Sutton Vane Associates designed the lighting scheme for Durham Cathedral Shop and Foyer, part of the designated Durham Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage Site. The scheme emphasises the architectural features within the shop and foyer while making the space suitable for displaying merchandise.

The vaulted undercrofts are a key feature throughout the spaces. They attract visitors into the shop. Uplighters were installed in the floor to light the columns and the ceiling. Light reflecting off these features helps to provide ambient light. Very small surface mounted downlights are concealed in the apex of the arches for emergency lighting.

Lighting is integrated into the display cases in the shop to illuminate merchandise and to eliminate the requirement for any visible spotlights. All of the lighting throughout the shop and foyer is integrated into a flexible control system which can be used to emphasise the architecture or merchandise depending upon the use of the space. The foyer has higher light levels to help visitors’ eyes adapt as they move in from daylight outside into the shop.

The highly successful scheme won a 2014 Lighting Design Award.