Professional
Competition Winners
Cooper Lighting’s 33rd Annual
National Lighting Design
Competition Winners
2009
Commercial
Professional
Cooper Lighting’s 33rd Annual
Winner
Lightbrigade Architectural Lighting Design, Toronto, ON
Design Team:Jesse Blonstein, Julia Vandergraaf and Diego Burdi [burdifilek]
Project: Murale, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Jesse Blonstein
Julia Vandergraaf
Diego Burdi
This 7000 sq. ft. beauty boutique was developed as a new store concept for an established Canadian retailer. The organic
layout of the displays in the space breaks from the uniform aisles typical of cosmetics stores. High-CRI fluorescent and
halogen-sourced fixtures were selected so a wide range of cosmetic products may be seen, sampled and selected
clearly and accurately. The selection of luminaires and detailing of architectural features ensured that light sources were
shielded from normal views, allowing the displays and product to have prominence.
Maintenance of the project is simplified through extensive use of fluorescent and LED fixtures, and is limited to only five
lamp types (not including LEDs). The fixtures and lamps include RSA MR16 halogen dowlights (one wattage and beamspread used throughout), T5 fluorescent striplights (three lengths used), and Metalux T8 fluorescent striplights. This prototype store was a success, leading to a national roll-out of stores in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.
Photography: Ben Rahn, A-Frame
Residential
Professional
Cooper Lighting’s 33rd Annual
Winner
Robert Singer & Associates, Inc., Basalt, Colorado
Design Team:Robert H. Singer, Chase Carter and Kim Quint
Project: Ridge Residence, Aspen, Colorado
Robert H. Singer
Chase Carter
Kim Quint
This high-end spec home spares no expense in creating a contemporary home that compliments its mountain surroundings. Architectural details throughout the home created opportunities for integrated lighting while some architectural elements required close coordination to ensure the lighting enhanced the space. The home needed to have flexibility both in style and layout. Iris PN3-MR16 downlights were used throughout the home to reduce glare while ensuring
the maximum adjustability of the fixtures. Each space focused on creating layers of light–ambient, task and accent all
contribute to the overall feel of a room. Linear uplighting highlights the craftsmanship of the wood ceilings, and creates
a warm glow on the plaster ceilings. A lighting control system is used in the home to provide the owner with a number of
scenes for both the common areas and bedrooms.
Photography: Michael Hefferon
Architects: Charles Cunniffe Architects
Commercial
Professional
Cooper Lighting’s 33rd Annual
Honorable Mention
Schuler Shook, Chicago, IL
Design Team:Jim Baney, Emily Klingensmith and Lindsey Fimek
Project: Three First National Plaza, Chicago, Illinois
Jim Baney
Emily Klingensmith
Lindsey Fimek
Three First National Plaza is a 57-story office building completed in 1981. The nine-story lobby features tiers of glazing. In 2009, the lighting and security systems were renovated to attract more tenants. Originally, 42 (500W) halogen
downlights hung below trusses. The lobby felt dark and uninviting–despite the significant glazing and southern exposure.
Heavily tinted glass minimized daylight transmission and vertical surfaces were dark. A two “bay” mockup confirmed that
lighting the truss makes the glass more transparent–thereby making the lobby appear open and welcoming. Uplight locations and a mounting-arm length were carefully selected. Lumière ceramic metal halide fixtures (70W) were integrated
with the trusses. During daylight, the uplights are off and carefully integrated trackheads illuminate elements below. The
new lighting consumes 38% less energy after dark and 72% less energy during daylight hours than the original scheme.
The project met the budget, complies with applicable codes, and creates a warm, welcoming space.
Photography: The Design Twist, Inc. and Schuler Shook
Commercial
Professional
Cooper Lighting’s 33rd Annual
Honorable Mention
Lightbrigade Architectural Lighting Design, Toronto, ON
Design Team:Jesse Blonstein, Julia Vandergraaf, Rhomney Forbes-Gray and Diego Burdi [Burdifilek]
Project: W Hotel, Atlanta, GA (Public Spaces)
Jesse Blonstein
Julia Vandergraaf
The W Hotel is a lush hideaway infused with natural elements and sensual style. The ground
floor lounge represents a modern interpretation of a park oasis in the centre of Atlanta’s
financial district. Carved wood panels, bentwood screens, a 35,000-piece metal-ribbon ceiling
sculpture spanning the lobby lounge and reception, and a floor-to-ceiling water feature are
elements intended to evoke a “wow”-factor. Wood walls and screens are grazed to emphasize
texture. Lights aimed from ceilings and walls through the suspended shimmering metal-ribbon
mobiles produce ever-changing glints of reflected light on the floor and ceiling. Halogen
fixtures bring out the warmth of the earthy materials palette, contrasted occasionally by coolwhite elements such as the glowing onyx fountain base and cast-resin reception stations. The
integration of lighting with interior design details continues through to the lobby restrooms,
where illuminated openings in the vanity mirrors provide cosmetic task light, yet also permit
views into the opposite restroom. In the condominium residents’ access corridor, lighting
dramatically emphasizes the carpet leading to the elevators, casting repeating reflections in
the polished black marble walls. The fourth floor ballroom and pre-function area incorporates
track lighting within a graphic pattern of ceiling slots, to accommodate the varying uses of
these spaces. The lighting design throughout interacts with all interior design elements, while
providing required functionality and flexibility for hotel operations. Cooper Lighting luminaires
include RSA downlights, Neo-RayT5 asymmetric cove fixtures, Lumière surface-mount gobo
projectors, Halo track lighting and recessed downlights and Metalux striplights.
Photography: Ben Rahn, A-Frame
Rhomney Forbes-Gray
Diego Burdi
Commercial
Professional
Cooper Lighting’s 33rd Annual
Honorable Mention
Focus Lighting, New York, NY
Design Team:Paul Gregory, Principal Designer
Ken Ventry, Project Lighting Designer
Scott Hay, Asst. Designer
Project: Mondrian Hotel, Miami, FL
Paul Gregory
Ken Ventry
Scott Hay
Working with designers Marcel Wanders Studio and Morgans Hotel Group (Mari Balestrazzi, Senior VP of Design), Focus
Lighting incorporated light into the stunningly unique décor at the Mondrian South Beach hotel. Throughout the space,
high contrast between wall planes, railings, furniture, textiles, and decorative fixtures made for some challenging lighting
needs. To bring out the beauty of dark oxidized metal or stitching on black leather, more light is required. However, when
these elements are placed against a stark white background, they require careful and balanced lighting to make sure the
space is well lit without being too bright. The overall feel of the Mondrian is somewhat whimsical and bold, yet it incorporates a chic and refined design philosophy. Cooper Lighting fixtures include Lumière accent fixtures illuminating the entry
and exterior, Halo and RSA downlights located throughout the space and RSA linear xenon accentuating details.
At the entry to the hotel, RSA AR111 Combo downlights spotlight voluminous white columns in the port cochère. Oversized gold bells are outfitted with crystal chandeliers and candelabra lamps. Inside to lobby, the back wall of the reception
desk is adorned with white discs backlit with RSA xenon linear strips (1400 Series), and highlighting from above with RSA
downlights. An elaborate black staircase takes command of the mostly white lobby space, leading up to the guest rooms.
A high-end vending machine with one-of-a-kind items is lit with fluorescent lamps and color gels to create a futuristic
look. Within the guest rooms, shelving units, bedside fixtures and standing lamps delineate seating areas and create task
lighting.
Photography: Courtesy Morgans Hotel Group
Commercial
Professional
Cooper Lighting’s 33rd Annual
Honorable Mention
Focus Lighting, New York, NY
Design Team:Paul Gregory, Principal Designer
Ken Ventry, Project Lighting Designer
Project: Royalton Hotel, New York, NY
Paul Gregory
Ken Ventry
The recent revitalization of the Royalton Hotel focuses on the intimacy of sensuous dark
spaces, luxurious materials and textured sculptural elements, all artfully lit to bring out
the subtleties and nuances of the decor. RSA halogen downlights provide general and
accent lighting throughout.
In the North Lounge at the front entry, dimmable halogen uplights accentuate the geometric forms and the wood grain partitions. The fireplace façade and the angular leather
wall are revealed with small profile halogen accents and dimmed to maintain long lamp
life. In the South Lounge, decorative fixtures create a playful composition overhead and
the delicate quality of the hand blown globes adds sparkle to the ceiling. A pre-set lighting control system is utilized throughout the project to define the mood in the morning,
afternoon, early evening, and late evening hours. Hidden RSA xenon linear strips in the
bar fascia and adjacent banquettes draw out the texture of the wooden wall planes and
handcrafted furniture.
Hand blown globe pendants are carried through to the restaurant to provide soft ambient
light at each seating area. Three-dimensional woven partitions add privacy and intimacy
during the dining experience and glow because of directional RSA halogen uplights
aimed at the inside planes of each woven sculpture. The sources are easily accessible
through the banquette’s millwork base. Seeded resin panels are backlit with low wattage
RSA linear xenon strips to sculpt the space and envelop diners in a warm and subtle
glow.
Photography: Marc Kuritzky
Residential
Professional
Cooper Lighting’s 33rd Annual
Honorable Mention
Adaptive Design Group, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT
Design Team:Glenn Merlin Johnson, Principal Lighting Design Jared M. Britton, Senior Associate Lighting Design
Project: Palm Desert Residence, Palm Desert, CA
Glenn Merlin Johnson
Jared M. Britton
This 32,000 sq. ft. residence is set on top of a desert mountain in Palm Desert. The client wanted very dramatic spaces
throughout the house while also being concerned with sustainability. To accomplish this, lighting fixtures were placed in
only key locations throughout the house and a large amount of energy-efficient LED fixtures were used. Cooper Lighting provided the majority of the fixtures including RSA, Iris and Portfolio downlights, io LED fixtures, Lumière landscape
fixtures and Metalux fluorescent fixtures. One of the client’s demands included utilizing square aperture downlights
throughout the interior and exterior of the home. RSA Accurus low voltage downlights provided the perfect solution of
aesthetically pleasant fixtures with internal adjustment capabilities allowing the trims to be lined up with the ceiling lines.
Another major demand was the use of LED fixtures and io Line Series 1.5 fixtures had the perfect balance of output,
color, and quality of light.
In the end, the client was very pleased with the outcome, realizing that the lighting played a major role. The couple loves
to show off their house to their friends, family, and anyone else who is simply curious about the beacon on the hill.
Photography: Erhard Pfeiffer
Residential
Professional
Cooper Lighting’s 33rd Annual
Award of Recognition
Robert Singer & Associates, Inc., Basalt, CO
Design Team:Robert H. Singer and Kim Quint
Project: Willow Court Residence, Aspen, CO
Robert H. Singer
Kim Quint
This contemporary mountain home is located adjacent to a golf course and within walking distance to a ski area. Because
of its notable location, the home needed to complement its surroundings and neighborhood, while asserting its presence
as a modern residence. Wood paneled vaulted ceilings throughout the upper level assist in creating an open welcome
space as you enter the home. Stone chimneys meet iron fireplaces melding the mountain with the contemporary. RSA
and Iris recessed downlights and linear lighting are used to highlight the architectural features and artwork while minimal
decorative lighting is found in the home at the request of the homeowner. Ambient lighting in the rooms is achieved with
uplight coves and linear accent details built into the millwork. Motorized shades throughout the home control solar gain
from morning sun and provide privacy. A lighting control system in the home helps manage energy use by allowing the
homeowner to easily shut off rooms, suites or entire levels as well as keeping the lights dimmed throughout the home.
Photography: David Marlow