Luminis Helps Light a T-Rex
The Frisco Public Library in Frisco, Texas, is home to the world’s largest-scale dinosaur replica — and that wasn’t the only lighting challenge.
According to a case study published by lighting manufacturer Luminis, the design team at Gensler – which served as the designer and architect for the project – also had to contend with the high ceilings of the existing building (which at one point was the headquarters for rocket factory Beal Aerospace) when creating a cozy atmosphere for the new library.
Dallas-based lighting agency Architectural Lighting Alliance (ALA) collaborated with Gensler to develop the lighting plan for the 158,068-sq.-ft. building, which is the sixth-largest public library in Texas.
“One of the biggest challenges of this project was marrying the library’s lighting objectives with the infrastructure of the existing building,” said Tim Filesi, specification sales at ALA. “And we had to work very closely with the head librarian. She was adamant that the new facility not have any unnecessary shadows that would encumber book readers or visitors anywhere on the premises.”
The library’s main concourse – where “Rexy” the dinosaur stands – has a substantially high ceiling able to comfortably fit Rexy, who measures 22 feet high x 42 feet long. According to the case study, the original plan was to suspend direct/indirect luminaires directly from the deck. As the team worked through extensive calculations, it was discovered that the support members could not handle this load. When a catenary lighting system was proposed, the team selected Luminis’ Syrios SY806 pendants.
“We had seen a catenary solution on another Luminis project, so we were confident of what could be achieved,” Filesi said. “We knew they could offer great optics, high-quality material, and a good lumen package in a complete system that would work well in a catenary product.”
A total of 84 Syrios Round SY806 cylinders are suspended with the catenary system over the concourse. Each luminaire offers direct and indirect illumination; an R55 wide flood optic was selected for the downlight to ensure the light successfully illuminates spaces two stories below.
Getting the color temperature right was critical. Filesi and the team selected 3000K as it is comfortable, inviting, and brings warmth to wooden stairs and surrounding wooden finishes.
Syrios’ white cylinder blends seamlessly into the space, allowing the dinosaur to be the focal point.
“It looks even more beautiful than the photos show,” Filesi commented. “The light is crisp, there are no unnecessary shadows, it’s uniform, bright, and welcoming.”
Photography: Connie Zhou
Article Source: Luminis case study
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