Prize(s) Winners in Workplace Lighting Design
Lighting Design/Product Company Tillotson Design Associates
Lead Designers Suzan Tillotson
Other Designer's names Suzan Tillotson, Liyi Pan, Dagmara Nowak
Architecture Company Studio James Carpenter / JCDA Inc
Client Confidential
Photo Credits Sam Fentress Photography
Completion Date 02/28/25
Project Location Detroit, MI
Entry DescriptionThis office project was envisioned as a neighborhood beacon. Backlit perforated façade panels provide both privacy for the offices and a striking presence from the street. Exterior grazers are strategically positioned at the top of the panels to shield direct views of the light source, allowing the façade to glow evenly as a translucent envelope. Interior lighting reinforces this sense of invitation, greeting visitors with warmth as they step inside. Subtle layers of light create a sense of intrigue, suggesting a story waiting to be discovered—accessible only to those invited within.
Inside, two skylit areas are enhanced with asymmetric uplights that gracefully wash the volumes when daylight is absent. Miniature cylinder downlights are precisely aligned with slender tube screen below the monitors, maintaining a sense of order and refinement. In private offices and the library, a combination of minimal downlights and wall-mounted uplights with asymmetric optics creates a soft yet focused environment, balancing functionality with comfort.
Sustainability ApproachThis office project was designed to comply with ASHRAE 90.1-2013, achieving energy performance 20% below code for interior spaces and 6% below code for the exterior façade. We carefully tested and specified the most efficient products available at the time, ensuring that neither aesthetics nor performance were compromised. Accessories were added only where necessary to create a comfortable environment while maintaining the intended visual impact of each fixture.
Many of the manufacturers involved in this project uphold sustainable practices, such as using recycled metals in fixtures, cardboard for shipping, and renewable energy in production. Additionally, the specified fixtures were manufactured in the United States, supporting the local economy while minimizing transportation impact.
Company DescriptionTillotson Design Associates, founded in 2004, is a WBE lighting design consultancy based in New York City. A diverse staff with backgrounds in architecture, interior design, and theater, including several LEED accredited professionals, combine talents to create exemplary work. Together, our principals provide over 80 years of lighting expertise. The launch of Tillotson Design Associates came just after Ms. Tillotson completed lighting designs for the Seattle Central Public Library and Prada Beverly Hills with the Office for Metropolitan Architecture.
