IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH

Client: Immaculate Conception Church
Design Architect: Bero Architects
Historic Restoration: Swiatek Studios
Principle Lighting Designer: Andrew DG Hunt

Church Lighting Design
Ithaca, New York
Completed 2025

Project description below photos

The Immaculate Conception Church had been renovated in the 90s to remove ornamentation and decoration following the vogue in church decoration. The goal of our rehabilitation was primarily to restore a sense of the grand by reinstalling sacred art and plasterwork that had been stripped out. The congregation is very proud of the windows but wanted the primary focus on entry to be the altar and reredos in the eastern apse of the church at the end of the central aisle. The generally older congregants also wanted to see their bibles and the celebrants on the Dais better, this became the most important task for the project. Secondarily religiously significant sculptural features were to be highlighted where possible.

During hours of non-worship, the illumination of the space needed to draw the eye to key elements for contemplation, reflection, and prayer. Highlighted Elements include:

  • Altar and Reredos

  • Sacramental Statues and Side Altars

  • Baptistry

  • Confessionals

  • Stations of the Cross

  • Our Lady Mary Statue