LED specialist redefines the spiritual language of heritage spaces

Salisbury Cathedral – photography by James NewtonIn an age of restoration and renewal, few design elements carry as much emotional resonance or technical challenge as light. In places of worship and heritage architecture, light is more than visibility; it is revelation. Few understand that better than LED lighting specialists ERCO, whose quiet revolutionary work is redefining how sacred and historic spaces are perceived, preserved and experienced.

In an age of restoration and renewal, few design elements carry as much emotional resonance or technical challenge as light. In places of worship and heritage architecture, light is more than visibility; it is revelation. Few understand that better than LED lighting specialists ERCO, whose quiet revolutionary work is redefining how sacred and historic spaces are perceived, preserved and experienced.

A legacy of light

Founded in 1934, ERCO’s journey has been one of constant reinvention, from its early days as a family-run lighting business to its pioneering role in architectural lighting from 1965 onward. By 2015 ERCO had become the first classic luminaire manufacturer to focus exclusively on LED, leading a quiet revolution in sustainable light.

ERCO Lighting Ltd serves the market in the UK and Ireland for ERCO GmbH. Based in their iconic Dover Street showroom in London – established in 1979 – the team continues a tradition of partnership with architects, designers and conservation experts.

“For decades we have been trusted to deliver stunning lighting solutions across cathedrals, churches, mosques and temples,” said managing director Jim Ashley-Down. “Our expertise has made us the go-to lighting company for so many of the world’s religious buildings – from Salisbury Cathedral, Sherborne Abbey, Newcastle Cathedral and St Patrick’s Cathedral to international landmarks like Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavik and the great cathedrals of Milan, Siena and Toledo.”

Lighting as an act of contemplation

ERCO’s approach is rooted in sensitivity rather than spectacle. As outlined in its Contemplation design guide, light in religious and heritage spaces must serve both function and feeling. Diffuse ‘wallwashing’ brings softness and clarity to vertical surfaces, while pinpoint accenting isolates an altar, a sculpture or an inscription, inviting pause and reflection.

ERCO’s luminaires are intentionally discreet, designed to vanish into the architecture. An embodiment of the company’s ethos, Light, not luminaire, the focus remains not on the fitting but the effect: a calm, glare-free glow that supports reading, worship and prayer. The result is a visual serenity that complements centuries-old stonework without competing with it.

Sala Capitular, Toledo Cathedral – photography by Nano CañasA modern light for medieval grandeur: Salisbury Cathedral

When Salisbury Cathedral undertook the monumental task of upgrading its interior lighting, the goal was twofold: to reduce environmental impact and to reveal beauty previously hidden in shadow. Working in partnership with Spectrum Electrical Group, ERCO replaced halogen fittings with precise LED luminaires, cutting energy use by over 80% and reducing CO2 emissions by nearly 30 tonnes per year

“The cathedral is better lit than at any time during its 800-year history,” said Canon Kenneth Padley, Canon Treasurer, praising the transformation’s balance of technology and tact.

The new scheme improved accessibility, reduced maintenance demands and also unveiled architectural nuances – from medieval paintings to concealed masonry – that had long gone unnoticed. The refurbishment has brought the architecture, and its spiritual atmosphere, to life.

As Steve Thompson, sales director for UK and Ireland, reflected: “Spaces like Salisbury Cathedral are at the heart of their communities, and we’re proud that our lighting helps bring people together for worship, reflection and celebration.”

Respecting history; revealing detail: Toledo Cathedral

In Spain, ERCO’s work at the Sala Capitular (Chapter House) of Toledo Cathedral demonstrates another facet of its ethos: precision and respect. The 16th-century space, adorned with frescoes by Juan de Borgoña and portraits of archbishops, required a solution that highlighted artistry without harm.

ERCO’s Parscan wallwashers and Pollux contour spotlights brought out texture and colour without glare, while a discreet Hi-trac system softly uplit the gilded ceiling. The result is renewed clarity, with art and architecture once again reading as one composition under the quiet guidance of light.

A modern light for modern worship: Hallgrímskirkja, Iceland

In Reykjavik, the iconic Hallgrímskirkja church has embraced a transformative lighting solution that harmonises tradition with innovation.

Collaborating with lighting designer Liska ehf, ERCO and Casambi Technologies developed a smart, wireless lighting system tailored to the church’s dynamic environment. The system integrates tuneable white and RGBW luminaires, enabling versatile lighting scenes that adapt to various events and seasons. The thoughtfully-designed lighting enhances the church's architectural beauty and supports human-centric lighting principles, fostering a contemplative atmosphere for worshippers and visitors alike.

Hallgrímskirkja, Iceland – photography by Örn ErlendssonInnovation with reverence

What distinguishes ERCO’s work is its balance of technological precision and emotional intelligence. Its lens-based LED optics allow fine control of beam distribution, enabling lighting designers to shape spatial hierarchies that honour heritage fabric.

Equally, ERCO’s commitment to sustainability, embodied in its Greenology initiative, places ecological stewardship at the heart of product design. That aligns closely with the Church of England’s net-zero ambitions and the wider heritage sector’s sustainability goals.

From Herz Jesu Church in Munich to Newcastle Cathedral, each project shares a defining characteristic: a deep understanding that in sacred spaces, the best lighting does not dominate; it serves.

Across faiths and forms, ERCO’s philosophy holds true: light in sacred architecture is not just illumination, it is interpretation. As ERCO notes: “Light visualises the presence of the divine, lends splendour and importance and guides the faithful toward the essential.”

In the stewardship of heritage, light becomes the final brushstroke: a tool for conservation, contemplation and connection. And in ERCO’s hands that brushstroke has never been more respectful or more revealing. Light, after all, is not only what allows us to see: it is what allows us to believe.

• For more information visit www.erco.com/contemplation.