Prairie Shores - Enhancing a Community with Architectural Lighting
Prairie Shores - Enhancing a Community with Architectural Lighting
Prairie Shores, located in Chicago’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood, offers residents a unique living experience with panoramic views of Lake Michigan and convenient access to the lakefront. This community comprises five high-rise apartment buildings but was lacking modern amenities that appeal to today’s residents. To correct this, building owners decided to construct a striking amenity center to foster a sense of community while offering luxury amenities. Containing fitness areas, grilling spaces, a rooftop terrace, cafe, game room, and co-working lounge, the center acts as a gathering place for residents. As part of the revitalization efforts, the team at Gensler collaborated with Erin Flaum, Partner and Design Director of Architectural Lighting Design at Zutalé Design, to incorporate architectural lighting solutions that would enhance the overall ambiance and aesthetics of the community.
The primary objective of the lighting design of the community center at Prairie Shores was to create a captivating and visually striking environment that complemented the contemporary reimagination of the neighborhood. The project achieved this by implementing a backlit facade that created a lantern effect, allowing the building to become a focal point for the community. The lighting design also aimed to imbue the space with a warm, inviting ambiance, bridging the gap between commercial and hospitality settings.
Erin Flaum collaborated with the renowned architectural firm Gensler, which was responsible for the project. One of the key challenges of the lighting design was deep soffits that limited accessibility to the lighting fixtures. Due to the tight architectural space, the fixtures were mounted within a narrow area, potentially making future maintenance, and servicing difficult. According to Erin: “We needed the light to be located at the top of the soffit in order to fully light the glass, but it needed to get all the way down because we did not want to light the soffit.”
Based on her experience and familiarity with various manufacturers, Flaum recommended QTL. Erin expanded on this decision: “Usually if we need something with a very specific optic that needs to perform a certain way, QTL is always in the running. I also appreciated QTL’s approachability and willingness to collaborate.” After careful consideration, a static white, 3000K VERS GRAZER was selected, including product customizations that QTL developed in collaboration with Zutalé Design. Notable enhancements encompass a uniquely tailored handle, enhancing accessibility for detaching the magnetically mounted fixtures when necessary.
In partnership with the electrical engineer, Flaum devised an intuitive control system aimed at ensuring optimal user experience for the building's proprietors. The primary emphasis was on configurable light levels, affording meticulous calibration during the installation phase. This endeavor delved into dimming capabilities, strategically enabled by a trio of pivotal LED power supplies - namely, the QOM-eLED, QTM-eLED, and QZ models. These power supply units collectively played a pivotal role in attaining the desired dimming levels, substantiating the project's commitment to adaptable illumination.
Through the collaborative efforts of Gensler, Erin Flaum and the design team at Zutalé Design, and QTL, the Prairie Shores project stands as a testament to the transformative power of architectural lighting. The Chicago apartment community has been elevated to new heights thanks to innovative use of light, creating a visually striking and inviting environment for residents and passersby alike.
