Using Modified Standard Luminaires for Custom Applications
Nestled in the basement of a grand, light-filled cathedral, St. Callistus Chapel at Christ Cathedral offers an intimate sanctuary for up to 250 people. It also houses a columbarium, serving as the final resting place for bishops and funerary urns.
The lighting design fosters a serene atmosphere that enhances spiritual reflection and worship, emphasizing sacred elements that evoke reverence and connection. To achieve this ambiance, multiple custom fixtures were designed using standard products from different manufacturers.
Chapel Downlight
To seamlessly integrate essential systems into the architecture, we collaborated with the architects to design a discreet 2-inch-wide slot incorporating lighting, ventilation, speakers, fire sprinklers, and sensors. Achieving 30 foot-candles for reading required a specific number of downlights, each delivering 1000 lumens. Given the 2-inch diameter constraint, we developed a custom solution: (2) 1.5-inch diameter cylinders mounted on a 2-inch by 8-inch plate, affixed to a suspended junction box. We approached two different manufactures with standard 1.5” diam cylinders to come up with the custom fixture.
Chapel Quatrefoil Lights
Inspired by the quatrefoil windows of the cathedral above, we introduced softly backlit perforated wood panels to bring a sense of lightness to the otherwise windowless space. Traditional coves weren’t feasible due to limited plenum space, so edge-lit panels were applied to the perforated wood, providing a gentle, diffused glow. Due to California’s energy constraints, these triangular panels could only be lit from one side. To ensure even brightness with minimal wattage, multiple mockups were conducted, testing varying densities of reflective dot patterns.
Arcade Sconce
In the arcade flanking the chapel—clad in stone of varying depths—we designed a custom retractable-arm sconce to ensure consistency across all instances. The adjustable arm depth allows for on-site customization and easy maintenance without requiring access to the back box behind the stone.
Overall, with a warm 2700K color temperature, the lighting fosters a serene and contemplative environment, offering a quiet contrast to the bright, expansive cathedral above. More than just a chapel, this space serves as a welcoming spiritual refuge—bringing people together for worship, remembrance, and community.
