Discreet fiber-Optic system shows collection in its best light.

It all started with a church steeple lighting project

Sandra Liotus Lighting Design, LLC have worked with the Willard House and Clock Museum (WHCM) for several years. The relationship started with WHCM conservator, David Gow, who learned about the firm after attending a Restoration and Renovation Conference lecture in Boston, given by the principals, Sandra Liotus and Sir David Crampton-Barden.

Gow commissioned SLLD for a custom lighting design for the Congregational Church of Grafton steeple which was built in 1837. David was overseeing its restoration over 20 years ago. He learned about the significant benefits of the firm’s Newport Flyer SL-150 Glass Fiber Optic Lighting systems, specifically developed to illuminate and preserve architecture, fine art, antiques and interiors.

The timeless benefits of a proper lighting system

The Newport Flyer lighting system was first introduced to WHCM when the Musical Clock Exhibition was being planned for in the main gallery.  Many of the clocks that were to be displayed and curated by museum trustee, Gary Sullivan, were from either private or museum collections and all were extremely valuable, therefore the method of which they were displayed and exhibited were crucial to meet insurance requirements of these precious time pieces.  Lighting is key in any exhibition or home where valuable items are displayed, so that harmful heat and ultra violet are not exposed to the pieces.  SLLD were commissioned to design the lighting for the main gallery which would be designed for permanent use and changing exhibitions. 

The technology behind the Newport Flyer lighting system

The Newport Flyer system is a glass fiber optic lighting system and has many benefits that include a total elimination of all infra-red (heat) and ultra violet frequencies from the projected spectrum. All light is created within the Newport Flyer lightsource, filtered and then projected through up to ten glass fiber optic tails per system to the output fittings.

Within the Newport Flyer, a high output arc lamp generates from a 150 watt lamp the equivalent of 450 watts of light from a conventional light bulb. This light is then filtered to remove all harmful frequencies before being tightly focused into the custom glass fiber optic harness.

At the output, SLLD hand turn and mill very small output fittings that can be adjusted and re-adjusted as many times as the owner wishes. The fittings that are used at WHCM can be directionally adjusted up to 45 degrees in any direction to suit changing exhibitions that will take place in the future. The focal adjustment is made using tiny lenses which SLLD create in a full range to give flexibility from a very tight spot to a full wash. All lenses are interchangeable. Each lens is a ground, camera quality glass precision engineered product. The fittings are so tiny that they become very discreet in the historic interior, so that the objects are lit without harsh and offending glare. 

Hiding the Willard House lighting system in plain sight

The Newport Flyer system is designed to be permanently installed lighting and to disappear in a historic house environment. The only part that will ever require any future maintenance is the Newport Flyer SL-150 lightsource where a lamp change is needed every 10,000 running hours. It is a UL approved device that is fully protected against both thermal and electrical overload and therefore makes its installation in an ancient structure totally safe. The glass fiber optic harness and output fittings are made from inorganic, non-ferrous components such as optical glass, aluminum and bronze that are completely devoid of wear by electrical and mechanical forces. The environment will not damage them and the ravages of time leave them totally unaffected. Once correctly installed it is fair to say that they will outlive the structure of the building itself.

Effective lighting is a meticulous, collaborative process

Nothing is left to chance where SLLD are concerned. Much of the work over the last three decades has been in the most celebrated private art collections in private houses, often being integrated in fully finished exquisite homes where no damage can be caused. Careful planning takes place both in the design and execution of the lighting solution.

As with all of its clients, the principals of SLLD personally undertook and supervised each and every step of the Willard House project from start to finish, carefully working with museum trustee and staff, making sure that every step was perfect. Once the collection was in place the principals personally focused the output fittings so that the lighting was ideal in preserving and displaying all pieces.

Continuous hands-on service and SLLD’s other clients

When the Willard House display changes, SLLD will again return and carry out a full re-focus. The principals take great pride in making sure that every display looks its best and never charge for their services when a lighting adjustment is needed.

It is true to say that SLLD have never damaged a single piece of art that they have lit. The project portfolio ranges from the Collection of the Late David Rockefeller Senior to the art and model collections of the New York Yacht Club. The experience gained working all over the world in palaces, cathedrals and museums puts the firm in a position where most obstacles have been found and overcome many times.

Sandra comments, “Even the most complex interiors can have this custom lighting system retrospectively installed and made to visually disappear leaving the feel of the environment unchanged.   The visitors and owners able to clearly see every detail of each item in the safest environment known to science.”

SLLD have enjoyed their long-term partnership with the WHCM and will continue to for decades to come.  Please feel free to visit their workshops and showroom in Newport, Rhode Island by appointment, to learn more in person.  Email Sandra at mailto:sandra.liotus@gmail.com.