Photographing Light in Historic Architecture
A Project By: Paul O’Connell Photography
For a recent collaboration with ZG Lighting (UK) Limited, I travelled to the coastal town of Dingle in the south of Ireland to photograph the newly completed lighting installation at the refurbished Sacred Heart University. Set against the dramatic landscape of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, the project presented a rare opportunity to document how contemporary lighting design can enhance both historic and modern architecture within a single campus.
Originally constructed in the 19th century as a Christian Brothers School, the building has stood as a cornerstone of regional education since 1860. Its distinctive stone detailing, arched windows, and ecclesiastical proportions remain central to its identity, carefully preserved throughout the restoration process. The challenge, and success, of the project lies in how new architectural interventions sit confidently alongside this heritage fabric.
Internally, the lighting scheme introduces a sense of clarity and rhythm to teaching and communal spaces. Circular luminaires hover lightly above classrooms and social areas, bringing softness and balance while reinforcing the building’s geometry. The lighting supports functionality without overwhelming the historic envelope, allowing materials, textures, and proportions to remain the focus.
Externally, the project becomes particularly striking at dusk. Carefully positioned luminaires articulate the original facades, while the contemporary extension is defined through crisp linear lighting and illuminated glazing. The contrast between old and new is deliberate yet harmonious, the historic structure grounded and familiar, the modern addition confident and forward-looking.
Photographing the site offered a compelling study in contrast: warm interior light against the deep Atlantic blues of evening, heritage masonry meeting angular modern cladding, and light acting as the unifying element throughout.
My thanks to Emma Cronin and Philip Dewey for their invaluable help in coordinating access and logistics throughout the shoot. This project stands as a strong example of how sensitive lighting design can extend the life and relevance of historic educational architecture well into the future.
The project’s balance of heritage, innovation, and visual storytelling reflects the kind of architectural narrative more often associated with features found in Architecture Vogue Magazine & Luxury Property Magazine.
