Rebecca Maloney
Americas Press Office ,Boston
The Fulton Center and the Brown University Building for Environmental Research and Training receive lighting design awards.
On 8 November, the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) of North America awarded the Fulton Center an Award of Distinction (the highest level award possible), and the Brown University Building for Environmental Research and Teaching an Award of Excellence. The IES Illumination Awards recognise professionalism, ingenuity, and originality in lighting design.
For the Fulton Center in New York City, daylight played a critical role in revamping this downtown transit hub serving 11 subway lines and 300,000 daily commuters. As the primary feature, the skylight oculus is tilted toward the south, allowing more direct sunlight to enter. A cable-net structure with reflective panels surrounds the interior of the space below the oculus, reflecting both the direct sun and diffuse skylight.
The renovated Brown University Building for Environmental Research and Teaching grabs your attention with geometric patterns, particularly those of the new rooftop greenhouse that meets LEED light pollution requirements. In the auditorium, integrated, glare-free lighting emphasises the geometric aesthetic by illuminating ceiling panels indirectly. Bright ambient light encourages collaboration, contrasting with your typical dimly lit auditorium, and front directional lighting is zoned to ensure visibility of screens and lecture positions.