St.
Michael at the Northgate, Church, Oxford was identified as one of a
number of key buildings within the "Cross of Light" initiative,
funded by Mr and Mrs Iain Laing (former High Sheriff of Oxfordshire).
dpa lighting consultants were approached by Oxford
City Council to produce an appropriate architectural lighting design
that sympathetically modelled the Saxon Tower, church entrance and the
south elevation of the nave, so as to reinforce the vista and urban
geometry between the church and other projects within the first phase
of the initiative - Wesley Memorial Church and Exeter College Spire.
St. Michael at the Northgate, Church was the first of the "Cross
of Light" initiative lighting schemes to be implemented, in 2006.
The two remaining projects to be completed within a second phase are
St. Mary Magdalene Church at one end of Cornmarket Street and Carfax
Tower at the other end.
St.
Michael at the Northgate, Church is the centrepiece of the initiative,
being centrally located within Cornmarket Street, in the heart of Oxford.
The lighting scheme illustrates the historical building as a feature
and landmark at night. Sensitive lighting enhances this important crossing
within the urban street scene and significantly contributes to the nighttime
atmosphere to the pedestrian walkway.
