Problems sometimes arise during construction because each professional group involved in the process uses its own industry-specific language, making it difficult for the different trades to communicate. Additionally, pre-approved products are often replaced by what the construction manager deems to be sufficient in quality or design, especially when there are budget concerns or if the project falls behind schedule. For this reason the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) in conjunction with the Lighting Industry Resource Council (LIRC) developed the Guidelines for Specification Integrity.

In this article we will examine how two churches benefited from the use of lighting design to achieve their desired goals and investigate the importance of well-written lighting specifications when working with the construction industry.

At first glance, Chicago's Old St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church sits as a steadfast reminder of the city's Catholic roots. Situated between the "Loop" and the Kennedy Expressway, the yellow brick cathedral seems out of place, dwarfed by developers racing to fill the surrounding area with high-rise office buildings and trendy condominiums. Yet the church is actually more than just a monument to the historic fire it escaped in 1871. To understand why it deserves the full attention of the public, one must step inside and view the results of an eight-year remodeling program that recalls the church's Irish heritage.

In the years following the Second World War, styles changed and the church's intense decorations no longer seemed appealing. It's easy to imagine why. The quality of light, dimmed by heavy stained glass windows and limited illumination from ceiling fixtures built during the early years of electricity left the room feeling cold. Add the heavy traditional Celtic stenciling adorning the walls and exposed beams, and one can see why parishioners might have thought a fresh coat of paint would brighten up the room. While the new blue and pink walls did bring out the clean lines of the structure, the painting scheme eliminated the historic quality and decorative resonance of the space.

Through the guidance of the renovation's architect, Laurence Booth, FAIA from the Chicago firm of Booth Hansen Associates, the church has regained its Irish flavor. Booth drew inspiration from the church's stained glass windows created by the artist, Thomas O'Shaughnessy. Booth also replaced the stenciling O'Shaughnessy installed using the original patterns as guides. The revitalization, assisted by James Baney, IALD from the Chicago-based lighting design firm of Schuler and Shook Inc., offers parishioners and their visitors the opportunity to once again enjoy the jewel-like qualities of the Celtic Revival ornamentation that had been lost.

As a traditional church, the leaders saw the enhancement of the cathedral's interior as a prime goal. They wanted to show off the intricate embellishments added to the walls as well as the marble inlay pattern etched into the altar floor. Armed with modern illuminating technology, the lighting design team set out to improve the quality of light without overwhelming the room. Specially designed chandeliers in Art Nouveau style complement O'Shaughnessy's windows and stencils. But the new lanterns proved insufficient. The church needed additional lighting for evening services, weddings and other occasions when direct sunlight was insufficient. The lighting designers selected highly sophisticated pin-lights that could be inconspicuously recessed into various locations throughout the room. These subtle fixtures wash light across the walls giving the appearance of sunlight, without seeming artificial.

However, designing a lighting project from the ground up in a new construction project offers a it's own challenges. After fire ravaged the Chapel at Northeastern University in Boston, the school asked the architects to create a new space that would meet the needs of the university's diverse student body, which come from many different faiths.

The architects turned to lighting designers Paul A. Zaferiou and Glen Heinmiller of Lam Partners in Cambridge, Massachusetts to help them meet their client's demands. The main source of light comes from carefully placed incandescent and fluorescent lighting sources hidden in the floor, which illuminate the layered translucent glass walls. Three inverted domes conceal the ducts for the heating and air-conditioning system and operate as a suspended ceiling. Lighting placed in the space above the domes was directed down into the corners of the room to eliminate shadows and to complete the room's spiritual ambiance. Because the light levels needed to be adjustable for each group using the room, a computerized lighting board with pre-programmed settings was installed. The lights can also be individually adjusted to accommodate special events.

In both churches, the use of technically superior lighting products was critical in achieving the desired effect. Fortunately, the officials at Old St. Pat's and Northeastern University recognized the value of using the lighting fixtures the designers called for and insisted that the building's construction manager deliver the products specified. As a result of the clear communications between professionals, both churches achieved spectacular results.

To make sure their clients receive equally impressive lighting effects, lighting designers are using the guidelines as a framework for creating specifications of high integrity. The guidelines are also a valuable tool for anyone interested in lighting design or the construction industry. By following the guidelines, lighting designers and their clients will have defensible specifications that will ensure they receive the exact products they ordered and achieve the lighting effects they imagined. The publication, which can be found on the IALD website (www.iald.org) follows the seven phases that typically occur in the building process.

1. Foundation Elements for Building a Quality Specification -- The science of lighting is constantly changing. New techniques and applications enter the market all the time. This section explains why lighting design professionals must create and maintain a database of lighting equipment specifications if they are to have cutting-edge solutions available for their clients. This precise knowledge also improves communications between the lighting designers, architects and clients.

2. Actions in the Project's Design Phase -- Architects, builders and their clients should include lighting designers in the early stages of a project's development. This ensures that the lighting designer is fully aware of the parameters of the project. It is vital that the designer understands from the beginning if there are any budget constraints or structural elements that may limit his or her choice of lighting product options.

3. Actions in the Project's Construction Document Phase -- It is at this point that final decisions are made. The exact products must be listed in both the contract and in the design plans. Architects and construction managers refer to this document when ordering products, so it must be as specific as possible.

4. Actions in the Project's Bidding Phase -- After bids are received, some submissions may seem right for the job, but actually fail to meet the specific requirements. It is imperative that the heads of the project team refer to the product specifications when placing orders. If no products meet the specifications, lighting designers should be asked for other possibilities that will sufficiently light the project.

5. Actions in the Project's Construction Phase -- Mistakes happen. They can also be corrected quickly and inexpensively if caught early. To limit the number of problems, lighting designers and their clients must monitor events and remain in contact with the builder to make sure specified products arrive on time and are properly installed.

6. Specification Approaches -- This highly informative section details the different types of specification language required in the building trades. The exact product title and description should be spelled out when there is only one product that can meet the requirements determined by the lighting designer. When it is possible to name a number of similar products, they should all be noted. Construction managers often need the added flexibility, especially if there are budget or time concerns. For government contracts and some private companies, specific products cannot be named, so the exact dimensions and performance criteria must be clearly noted.

7. Specification Language -- Lighting products vary, not only in appearance, but also in power, aim, color and energy use. To better understand the exacting standards that must be applied when choosing lighting equipment, examples of well-written specifications are listed in the final section of the guidelines. Church administrators should carefully examine this information to gain insight into the complex world of lighting design.

Today's churches are investing in a wide variety of ways to deliver their message to existing congregations while also encouraging new believers to attend.

Many are trying to include multimedia presentations in rooms originally designed for traditional liturgies. Large stained glass windows, ineffective lighting equipment, and acoustics designed for organs, not drums are just some of the stumbling blocks that require the assistance of highly trained design professionals. IALD members work closely with the LIRC to remain informed about all new lighting products and innovations. By including a lighting designer in the early phases of the design process, church leaders will benefit from access to lighting solutions that best meet their needs. Over the next few issues we will take a look at church groups who have taken on these challenges and discuss the lessons they've learned during the process.

The IALD, established in 1969, is an international organization dedicated to the professional architectural lighting designer. Based in Chicago and comprised of 675 members throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, IALD's role is to promote the lighting design profession and to advance lighting design excellence in the built environment.

The LIRC is an adjunct organization of the IALD, which provides a forum for bringing together the professional lighting designer with the lighting manufacturing industry.

The IALD is pleased to provide referrals to an IALD lighting designer in your area. Contact the IALD office in Chicago or check the IALD website at www.iald.org for a complete listing of our members.