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A special message to architects, engineers, designers & builders LINKS: Guerilla Lighting  - community lighting with flashlights Who are theLighting Detectives? Derive ,  a critical term for walkability and wandering Vibelab  is a research, consultancy and advocacy agency dedicated to supporting creatives and supporting nighttime culture 24-hour economy strategy for Greater Sydney 24-hour London's Visio

Into darkness, the artistry of light proclaims a special power to inspire and play...to encourage the best proclivities of our built environment.

On June 3, 4, and 5 Chris and I spent midnight work shifts so common for urban lighting. This time supervising prepared string and rope -light while the strands were suspended by Friedman Productions. The subway train splits Newkirk Plaza into 2 walkways lined with gritty retail and restaurants. Looking up from Brooklyn’s Newkirk Plaza subway platform, the straphanger will exclaim, I have arrived! Also looking down from the Plaza, Urban Braids presents a carnivalesque sight against the smooth subway platform illumination. A strange juxtaposition. D.I.Y. Lighting is braided, twisted string lighting made by local community.

Public Spaces + Streets < Previous Next > Photo: Sam Oberter Photography Photo: Leni Schwendinger Queens Plaza Streetscape & Park Location New York City, NY Client NYC Economic Development Corp Team Margie Ruddick, Wallace Roberts &Todd (WRT), Marpillero Pollak Architects, Michael Singer ​ ​ The Queens Plaza project spans 1.3 miles in the Long Island City Business District. The project revitalizes JFK Park and connects it to the dramatic water’s edge below the Queensboro Bridge. The installation opened in Spring 2012 and has transformed this primary entry point into Long Island City and Queens into a dynamic and appealing gateway. Results included improved traffic flow and enhanced the pedestrian environment with new sidewalks, curbs, plantings, landscaped traffic medians, bikeways, and enhanced lighting. A former parking lot was transformed into the inviting 1.5-acre Dutch Kills Green park with an array of benches, plantings, and landmark trees that are illuminated. The public space features non-invasive, drought-tolerant native plantings and artist-designed interlocking, permeable pavers that direct storm-water to the plantings. Schwendinger’s Light Projects designed the roadway, bikeway, and amenity lighting.

Public Art < Previous Next > Photos: Leni Schwendinger Light Projects Photos: Leni Schwendinger Light Projects (sculpture, daytime detail) Tidal Radiance Location San Diego, CA Client Unified Port of San Diego Team Bermello Ajamil & Partners, Paul Basile Fabrication, DCI-Engineering ​ ​ Tidal Radiance was funded through the Port of San Diego’s Percent for Art program. Adding drama and another focal point to the North Embarcadero, the dynamic display is visible to Port Pavilion visitors, pedestrians strolling along the Embarcadero, and motorists traveling on North Harbor Drive. For the Port Pavilion of Broadway Pier, a 45-foot by 16-foot exterior wall sculpture, Tidal Radiance, combines an environment of projections to evoke tides and sea life. To set the stage for a dramatic transformation during the night, sculptural elements - custom cast-glass and metal forms - remain neutral by day. To accomplish this, Light Projects collaborated with the architect on material selections responsive to sunlight. After sunset, Tidal Radiance becomes a shimmering, organic form, seen from near and far. The artwork is visible to boats, pedestrians, and motorists along the Embarcadero promenade. The interplay between artwork and viewer is integral to Tidal Radiance. Along the perimeter of the terminal, the spectator becomes a participant in the luminous stenciled projections. Chromatic seasonal illuminations are evocative of the San Diego Bay culture. Luminous greens represent the whale watching season and glowing golds the cruise season. During the moon cycles, the full moon is expressed by pale blues, while the new and quarter moon emanate deep blue hues. This element of controlled changeability - combined with color symbolism - allows the artist to create public art that not only pleases the eye but communicates and displays nuanced messages about the environment we live in.

Planning + Community < Previous Next > Photo: Leni Schwendinger Light Projects Photo: Leni Schwendinger Light Projects 82nd Street Partnership Lighting Strategy Location Quees, NY Client 82nd Street Partnership (Business Improvement District) Team NightSeeing ​ ​ The 82nd Street Partnership (BID), located in a Queens New York City commercial core, required strategic lighting advice and three distinct creative designs. A lighting task-force was assembled and a NightSeeing™ program was initiated to educate the public and stakeholders before workshopping an approach for the district’s nighttime environment. Leni Schwendinger and her team worked closely with the Partnership and their constituency to envision a lighting strategy to connect and unify district-wide assets, establish a unique discernible identity and reinforce the Partnership’s effective stewardship on behalf of property owners, merchants, residents, workers, and visitors. ​Site-specific lighting programs were developed during the community meetings and workshop to enhance the after-dark experience of residents, workers, and visitors through legibility, safety, and city enjoyment. All night technical measurements and observations were undertaken throughout the study area. Through the NightSeeing™ analysis, darkened gaps and on–the- ground observations identified opportunities for light to unlock potentials and strengthen area assets (subway transit nodes, building facades, public art, etc), with an eye on creating an enhanced district signature. Three model project designs were presented for funding. The “Living Lanterns” to activate public spaces with a Festival of Light, the “One Light at Night” is a storefront program, and the “Underpass Light” which illuminates the traffic corridor intersections, marks overground subway stops and enhances place identity. A set of core principles were established. - Quality of Life - Economic Development - Enhance Community Building - Placemaking - Public Health & Safety - Public-Private Partnership Guidelines were assembled in book form for future consideration.