Prize(s) Winners in Hospitality Lighting Design
Lighting Design/Product Company Within Light Studio
Lead Designers Mara Villegas
Other Designer's names Wes Burdett and Andres Trujillo
Architecture Company Stonehill Taylor
Interior Design Company Basile Studio
Client Lightstone Group
Photo Credits Henry Rose, Michael Mundy and Michael Kleinberg
Completion Date April 2023
Project Location Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY
Entry DescriptionMoxy Williamsburg’s lighting design captures Brooklyn's rhythm and pulse, creating a cohesive experience across the hotel’s public areas. Our tailored lighting guides guests on their journey from the welcoming lobby and bar through the very unique F&B venues.
The lobby visual centerpiece is illuminated with projectors and uplight wall grazers, mimicking a rising sun's brilliance. In the elevator lobby, Moxy-purple lights create a captivating experience, enticing guests to visit LiliStar. The rooftop bar seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor areas with minimal lighting, ensuring the Manhattan skyline remains the focus; soft pendants, floor lanterns and vegetation uplights create a warm ambiance.
The lobby bar features a two-story bottle riser internally lit to highlight its spirits, complemented by various indirect lighting layers for a glowing effect. In Mesiba, linear lighting in the banquette wainscoting adds coziness, while spotlights ensure well-lit tables, and artwork lights enhance the residential feel.
Jolene, a hidden nightclub, welcomes guests through a BOH corridor lit with vibrant zigzagging color-changing lights. The club’s ceiling marquee, equipped with individually addressable bulbs, syncs with the DJ's music, creating a dynamic display.
Every space is purposefully illuminated to showcase architectural features while crafting a distinct yet inviting atmosphere
Sustainability ApproachIncorporating decorative light fixtures into our lighting calculations was essential for achieving optimal illumination while minimizing energy use. By evaluating all lighting elements in the space - such as integrated bar shelf lighting, chandeliers, and table lamps - we avoided over-illumination and limited the reliance on architectural fixtures. For instance, the abundant light provided by the bar’s decorative elements allowed us to use only a few architectural downlights for accent purposes. This strategy not only helped us conserve energy but also reduced the consumption of materials and labor, effectively lowering the project's overall carbon footprint.
Company DescriptionWithin Light Studio is an architectural lighting design firm committed to enhancing how people feel and engage with the built environment.
Established in 2020 by Mara Villegas and Wes Burdett, and with studios in Los Angeles and Chicago, Within Light Studio is the culmination of over a decade spent in luxury hospitality lighting design. Each project in their global portfolio — be it restaurants, bars, or hotels – has shaped their dual roles as both artists and engineers. For Mara and Wes, the design philosophy is clear: lighting and the human experience are inextricably linked.
