WE-EF Illuminates a Rare Piece of Architectural History
The Piece Hall in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, is the only remaining example of an eighteenth century northern cloth hall, a prestigious building where trading of woollen cloth “pieces” produced by handloom weavers took place. It was intended to create a more competitive and efficient market, discourage fraudsters as well as make a statement of the wealth of Halifax and the importance of the cloth trade during that time. The building combined commercial and cultural values of the surrounding community by creating this vast and highly prominent building, and those values continue in its use today.
This important, Grade I listed building has been through a £19 million conservation programme, with funding from the Calderdale Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project adapted the building into a new cultural and commercial centre for all to enjoy. Piece Hall now houses restaurants, shops, cafes and conference facilities. The objective of the project was to treat this unique property with the upmost of care. For such a sensitive project, the need for a high quality and expert finish in all aspects was required to ensure that this piece of history can be enjoyed for many years to come.
WE-EF was chosen to provide the luminaires that provided the high specification and reliability that this sensitive project required.
The ETC130-GB ingrounduplight luminaire was chosen to illuminate all of the structure’s pillars to highlight the stunning architecture of this influential building. WE-EF’s ETC140-GB inground luminaires were also used to light up the grand entrance arches and highly-decorated doors.
In addition to highlighting the building’s architectural features, WE-EF RAIL66 with FLC121 luminaires were installed in the corners of the square to add ambient illumination that prevents them from appearing as dark spaces.
The project was completed in July 2017 by Graham Contractors and the complex was reopened in August 2017. It is now operated by a new independent body, The Piece Hall Trust.
