Prize(s) Honorable Mentions
Lighting Design/Product Company Lightswitch
Lead Designers Collin Mulligan
Other Designer's names John Featherstone
Interior Design Company Bridgewater Studio
Client Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Photo Credits Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Completion Date May 18, 2024
Project Location Chicago, IL
Entry DescriptionHuman curiosity finds its highest expression in the exploration of space. To honor this bold spirit, the designers created a rich spectrum of lighting solutions that both protect and showcase treasures like the SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft, NASA’s Apollo 8 Command Module, the Mercury Aurora 7 capsule, space suits, a Moon rock and more.
Additionally, creating a new atmosphere for space exploration, they added dramatic, mappable LED strips. Randomly scattered across common areas and gathered in radiant “crowns” above each major exhibit, the lights formed shifting constellations that draw the eye and heighten the drama of each artifact.
Uniting the gallery, pixel-mapped “light attics” and a “launch and re-entry sequence” highlight the danger and exhilaration of space travel. Working together with an evocative, ambient soundscape, the color distribution of the show enhances emotions in guests – ranging from curiosity and whimsy (pink) to danger and dread (cold white and blue) to triumph and homecoming (apricot and saffron.)
Together, these elements created a complete work of art that transports visitors beyond the museum walls. What was once an old building became, through light and sound, a new world in orbit.
Sustainability ApproachSustainability was a guiding principle for this design. By replacing outdated fixtures with high-efficiency LEDs and smart controls, the new lighting scheme lowered the exhibit’s electrical load by 40%, significantly reducing long-term energy consumption. The luminaires now last 250% longer than before, minimizing the need for replacement and the associated material and labor waste. The system also emits 80% less waste heat, reducing the strain on HVAC systems and further cutting energy demand.
These changes create a virtuous cycle of efficiency: fewer replacements mean less material sent to landfills, fewer manufacturing and shipping impacts and lower overall carbon footprint.
For our institution, this lighting redesign is not only an investment in the visitor experience but also in environmental stewardship. It demonstrates that even in a historic building, thoughtful design choice
