PROJECT STORY
Sixty-five custom LED ‘petals’ are suspended throughout this new hospital lobby for a beautiful sculptural artistic display of light and shadows. Each frame was made of an aluminium channel that was stretch-formed, welded to scale, and finished with a white powder coating for a light, fresh appearance. Acrylic lens diffusers were cut to the exact length and press-fit. LED lights were adhered to the inside channel of the frame to create the appearance of an effortless floating light.

Coordination of the electrical requirements of this installation was crucial since the transformers for the light rings were all located 40 to 50 feet away from the lobby in air-conditioned rooms. Detailed drawings with the locations of the junction boxes were provided to the general contractor for installation inside the ceilings so that all areas would be pre-wired. Custom plate covers were also produced.

Four different sizes of elliptical “petals” at six, eight, ten and twelve feet lengths were used in this design. The “random” placement of the petals along the length of the lobby was purposeful to allow for small adjustments to avoid sprinklers, air returns and other ceiling obstructions during installation. Each petal has three hang points of stainless steel aircraft cable connected to custom-milled aluminium ceiling anchors. The architect specified three different placement elevations to give a combination of light reflection and shadows on the ceiling. A subtle pattern embedded in the terrazzo floor provides a wayfinding path through the lobby to the rest of the hospital, which is echoed in the clusters of petals above.