The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis is a poignant work of art with more than 30 million mosaic tiles as well as artwork, sculptures and Byzantine and Romanesque-designed architecture. Yet, the stunning beauty of the historic space was masked in dim light.

The new lighting design achieves a striking revelation of elements not previously viewed in such color and detail and enhances the day-to-day experience for parishioners who previously struggled to read hymnals.

Through technical surveys conducted at various events during different times of day, the team studied colors and reflectances, came to understand the angles from which each piece would be frequently viewed, and determined the optimal lighting angles. To best manage reflections and amplify the visual impact of polished and matte tiles that respond differently to light, light sources were often introduced from several positions.

The marble statues were artistically illuminated to draw visitors’ eyes to elements that tell the story of the Cathedral and the Catholic Church.

More than a dozen lighting scenes have been programmed into the dimming control system to best accent the variety of interior cathedral activities. Though this renovation increased lighting levels by as much as 300%, the system’s energy consumption was reduced by nearly 80 percent.