Trinity Church

Stained glass is an ancient art that transforms the sunlight streaming through windows into visual stories, and illuminates otherwise dark interiors. For centuries, stained glass has, by nature of its composition, been an art form to be appreciated from the inside.

But Manhattan’s historic Trinity Church had another idea. For the east-facing window above their Broadway and Wall Street entrance, they wondered why they couldn’t share the beauty with people outside.

There was a practical reason for this location as well. The church’s new organ and its components would effectively block the window. To make up for the loss of the window from the inside, the design focused on using the exterior of the window as a focal point.

The window was created over three years by British artist Thomas Denny and depicts the Parable of the Talents, crafted in his signature blending of old and new techniques. The installation of the rich, detailed images into the Gothic Revival windows was as expected. However, to create a “reverse” effect, another element was added: light.

Nanometer mounted their planar NanoBoard fixtures behind the glass so that the imagery would be illuminated from the inside facing out. The result is a striking beacon that can be seen from far away, welcoming visitors inside.

The low profile of the NanoBoard fixtures allow them to be mounted behind the window without taking up extra space or creating bulk inside the frame, integrating seamlessly into the historic architecture. The consistent spacing of the LEDs ensure even illumination, so no detail is lost to viewers on the street.

What’s more, the LEDs can be programmed to mimic the shifting of natural light, allowing the window to respond to its surroundings, and for the details to take on new life depending on the moment. This allows viewers to have a dynamic experience with the piece as different details emerge at different times of day.