Epstein-Designed Amenity Space Received Award of Merit

We are pleased to share that Renata Pajerska, Epsteins Senior Lighting Design Lead, received an Award of Merit from The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America for her lighting design of the amenity space at the 600 West Fulton Street building, which happens to be our Chicago headquarters.

For this project, Epstein provided Design-Build services for this new tenant amenity space, which was fully converted from a basement-like, rarely-used storagearea. The project, designed and engineered by Epstein, features a new fitness center and a yoga studio. According to Renata, the rugged look of the fitness center is complemented by the industrial-look lighting, yet aligned in a fun way to create an interesting arrangement which adds dynamic ambiance to the space.

The discrete character of the yoga studios light fixtures create an invisible shelf wrapping around the space, without any direct view to avoid glare. The grazing element was added only where needed to emphasize the exposed historic brick walls, a late 1800s structure that once served as the headquarters for Sears and Roebuck. All of that aims to create a minimalistic yet powerful and, at the same time, relaxing approach. Additionally, each of these lighting strategies are controlled and dimmed individually.

In addition, the renovation also has a new tenant lounge, equipped with a shuffle board, kitchen with healthy vending options, private telephone rooms and ample seating for any occasion. The spaces numerous seating arrangements are flexible to rearrange; and the lighting design philosophy follows that flexibility. Furthermore, the choice of decorative light fixtures was carefully analyzed. The selected fixtures provide adequate functional ambient light levels, while offering an elegant and artistic solution to complement the spaces ambiance.

The linear wall washers, containing a unique 90-degree uplight component, were carefully chosen and strategically placed to eliminate the cave effect on the ceiling while simultaneously filling the whole wall mural with light.

And some fun lighting installation over the shuffleboard provides a combination of a decorative element with a task light.

When viewed from the amenity space perspective, all wall washers and shuffleboard lighting blends in with the walls nature scene mural. The phone booths' pendants also become "invisible" when looking from the outside. Additionally, "fake" windows are created with concealed linear lighting to provide and expand the sense of spaciousness within this area without any natural light.

The Award of Merit recognizes exceptional interior lighting projects that balance the functional illumination of space with the artistic application of light to enhance the occupants experience. Congratulations, Renata, who worked tremendously hard on this lighting design project!