Prize(s) Winners in Retails Lighting Design
Lighting Design/Product Company L'Observatoire International
Lead Designers Hervé Descottes
Other Designer's names Jenny Ivansson, Mint Thumrongluck, Luis Carrasquillo, Elisa Forlini, Maria Soto
Architecture Company Design Republic
Interior Design Company Laura Gonzalez
Client Printemps NYC
Photo Credits Peter Dressel / Courtesy of Le Printemps
Other Credits BASO Lighting, Bruck Lighting, Litelab, Retail-Lucifer Lighting, Lucent Lighting, Luminii, VLT, etc
Completion Date March 21, 2025
Project Location New York City, NY, USA
Entry DescriptionPrintemps New York, designed in collaboration with Laura Gonzalez, transforms a landmarked Art Deco interior into an immersive, contemporary retail experience. The lighting design plays a critical role in shaping this transformation—balancing historical reverence with modern energy and flow.
In the iconic Red Room, restored mosaics and gilded columns are illuminated by integrated linear LEDs concealed within architectural reveals and cove details. The lighting amplifies the richness of original materials while preserving visual calm. Gonzalez’s custom floral display structures are internally lit, contributing to a surreal sense of atmosphere and scale—neither theatrical nor purely functional, but emotionally resonant.
Throughout the store’s ten non-linear rooms, lighting defines distinct moods and spatial rhythms. A layered approach combines adjustable spotlights for merchandise, decorative fixtures evoking Parisian charm, and ambient glows that unify the experience. Warmer static color temperatures throughout the food & beverage spaces reveal a palette of brass, marble, and velvet with subtlety and clarity.
The lighting creates a legible, fluid journey across rooms of varied scale and function—from open lounges to intimate corners—bridging luxury and accessibility. Rather than highlighting the architecture or products independently, the design fosters cohesion between them.
Sustainability ApproachThe lighting design innovates through the precise integration of high-performance LED systems within a protected historic envelope. In the Red Room, lighting sources are completely hidden, preserving the integrity of the restored mosaics while creating a uniform glow that enhances detail without distraction.
Custom luminaires and concealed infrastructure allow lighting to respond flexibly to changing displays, seasonal campaigns, and time of day. A programmable control system governs all fixtures, optimizing intensity and consumption in real time.
All fixtures meet energy compliance codes and are selected for longevity and low maintenance. Dimming protocols and warm-color LEDs support comfort while minimizing energy loads. Every design move serves both atmosphere and environmental responsibility—demonstrating how sustainability can be deeply embedded in a luxury context.
