Prior to the restoration works which commenced in January 2020, the existing lighting were added on throughout the years and were a mixture of different light sources and have deteriorated. Challenges for the lighting design also includes studying the availability of lighting points, possibility of running new cabling and trying to integrate exposed wiring and control cables as an architectural feature without being too obtrusive and staying true to the conservation guidelines. Careful consideration on placement of new luminaires and enhancing spires, the overall façade and positioning surface type wall-mounted uplighters at the corners of columns so that the columns appear as shadow, while walls are lit. Above the porch stands a statue of an angel blowing a trumpet. while keeping to conservation regulations with no impact to the core and shell.
Façade lighting was to integrate and enhance the overall layers and elements and also illuminating the stain glass windows lining the clerestory from the interior so that they can be appreciated from outside, while also illuminating the interiors and features sensitively with various scenes from day to night. LED strip and profile were also integrated on the edges of the roof to gently illuminate the upper walls and sloped roof.
For the interior, lighting various elements and layers, including introduction of new modern pendants with up and downwards emission on different circuit, so that they can be dimmable and controlled separately. 5 degree beam spotlights were strategically placed opposite side of the stain glass windows to illuminate the stainglass to be seen from outside, without having uncomfortable spill. 2 nos. of 4 degree beam spotlights were also used mounted on the mezzanine floor to accentuate the levitating Jesus gentling without casting shadow on the backdrop.
The church committee was also concerned about the functional aspects of illumination to provide the worshippers, to be able to read the bible. Tiny spotlights were also mounted on the top of the columns to uplight the vaults and arches. A simple RGBWW strip were also integrated to respond to the client’s request for flexibility for various scenes on special occasions.
The design process of the monument might have taken only 6 months, but various presentations and mock-ups were also done to convince the church commission many times during the course of 5 years on the reason for architectural lighting, uplighting and the desired intent was important and the use of warm light instead of daylight white and just use of floodlights.
