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 explore a vibrant lighting control solution installed at a university e-gaming suite in East Greenwich, RI. Lighting control design by CannonDesign. Photography by Tracy Shankle. Lighting controls by ETC.
This 1,200-sq.ft. renovation creates a unique space for a brand-new collegiate-level E-sports program. Located near the main campus building’s entry, the vibrant new clubhouse aims to attract prospective students.
With rows of high-end gaming PCs on display, a customized DMX-controlled RGBW lighting solution is animated to reflect what’s going on inside. Team colors paint the ceiling and are programmed for static illumination without distractions during game play. When a match is won, the lighting “celebrates,” and the room is flooded with a light show featuring the winning team’s color.
Each row of PCs corresponds to a ceiling coffer and correlating direct/indirect high-efficiency linear pendant. The direct component is static white with DMX dimming, and the indirect component is RGBW, addressable in sections. The carefully coordinated pendant mounting height confines the batwing distribution of RGBW color strictly within each coffer. A touchpad controller in the technician booth is programmed with standard team colors and can be overridden for specialty needs. The triggers for winning teams can be accessed from this location or from a web-interface integrated into the coaches/referee’s station.
At the back of the clubhouse, the “Cave” offers a lounge space for console gaming and viewing matches. Closely spaced wood blades frame the area, running across the ceiling and down the entry wall. Cost-effective, easy-to-maintain RGBW tape set in the vertical face of each blade and specified with two zones of control creates a variety of effects. The fixtures are aimed toward the screen wall, which required the detail to be carefully studied to not cause veiling reflections or distracting patterns on the displays. This flexible solution ties to a central DMX controller, where additional animations for special events are easily accessed and modified. The result is a state-of-the-art lighting solution to spotlight the cutting-edge gaming program the school aims to expand.
Direct and indirect portions of each luminaire section are independently controlled, with full RGBW color hues available to flood the ceiling with color and activity.
Carefully coordinated luminaire mounting and ceiling-coffer detailing captures the indirect distribution of light in each individual cavity, enabling distinct separation of colors and granular control.
Dynamic “Celebration” sequences, enabled via the DMX control system at the push of a button, are programmable to match competing teams’ colors, boldly showcasing winners.
Concealed RGBW tape meticulously integrated into rhythmic wood slats is programmed using discrete control zones to create a more casual, lounge-like atmosphere in the “Cave”.
Endless combinations of colors and effects are available to attract attention to the nascent E-Sports program, thanks to the ultra-flexible lighting and control system’s design.
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