Prize(s) Honorable Mentions
Lighting Design/Product Company Polymath Design
Lead Designers Kerri Callahan
Other Designer's names Lee Greenburg
Architecture Company OTJ Architects
Client OTJ Architects
Photo Credits Dan Ham
Completion Date August 2024
Project Location Ada, Michigan
Entry DescriptionNestled in a vibrant community, the newly constructed Ada Hotel rises from the ashes of the original structure lost to fire in 1942. Designed as a welcoming destination for visitors and locals, the hotel honors its past while embracing a modern hospitality experience. A thoughtfully integrated lighting approach blends natural and electric light to elevate the architectural character and atmosphere throughout.
Located along the Ada River, the three-story hotel features a central atrium with a sculpted ceiling inspired by the surrounding landscape. Shallow ceiling cavities required a creative solution—low-profile LED tape with grazing optics that trace the contours above while illuminating the lobby below, eliminating the need for downlights.
Additional lighting layers—accent fixtures in millwork coves and flexible track systems—add sparkle and function to the second-floor event space. In restaurants and guest rooms, vintage-inspired luminaires reinforce the hotel’s narrative, complementing textured finishes and historic images.
The result is a warm, layered environment where thoughtful lighting reveals material richness and enhances the guest experience, merging timeless character with contemporary design.
Sustainability ApproachThe lighting control system supports seamless transitions from bright daytime settings to warm, intimate evening scenes using timeclock programming and space zoning. Integrated daylight and occupancy sensors help reduce energy consumption while ensuring a consistent atmosphere throughout the day. This system allows for adaptive lighting across public spaces, guest rooms, and event areas with minimal staff input. Despite tight ceiling conditions and complex architectural elements, close coordination between design and construction teams enabled a fully integrated lighting solution. The result is an energy-efficient, responsive environment where lighting enhances both user experience and operational sustainability.
