Originally completed in 1439, the Strasbourg Cathedral is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and is an icon of the Alsatian city. Reaching a height of 466 feet, the cathedral’s sculptural sandstone design is largely attributed to 13th-century German architect Erwin von Steinbach. The resulting views of the cathedral give the impression of “balanced, quiet, chiseled light” that celebrates the site’s history and spirituality.
Despite the structure’s UNESCO World Heritage Site status, (which requires approval from various government and local authorities for upkeep and modernization projects) the recent restoration of the cathedral by local firm L’Atelier d’Architecture JCBA with lighting design firm L’Acte Lumière took only four years from planning to completion. Finalized in October, the team was asked to comprehensively illuminate the historic structure without drilling any holes into the exterior stone blocks. To do so, Jean-Yves Soëtinck, founder of Strasbourg, France–based L’Acte Lumière, developed a plan to install 600 LED projectors using clamping sleeves, collars, and fixture corsets, and drilling into masonry joints only when needed. Though the team determined a color temperature of 2700K was best to draw out the brown, yellow, red, and purple tones in the stone, the color temperature of the individual luminaires varies slightly based on their placement throughout the project “to enhance the architecture, intricate layers of masonry, and sculptures.”
Jury Comments
The majesty of the project is impressive. • It’s a very considered approach. • Judicious use of illumination.
Details
Project: Strasbourg Cathedral, Strasbourg, France • Client: City of Strasbourg, France • Lighting Designer: Jean-Yves Soëtinck, L’Acte Lumière, Strasbourg, France • Electrical Engineer: Lollier Ingénierie, Mittelschaeffolsheim, France • Conservation Architect: L’Atelier d’Architecture JCBA, Strasbourg, France • Photographers: Xavier Boymond, Olivier Hannauer Cappiello, Mélanie Lhomme • Project Size: 64,583 square feet • Project Cost: approx. $2.27 million• Lighting Cost: approx. $1.5 million • Watts per Square Foot/Code Compliance: Not Applicable • Manufacturers: Lumenpulse, Louss, Insta, Radiant, We-ef
