Rochester Cathedral’s new lighting scheme honoured with prestigious IALD Award of Excellence

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The recently installed lighting system at Rochester Cathedral has been awarded an IALD Award of Excellence. The International Lighting Design Award celebrates exceptional lighting design and is considered one of the highest accolades in the lighting industry.

 The new lighting scheme was designed by CES Lighting & Electrical Specialists. It was installed between 2021/2022 and has transformed the medieval Cathedral. The project encompassed the lighting, control and electrical design for the interior of Rochester Cathedral. The previous system had been installed in the 1960’s and was expensive to run, not eco-friendly and had limited flexibility.

 Working alongside a team from the Cathedral, CES devised a system which allows complete control for the Cathedral to highlight significant historical features and allow flexibility when different spaces are being used.

 As the current building is nearly 1000 years old, the project was not without its challenges. The design needed to be fitted without disrupting or damaging the priceless historic features of the Cathedral. The team had to find innovative ways of mounting fittings for cable routes, fixings and custom brackets. The lighting scheme had to be easy to maintain and, crucially, energy efficient.

The results speak for themselves. Rochester Cathedral is now on a single integrated lighting control system and DMX desk for external hires or concerts.

 The IALD International Lighting Design Awards are universally heralded as the top honour in the lighting design industry. Rochester Cathedral and CES Lighting & Electrical Specialists joined 27 projects from 15 countries who were recognized and applauded for their demonstration of exceptional lighting design and contribution to the professional design community. The awards were presented by Acuity Brands.

 The judges for the IALD Award of Excellence said of the project.

 “There is a particular challenge to lighting a house of worship for both religious and secular functions. This design provides such a balance and adaptability with no compromise to the beauty of either application.”

 The Very Rev'd Dr Philip Hesketh AKC DL says;

“It is amazing the effect that the lighting has had upon the Cathedral. The new lighting has enhanced architectural features and aspects unnoticed and areas that have been in the shadows for many a year - stunning.” 

Visitors to Rochester Cathedral can see the stunning results themselves when visiting Rochester Cathedral. As well as enhancing the architecture and giving more flexibility, the new scheme has notably reduced the carbon footprint of the Cathedral.

 Rochester Cathedral would like to thank the Friends of Rochester Cathedral and the Rochester Cathedral Trust for raising the funds which allowed this vital project to happen.

Project Credits

Lighting Design: Ryan Slessenger; David Burch; John Hebberd - CES Lighting & Electrical Specialists

Architecture: John Bailey - Thomas Ford & Partners Client: Rochester Cathedral Church Council

Additional Credit: Craig Smith; Dan Hayward; Keiran Smith; Adam Greendale - CES Lighting & Electrical Specialists

Photography: Nikhilesh Haval - Nikcreations

Videography: David Ford - The Light Painters

About CES LLP

CES LLP is a family run business providing specialist services in:

  • Architectural lighting design, consultancy and installation

  • Sensitive electrical installation works

  • Routine electrical maintenance

Respected among the various ecclesiastical and heritage authorities CES LLP offer services to the Architectural/Heritage/Ecclesiastical (church) sectors. This includes but is not limited to ecclesiastical (church) buildings, museums, halls, libraries, private chapels, meeting rooms as well as schools, both historical and modern.

The Partners are keen to maintain the business within the framework of a Christian ethos.

About the IALD International Lighting Design Awards

  •  The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) was established in 1969.

  • The IALD is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to supporting a network of 1,500 independent lighting design professionals who satisfy its rigorous qualification process. The IALD strives to set the global standard for lighting design excellence by promoting the advancement and recognition of professional lighting designers.

  • The IALD has over 35 Regions and Chapters around the globe that support the interests of their respective local lighting, design, and architecture communities.

  • To grow the available pool of entry level lighting designers by fostering connections between pre-practitioners and practitioners of the profession, the IALD Education Trust is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 charitable educational organization that provides direct support to lighting design educators and students. 

  • Formed in 1996, the Lighting Industry Resource Council (LIRC) exists to provide a framework within the IALD for enhanced communication between professional lighting designers and manufacturers and to create an environment conducive to the collaborative improvement of products, services, business practices and lighting design education