THREE THREE FIVE. An Upscale Private Dining Experience.

Paige, Reinhardt, and Brennan, can you share a little bit of your background with us?

PAIGE: I am a lighting designer for SmithGroup, a fully integrated nationally recognized architectural design firm. My approach to design is to be aesthetically driven, but technically sound, while emphasizing the human experience. Through a local Denver design competition, my design partner and I were given the unique opportunity to participate in a 4-hour charette for this project. We were awarded the winning design, after which Brennan took over and executed to completion. It was a wonderful example of designers, reps, manufacturers, and clients designing hand-in-hand which led to an incredibly impactful design solution we were all very proud of.

REINHARDT: Likewise, I am a lighting design and computational designer at SmithGroup. My passion lies at the intersection of architecture, theory, computation, sustainability, and aesthetics.

BRENNAN: I lead Mazzetti’s Lighting Design Studio from our Denver office with 25 years of experience but was born in Green Bay. We embrace an integrated approach to design and focus on artful lighting solutions that are technically advanced and environmentally responsible.

Before we dive into the lighting design of this project, can you share some details about the Three Three Five space for those that might not be familiar with it?

BRENNAN: The historic building was constructed in 1907, and the space had extremely low ceiling heights, with an open wood structure ceiling. The space holds one of the largest wine selections in Wisconsin, often hosting high-end clients in a variety of event types from social gatherings, wine events and even full course dinner events.

How did you incorporate Luminii’s STENOS micro-optics products into the overall design concept?

REINHARDT: Challenges on this renovation project included low ceilings, existing structure, condensed construction schedule, reflective surfaces, and balancing contrast. The Luminii STENOS micro-optic projects allowed us to seamlessly integrate systems in between existing tight spaces with aimable optics that still achieved an adequate level of accent and build contrast and hierarchy effectively.

Can you discuss any specific challenges you encountered that STENOS helped you overcome as you were working through the details of this project?

BRENNAN: The STENOS was a great fit for the project. The flexibility of the mounting hardware combined with the flexibility of the lighting modules helped the design and installation address the existing conditions in a 100+ year old building with a lot of unique and unknown conditions. The design was striving for quiet luminaires that would allow occupants to focus on the visual candy in the space, and not on the luminaires themselves. The quiet light sources and smooth dimming were a perfect fit!

What were the main objectives or goals you had in mind when designing the lighting for this project?

PAIGE: The lighting concept “Expanding the Table” re-envisioned the user experience in the cellar to provide a more intimate, visually engaging space which better aligns with the high-end experiential cuisine curated upstairs. Conceptually, the lighting scheme invites conversations and seeks to ground the cellar with a unique sense of place. The main goals for lighting treatment were to select a system that was small-scale and highly concealed within the tight space but also future-thinking and provided maximum flexibility for current day use and future use. Scenes were developed for user selection of preferred spatial composition, while concealed lighting treatments blend seamlessly into existing structure.

What aspects of STENOS stood out to you the most during the design process?

REINHARDT: STENOS provides designers with an ultra-compact and high performing lighting system. It disappears within the architectural space while providing excellent quality light on the surfaces where you need it. These attributes are perfect for the shallow wine cellar, a space filled with unique objects and surfaces.

In what ways did the performance of STENOS contribute to the overall ambiance or mood you were trying to create?

PAIGE: The performance of the micro-optics really helped the lighting treatments to go away visually in space, mitigating glare and effectively hiding their presence within the ceilings. Due to the versatility of the track, the ability to shift / adjust tight optic accent layers to perfectly align with real-life conditions and better achieve our intended hierarchy of brightness within the space. Finally, the small scale of all the components really helped us integrate into the irregular existing spaces.

Were there any customization or special adaptations you made to STENOS to better suit the project’s needs?

BRENNAN: We used the two channel systems with dim to zero functionality to create 15 control zones across a small space to provide the owner with ultimate flexibility. A wireless control system allowed for an easier installation given the existing conditions of the historic building. We designed the project with a variety of modules with varying distributions, sizes, and output to allow the installation flexibility in the final aim and focus give the unique site conditions.

How did you address energy efficiency and sustainability considerations in the selection and use of STENOS?

REINHARDT: From the start, efficacious LEDs provide energy savings over traditional sources. Additionally, we were very strategic about where and how many fixtures we really needed to achieve the desired effect. Our approach was restrained while not being limited.

BRENNAN: While we had a fair amount of equipment, most of the lights were dimmed to exceptionally low levels. Having the dim to zero and two channel control capabilities helped reduce the actual load in the space, which also enhanced our energy efficiency.

Can you share any feedback or reactions you received from clients or end-users regarding the lighting design and the use of STENOS?

PAIGE: The team delivered a design that expands the visual field, uses contrast to build hierarchy, and truly transforms a previously dim and misbalanced existing environment. Theorized originally during a charette, as part of a local design competition between peers, this project leveraged designers, vendors, and chef/owner alike with a hands-on approach to effectively design, build, and bring to fruition together. Given the atypical approach to the process, the project was executed quite beautifully, and the client loved the seamless integration and scenes for day-to-day use of the space.

BRENNAN: I have heard from the owner that he gets a lot of compliments on the lighting in this space. It has transformed the space from a cellar into a luxurious space hosting high-end clients and events.

Did the installation and setup of STENOS pose any logistical or technical challenges?

BRENNAN: The STENOS did the opposite as it was very flexible in the mounting and ability to move/adjust modules. The one challenge would be that it would be nice to have a “T” joiner. We had lights in the center of joists, and having the ability to aim lights in perpendicular directions would have been ideal. (The L joiner would not have worked, but a T would have been great!).

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently in terms of utilizing STENOS in this project?

BRENNAN: The one item that we might change would be using less product. We ended up filling most of the STENOS tracks with modules during the design, but during the installation, we realized that the modules distributed light very effectively, and we could use fewer modules on the project. (This also created some desirable drama and contrast in the space.) The owner ended up with nice attic stock, and he is thinking about adding some additional sections of STENOS, so they will end up getting used in an adjacent space.

For our up-and-coming lighting designers out there, can you give them a piece of your wisdom or a nugget of advice when it comes to tackling a project like this one?

PAIGE: Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo and continuously challenge design. Sometimes the standard, typical solution may be “good” but the innovative, out-of-the-box solution can be unexpected and novel. A strong concept has the power to humanize the design process and invite people into the design process, to understand the true purpose and impact of the solutions.

REINHARDT: learn to love light, both technically and poetically. As you experience buildings or cities, observe closely the light, atmosphere, and materials. Build up this database of space, light, and pair it with your technical knowledge to find novel and beautiful solutions.

Last question, what is the first word that comes to mind when you think of STENOS?

PAIGE: Sleek.

REINHARDT: Inconspicuous.

BRENNAN: Effective.

This was so insightful, thank you so much for your time! To learn more about STENOS please check out stenos.lighting to learn more or reach out to your local sales representative for a demo or sample today.