Zumtobel and Thorn Transform Sacred Heart University Dingle Campus

Perched on the rugged Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland, the Sacred Heart University Dingle campus occupies the restored 19th-century Christian Brothers School building—a protected structure and landmark of regional education since 1860. Overlooking the Atlantic, the coastal town of Dingle is celebrated for its dramatic seascapes and vibrant cultural heritage, making it an inspirational setting for the university's study-abroad programmes.

In March 2025, Minister Norma Foley officially opened the €12 million redevelopment, which repurposed the historic masonry and gabled roofs into modern teaching spaces, breakout areas, a library, and support facilities—while retaining the structure's architectural integrity and local character.

A Lighting Manufacturer to Meet Expectations

Giles O'Connor Consultant Engineer, MRG Consulting Engineers & Architects and Freeman Electrical Services set exacting performance and heritage sensitivity standards. Giles O'Connor, Consultant Engineer, comments:

Integrating modern lighting technology into a 19th-century landmark presented unique structural and electrical challenges. Zumtobel and Thorn's response gave us the confidence to specify a solution that delivers precise, glare-free illumination while preserving the building's historic fabric and withstanding the harsh coastal environment.

Early in the design phase, the Zumtobel Group team was asked to switch the proposed recessed SLOTLIGHT infinity II to a surface-mounted system for value engineering. To demonstrate the merits of the original design, Zumtobel produced a detailed 3D model and animated walkthrough, showcasing how SLOTLIGHT infinity II delivers uniform, glare-free illumination with minimal ceiling impact, convincing the client to continue as planned.

A light for every location

At Sacred Heart, lighting plays a pivotal role in enhancing both the function and character of the renovated spaces. In the classrooms and seminar rooms, Beta 3, Chalice 3, and IQ Wave luminaires have been carefully selected to provide uniform, glare-free illumination ideal for learning environments. To accentuate the heritage stonework within the interior, VIVO track-mounted spotlights subtly highlight the original features, offering a visual reminder of the building’s storied past. In the open areas of the new modern extension, custom-made SLOTLIGHT infinity II Round pendants in bold red, a nod to Sacred Heart’s corporate colours, serve as striking focal points. These are complemented by recessed SLOTLIGHT infinity II fittings that deliver clean, contemporary general lighting.

Meanwhile, in the stairwells, the same red Slot pendants create an architectural feature, partnered with Novaline wall luminaires to ensure safe, well-lit circulation spaces. Mary O'Connell, Conservation Architect with MRG Consulting Engineers & Architects describes,

Our vision was to transform the former Christian Brothers School into a contemporary learning campus whilst embracing its heritage character. The collaborative process with Zumtobel and Thorn allowed us to fine-tune every luminaire's placement, effect and colour temperature, resulting in spaces that feel authentic to the building’s heritage and architectural roots and perfectly suited to modern pedagogy.

All interior luminaires are equipped with absence and daylight sensors that automatically adjust output to match occupancy and natural light, ensuring an energy-efficient, well-lit environment.

Standing up to the most demanding conditions

Given Dingle's coastal location, Thorn's outdoor luminaires were specified with C5 corrosion-resistant finishes. Urba Bollards were retrofitted with power outlets to support future campus events. Raze floodlights, Isaro Pro and Urba lanterns, Piazza luminaires, Contrast architectural floodlights, and Eroa façade uplights were all selected for their durability and refined aesthetic to complete the exterior scheme.

Sensitive Use of Colour Temperature

Internally, the lighting design balances warmth and focus: communal areas are specified at 3000 K to foster a welcoming ambience while teaching rooms and offices use 4000 K to promote alertness and concentration.

Transitioning outdoors, a carefully tuned mix of colour temperatures, slightly warmer tones for sandstone elements, and cooler whites for limestone details creates striking visual contrast. This nuanced strategy not only highlights the building's architectural character but also establishes the campus as a nocturnal focal point.

Alan Freeman, Freeman Electrical Services, states,

As the electrical contractor, our priority was a scheme that was robust, serviceable and future-proof. Zumtobel and Thorn made the installation straightforward; today's low-maintenance, energy-efficient solution will serve SHU Dingle for decades to come.

Low Energy, Low Maintenance, Maximum Impact

Today, the SHU Dingle campus boasts a highly energy-efficient, low-maintenance lighting scheme. These tailored environments support both relaxation and concentration and are a heritage-respecting solution praised by students, faculty, and the wider community. Combining the Zumtobel Group brands' expertise, the project sets a new benchmark for beautifully lit learning environments.

Philip Dewey, Key Account Manager at Thorn and Zumtobel Lighting, was invited by Alan Freeman to support the Sacred Heart University (SHU) project. Reflecting on the brief, Philip noted:

When asked to assist, I began by researching SHU’s American campus to better understand its identity and atmosphere. It was important to me that students studying in Ireland felt a strong connection to their home campus. As part of the lighting design, I wanted to incorporate SHU’s corporate colours into select feature luminaires, blending a sense of belonging with visual impact, while ensuring optimal lighting performance across all spaces. The building itself holds historical significance, and I aimed to accentuate those architectural details through careful illumination. Internally, that meant balancing modern, functional lighting with subtle heritage highlighting. For the exterior, I chose a dynamic mix of 4000K and 3000K colour temperatures to enhance the façade and make the structure stand out after dark. This project has certainly been a standout for both Zumtobel and Thorn. It exemplifies the harmony of modern lighting technology with heritage architecture, particularly meaningful in a building originally constructed in 1890.