Bagsværd Kirke, North Copenhagen, DK

Jørn Utzon's Bagsværd Kirke in North Copenhagen is an excellent example of thoughtful lighting. The sanctuary is light mostly by daylight that enters through large clerestory windows.

The light from these windows is softened by the white concrete curve of the south chapel wall. Thus, the daylight that enters the space is indirect and subtle but still able to light the majority of the sanctuary. The light through these clerestory windows also serves to define the shapes of the poured-in-place concrete.

Because the daylight is the focus of the space, the need for electrical light is minimized. However, the daylight is supplemented by strips of electrical bulbs. These lights serve to delineate the side aisles of the sanctuary, as well as give the church a warm light in the evenings.