St Luke's had stood in a derelict condition since 1959 when the building was abandoned due to subsidence, a phenomenon that had started within two years of its completion in 1733.

Being a Hawksmoor designed building it had avoided complete demolition but was in very poor condition when the LSO first became interested in converting the building into a rehearsal, recital and recording venue. The interventions are uncompromisingly modern, and the brief for the lighting was to help reflect the tension between the repaired original fabric and the new build elements. It is a concert hall, and the most important element of the lighting design was to achieve uniformly high levels of illumination over the whole area of the hall to enable total flexibility of orchestra location and orientation.

The main hall is illuminated by two entirely separate lighting rigs mounted on the high level galleries. A system of 575 watt Source Four PAR lanterns provide dimmable lighting to 1000 Lux at floor level, and separate 150 watt CDM-T Source Four PAR lanterns provide similar levels of illumination for all non performance activities within the hall. The side balconies are lit by means of purpose made up/downlighting luminaires.

The uplighting element provides illumination to the wood panelled roof, which was unfortunately finished with gloss varnish rather than matt, leading to some semi specular lamp reflections.

The undersides of the balconies house recessed low voltage downlights providing a degree of illumination to the walkaways. Tungsten halogen uplights sit between the two layers of glazing within the window reveals and help to articulate these elements. Emergency lighting is provided by maintained luminaires fed via a 240v static inverter system.

Exterior lighting consists of iGuzzini Radius luminaires mounted on the external window sills and 150 watt CDM-TC floodlights, both narrow and medium beam, lighting three sides of the obelisk steeple.

All lighting to the basement area was designed by Light & Design Associates with the exception of plant and utility spaces. These include the cafe and the Gamalan Room.

• Lighting Design: Light and Design Associates - James Morse
• Architects: Levitt Bernstein, Axel Burrough
• Lighting Solutions: iGuzzini Radius, ETC Source 4 PAR, Concord:marlin LV downlights, DID Lighting Xenon strip lighting system, Lightform Bespoke Direct/Indirect fixture to Light + Design Associates design, Delta Light Ltd twin AR111 gimbal fixtures, Zumtobel Staff Mellowlight