Historic Lighting—Saint or Sinner?

Abstract

Although light is essential to see, along with unfavourable temperature and humidity levels, it is one of the most destructive elements for cultural heritage. Continued exposure to infra-red radiation, usually emitted by all light (natural or man-made), may dry out fugitive organic materials like wood, textiles, paper, leather, ivory, lacquer and feathers to unacceptable levels. Ultra-violet radiation causes irreversible fading.

Introducing electric light into older buildings, where it was never used originally, often presents a problem. The maintenance, repair, upgrading or new installation of any modem mechanical or electrical system, if not done competently and with sensitivity, may cause horrendous cost overruns, untold aggravation, or even irreversible damage to original design and fabric.

Now there is a lighting tool with long sought-after features of safety; ease of use; economy of installation, operation and energy; unobtrusiveness and longevity. It is glass-fibre-optics. It is not meant to supplant conventional products, but to be employed either in combination with traditional products or, where it can do a better job, on its own. As it is virtually free of harmful infra-red and ultraviolet radiation, it can substantially delay the inevitable deterioration by all types of light. Miniaturized, it is discreet, thus eminently suited for use in historic settings. It is very energy efficient and long lasting, requires minimal maintenance and affords prompt payback on investment. Its halogen-free ‘green’ components create a cool, glare-free environment that enhances architectural design, and improves personal comfort, increasing productivity, attendance, and sales.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gersil Kay

Biography

Gersil N. Kay AIA/HRC, IESNA, AIC, SAH

Gersil Kay is the founder and Chairman of Building Conservation International, a non-profit technical educational organization; President of Conservation Lighting International, a full-service company pioneering in glass-fibre-optic functional architectural and museum lighting; and appointed member for the national ASHRAE/IESNA (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers/Illuminating Engineering Society of North America) project committee on Standard 90.1–1999 for energy conservation. She is adjunct professor in architectural and engineering programmes at a number of universities; organizes continuing professional education courses for various professional bodies, foreign institutions and associations; is the author of Fiber Optics in Architectural Lighting (McGraw-Hill, 1999) and various papers in American, Canadian and British professional publications, and contributed to Historic Preservation: Project Planning and Estimating (R.S. Means, 2000); and is an international consultant.