The Lighting Control Innovation Award was created in 2011 as part of the Illuminating Engineering Society’s Illumination Awards program, which recognizes professionalism, ingenuity and originality in lighting design. LCA is proud to sponsor the Lighting Control Innovation Award, which recognizes projects that exemplify the effective use of lighting controls in nonresidential applications.
This month, we will explore an innovative installation of lighting controls at Forward Medical SF, a healthcare facility in San Francisco. Design by Hiram Banks Lighting Design. Lighting controls by Ketra.
Forward Health is a modern medical provider offering innovative care that integrates traditional medical experiences with cutting-edge, intelligent technologies to redefine the healthcare paradigm. The 3,200 square foot San Francisco flagship location serves as the design standard that will be mimicked as Forward expands across the country. The design team was tasked with incorporating Forward’s data-driven approach into the architecture to ensure a fluid experience for the user. Lighting plays a fundamental role to the success of the design through the use of careful integration, advanced product capabilities, and sophisticated controls.
The small project presented all the big hurdles, from navigating the constrained existing building site and tight budget, to Title 24/LEED compliance, and client aesthetic and branding. All lighting throughout the project utilizes tunable LED fixtures. Each fixture can be individually tuned to produce white light from 1,400°K to 10,000°K as well as any saturated color. This fully addressable and variable system creates the opportunity for Forward to participate in circadian cycle studies as they relate to light. The tunable lighting solution also allows Forward to promote their brand during off hours through the use of their signature deep blue. Forward’s possession of a cutting-edge lighting solution reinforces their future-looking healthcare concept.
Forward’s mandate – particularly for the SF flagship location – was to create a client experience akin to high-end retail rather than the tired waiting room archetype that is prevalent. Given the difficult site conditions, electric light plays a large role conveying these voguish intentions. Integrated cove lighting traverses the spaces and lends calming ambient light to visually greet any person who enters the space. Using the fixture’s addressability and wireless control allows sophisticated shifts in color to guide users to their associated consultation rooms as a wayfinding tool. These subtle successes tap into Forward’s paramount values.
Forward Medical is located in San Francisco’s Union Square district. The location is unique for its high foot traffic and proximity to other premier retailers.
The project’s aesthetic is focused on clean lines, high contrast and a tailored use of materials. The lighting was designed to reinforce these concepts.
Each light source was chosen for its ability to deliver high quality illumination and tight integration with architectural materials and detailing.
Indirect wall coves accentuate the street-facing walls of Forward Medical. These coves provide ambient light and vertical illumination that help define the space.
The consultation rooms utilize three tunable light sources to provide examination-level or relaxing, low-level lighting as necessary, depending the specific procedure being performed.
Forward utilizes individually tunable and addressable light sources to engage in circadian-cycle studies as they relate to light, and to help reinforce their brand.
The restroom of Forward Medical was designed to evoke a spa-like experience through the use of soft indirect light and quality finishes.
After hours Forward‘s lighting transforms. Indirect coves tune to Forward’s signature blue, while a suspended pixel grid displays silhouettes of people passing by.
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