ERCO Case Study: Adapted double-focus pendants solve ceiling challenge in this Adelaide church
April 2026 Case Study
Promotion at Pilgrim, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Design enthusiasts are spoiled for choice enjoying the architectural diversity of places of worship in the City of Churches. Centrally located just off King William Street, the Pilgrim Uniting Church dates to the 1860s and is built in Gothic Revival style using local stone. Its active congregation is committed to being diverse and welcoming, reflected in their commitment to keeping the heritage-listed structure well maintained and up to date. This wonderful lighting outcome is largely thanks to the dedication of the Pilgrim Church Committee.
Uplighting and downlighting determine the scene
To keep the clean lines of the nave, a cream-coloured Barrisol stretch ceiling has been installed above the curved wooden ceiling skeleton. Initially, the design team installed recessed downlights with the ceiling, but the result provided inconsistent illumination from the different ceiling heights and angles. In addition, some of the luminaires failed and others suffered noticeable colour shift.
Engineers Secon and the heritage architect, Hosking Willis, sought an unobtrusive but effective lighting solution and turned to ERCO having had good previous experience. Working with Buckford Illumination’s Adelaide team, they selected the ERCO Atrium pendant. Controls allow the use of uplight alone - which emphasises the vast height of the church canopy, downlight alone - which draws attention to the pews and timber flooring, or both up and downlighting together, bringing the church to life and revealing the full detail of its architecture.
Activity and atmosphere
ERCO’s Atrium boasts high lumen output, ideal in such a large space. ERCO worked with the team to tailor extra-long suspension wires and connection cables to accommodate the height extremes, and to ensure consistent pendant height throughout.
Lighting scenes are programmed using DALI to deliver suitable settings for different events, from soft indirect lighting for a reflective mood during services to more focused direct lighting for choirs, performances and ceremonies.
Buckford Illumination SA
Headquartered in Melbourne and with offices across three states, Buckford Illumination is one of the largest specialist commercial lighting suppliers in Australia. Pilgrim Church was delivered by the Adelaide, SA office.
Pilgrim Uniting Church Adelaide
Pilgrim Uniting Church in Flinders Street, Adelaide, dates to the 1860s and welcomes an active congretation.
Secon Consulting Engineers
Based in Adelaide, Secon is a leading Building Services Engineering firm who are committed to delivering high-quality, tailored professional services.
Hosking Willis Architecture
Hosking Willis Architecture is a dedicated, passionate and creative team of professionals specialising in design and heritage related projects.
Duratec
Duratec is a solutions-driven contractor, specialising in the protection and remediation of steel and concrete.
Find out more about products used here:
Channel Partner: Buckford Illumination SA
Client: Pilgrim Uniting Church Adelaide
Consulting Engineer / Lighting Designer: Secon Consulting Engineers
Heritage Architect: Hosking Willis Architecture
Contractor: Duratec
Photographer: Jackie Chan
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