Andromeda Illuminates Local Church

St. Mary’s Church in Byfleet, Surrey, holds a special place of importance in the local community - as a place of worship, and also as a building with significant historical interest. Built in 1310 to replace an older Saxon church, it retains a mediaeval wall painting and one of the thirteen consecration crosses from the time of its building. When Andromeda approached the church with the idea of donating a lighting control system, the challenge was to design a system which reflected the building’s practical use whilst sensitively standing alongside its history.

The resulting solution utilises Theben dimmers and Jung RF to KNX gateways to achieve a lighting system easily controllable via a handset. The system segments the church into individual groups which can be switched on, off and dimmed. There is also the facility to save lighting scenes which combine these individual areas. From a practical perspective, this allows the rector, Rev’d John McCabe, to illuminate only parts of the church which are being used, saving energy that would otherwise be needlessly expelled. Importantly, it also allows for the user to create atmospheres which support the service, and highlight specific areas of interest in the church.

This project has provided Andromeda with the opportunity to integrate a solution which demonstrates how simple and easy to use control systems can transform day to day practicalities, as well as co-existing with a period building.

Added: 13/05/2008 10:05:04