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  • Professional Lighting Design | Light Projects | Lighting Studio | City, Urban and Public Space Lighting | Light Projects by Leni Schwendinger

    URBAN LIGHTING TRANSFORMS PLACES AFTER SUNSET KEY S ERVICES Pre-Design Discovery Existing Conditions Audit Community Engagement through NightSeeing ™ ​ ​ Lighting Design Phases ​ ​ CONCEPT SCOPE - Develop concepts to enhance landscape and architectural design themes - Basis of Design Report (Schematic) - Review and Comment (Final Design) - Site Commissioning ​ FULL-SERVICE SCOPE - Concept through Construction Documents - Site Commissioning - Site Commissioning HIGHLY QUALIFIED WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (WBE) DOWNLOADS NY STATE WBE CERTIFICATION NY CITY WBE CERTIFICATION PORT AUTHORITY WBE CERTIFICATION DESIGN PRACTICE SERVICES DOCUMENT LENI SCHWENDINGER For more than 20 years, Leni’s exploration of light has evolved into a profound understanding of the medium, which informs her unique approach across a variety of genres, including infrastructure, landmarks and the ever-changing urban environment and inclusive of community engagement practice. Her work weaves the dramatic and playful possibilities of light onto the fabric of urban life, sparking an expansion of social interaction and activity in public gathering places. She is an expert in light planning, with clients in the U.S. such as Downtown Santa Monica, City of Saratoga Springs, 82nd Street Partnership (Queens), city councils in Australia and Colombia. Recent lighting design projects can be experienced at sites such as parks, subways and bridges for architects, engineers and landscape architects. Examples include the New York MTA Subway Refurbishment, Cleveland’s Little Italy transit head-house, Hunters Point South Park (NYC) and Mulberry Commons (New Jersey). She directs International Nighttime Design Initiative which is establishing an interdisciplinary profession. Projects for the Initiative include Smart Lighting Guidance for New York State and developing innovative pilots with think-tank, New Urban Mobility. Around the world, for a decade, people have joined in the NightSeeing™ Navigate Your Luminous City program. These “LightWalks” have been conducted in New York City, Seattle and Portland, US; London, UK; Bogota, CO; Prague, CZ; Sydney, AU; to name a few metropolitan locations. Now, an internationally in-demand speaker, Schwendinger is considered a pioneer and authority on urban lighting and infrastructure. She is the recipient of numerous professional awards and global media coverage. Her prestigious fellowships include affiliations with Visiting Research Fellow at the London School of Economics, Design Trust for Public Space (NYC) and Urban Design Forum.

  • George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge

    Infrastructure + Bridges < Previous Next > Photos: Ted Tarquino ​ George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge Location Louisville, Kentucky Client Kentucky Department of Transportation, Louisville, Downtown Partnership Team Carman Architects ​ ​ The historic cantilevered truss bridge, locally known as Second Street Bridge, crosses the Ohio River. The approach road was transformed into a plaza with plantings, seats and, pedestrian spaces to host festivals and celebrations, shaded by the dynamically illuminated overpass. The objective was to transform the off-ramp into a vibrant promenade. The underside of the bridge is enhanced with a floating effect of cast light; outlining and illuminating the I-beam surfaces and textures. The duo-tone lighting color scheme – red and gold – is projected upon a buttercream paint color coating “canvas”. These selections are based on a celebration of amber liquid bourbon and the colors of sunset. Street lighting, also designed by Light Projects is enhanced at night for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers on Whisky Row, where the brightened bridge fascia appears as a visual destination. On the face of the bridge pointing toward Washington and Witherspoon, a line of bright beacons is programmed in dynamic and rhythmic sequences which chase up and down Second Street each hour to count-down the hour – from sunset to midnight on weekdays, and sunset to 2:00 AM on Friday and Saturday. The hourly sequences bring the old I-beam structure to life, as if the bridge itself is breathing, when looking up and toward the Ohio River.) To keep costs down, this design is notable for the use of standard fluorescent lights – most often found in offices and industrial locations. An ambiance of warmth and animation is created by combining color filters controlled by an advanced programming system. The beacons can also be seen on Paris’ Eiffel Tower.

  • 2nd Ave Subway

    Public Spaces + Streets < Previous Next > Photo: Charley Lhasa Photo: Charley Lhasa 2nd Ave Subway Location New York City, NY Client New York City Transit, The MTA Team Arup for AECOM=Arup ​ ​ ​New York City’s Second Avenue Subway took nearly 70 years to build. The political, logistics, and funding coalesced in 2007 and was observed by a ceremonial groundbreaking at 96th Street Station. Two months before the New Year’s Eve 2017 grand opening, MTA Capital Construction specifically requested Leni Schwendinger, of Arup, to “add colored light” into the monumental, glass head-houses. At that point, the arched canopies were in the final stages of construction. Arup, as part of a joint venture, was the design leader, providing full design and engineering services for the first phase of the project. Schwendinger took on the design concept and implementation challenges, a near-impossible task to fit lighting fixtures into a fully extant structure. The design had to be installed in a record 6-weeks. A special team was convened on the construction side to expedite mock-ups, attachment designs, procurement, and final install. Approvals had to be obtained from MTA executives in record time. Schwendinger’s team set about locating a flexible, LED linear fixture to fit into a precise, inches-wide extrusion. She held a mock-up for decision-makers to examine fixture choices, brightness levels, and color. A crucial decision had to be made on hue – should the head-house change color over time? Should it be the official MTA colors of blue and gold? Or simply a solitary color? A singular, vibrant blue won out. Set in a wide plaza, visible from adjacent streets and sidewalks, the 96th Street station features a blue glow marking the station’s location. Visible day and night, the spectacular entryway is an often-photographed feature of the system. Frequently, news announcers stand in front of the massive glowing structure to report the evening newscast. Schwendinger also orchestrated mock-ups for VIP MTA-architects in the stations’ underground areas.

  • Times Square Plaza Reconstruction

    Public Spaces + Streets < Previous Next > Photos: Michael Grimm Photography Photos: Michael Grimm Photography Times Square Plaza Reconstruction Location New York, New York Client NYC Department of Design and Construction, NYC Department of Transporation Team Snohetta, Matthews Nielsen Landscape Architects, Thornton Tomasetti, Buro Happold, Wesler Cohen ​ ​ The Times Square Plaza Reconstruction is a case study in how integrative, site-specific illumination mirrors and intensifies planning objectives. The international draw of Times Square is due in part to the role of light.) In Times Square light is an event in and of itself. “Found” light from signage, shop windows, and marquees compete in a pulsing cacophony of sparkle and animation. In late May 2009, a pilot to improve traffic and safety in Times Square by blocking traffic and creating a temporary plaza was completed. In 2010 invited teams competed for the permanent design of the plaza. Leni Schwendinger Light Projects joined with a design team led by architecture firm Snohetta. The team’s multi-media show presentation won over the complex set of owners – a municipal and private-public consortium. Multiple sources of lighting contribute to the nighttime environment of Times Square; commercial advertising billboards, municipal lighting, and endless streams of vehicular traffic. The plaza is bathed rhythmically and chromatically with graphics from direct-view LED and bracketed billboard luminaires. In the end, as happens with many public square projects, because of liability, budget, and other agency priorities, the lighting design was simply achieved by a consolidated streetlight layout utilizing the “New” New York City light pole. Additionally, arising from Schwendinger’s early sketch concepts, bright metal disks were embedded into the paving to reflect the colored commercial light typical of Times Square. Construction was completed in 2017.

  • HtO Toronto Harbourfront Parks

    Landscape + Parks < Previous Next > Photo: Eduard Hueber / Archphoto Image: Leni Schwendinger Light Projects HtO Toronto Harbourfront Parks Location Toronto, Ontario, Canada Client The City of Toronto Team Janet Rosenberg + Associates, Claude Cormier Architectes Paysagistes, Hariri Pontarini Architects, Stantec ​ ​ HtO Harbourfront Park in Toronto was envisioned as a connection between downtown and Lake Ontario. Sustainable design principles were incorporated at every level and include waterfront accessibility, enhanced connections to the city, forward-thinking ecological design, integrated public art, and lighting design. The park design by Claude Cormier and Janet Rosenberg and Associates is a series of experiences including the roadside connection, floating dunes, and finally, by the harbor, a tiered esplanade reaching into the water. During the day visitors are drawn to the water. At night, the focus shifts toward the sparkling backdrop of the city. A moonlight effect is layered with color accents to create an after-dark living theatre in the dunes. Underwater illumination gives the appearance of a floating park. “We call the design HtO,” noted the landscape architects, “because it proposes a new chemistry between Toronto and the waterfront - a fundamental change in the relationship.” The project is cited for its innovative waterfront transformation.

  • NightSeeing Third Street Promenade for Downtown Santa Monica

    Planning + Community < Previous Next > Photos: Kelli Hayden Photography Photos: Kelli Hayden Photography NightSeeing Third Street Promenade for Downtown Santa Monica Location Santa Monica, California Client Downtown Santa Monica (DTSM), Santa Monica City Planning Department Team NightSeeing ​ ​ Downtown Santa Monica, a Business Improvement District, commissioned Leni Schwendinger to conduct a NightSeeing™ program. The purpose was to provide a qualitative, eye-opening experience of nighttime for stakeholders in the Third Street Promenade during the master-planning process. The event consisted of a lecture, followed by a walking tour, and a workshop on the following day. It was attended by stakeholders, city planners, and select public officials. During an energetic walk, observations were pointed out and noted by the attendees. Discussions centered on beloved features as well as less successful spaces, social conditions, and lighting quality. Instruction was provided to expand attendees’ vocabulary to describe objectives for a newly vitalized area for the hours between dusk and dawn. The workshop attendees generated three objectives for a future lighting and night strategy. Overview: Utilize light as a medium that fosters welcome after dark 1. Further develop community connections by providing public space activities for interaction and authentic community involvement. Explore “surprising” night activities that build anticipation and require discovery 2. Build upon the public art program to define and interpret place identity. Consider alleys and adjacent streets as sites, provide gathering places 3. Develop a range of experiential streetscape activities from subtle and nuanced to bold and spectacular The objectives provide a launch point for a future expanded area lighting masterplan.

  • Jiading Parks

    Landscape + Parks < Previous Next > Photo: Sasaki Photo: Leni Schwendinger Light Projects Jiading Parks Location Jiading, China Client Shanghai Jiading New City Development Company Ltd Team Sasaki ​ ​ The initial design brief for Jiading Park called for a radical transformation. In its existing state, the site was comprised of factories, warehouses, and fallow agricultural fields. The park is made of five Zones such as the fitness zone, community zone, and lake zone. The Zones are counterpointed by five major paths that interweave and interact with a variety of park elements. The lighting mirrored use and character of the paths, augmenting identity and wayfinding. The lighting design echoed the creative material palette and dynamic forms. ​

  • Public and Streets Urban Lighting Projects | Professional Lighting Design | Light Projects | Lighting Studio | City, Urban and Public Space Lighting | Light Projects by Leni Schwendinger

    PUBLIC SPACES + STREETS 1111 Lincoln Road LOCATION: Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. CLIENT: Robert Wennett and the City of Miami Beach TEAM: Raymond Jungles, Kimley-Horn and Associates Continue 2nd Ave Subway LOCATION: New York City, NY, U.S. CLIENT: New York City Transit, The MTA TEAM: Arup for AECOM-Arup Continue North Embarcadero Vision Plan (NEVP) LOCATION: San Diego, California, U.S. CLIENT: Port of San Diego TEAM: Project Design Consultants, Civitas, Spurlock Poirier Continue Queens Plaza Streetscape & Park LOCATION: New York City, New York, U.S. CLIENT: NYC Economic Development Corp. NYC Department of Planning TEAM: Margie Ruddick, Wallace Roberts & Todd (WRT), Marpillero Pollak Architects, Michael Singer Continue Times Square Plaza Reconstruction LOCATION: New York, New York, U.S. CLIENT: NYC Department of Design and Construction, NYC Department of Transportation TEAM: Snøhetta, Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, Thornton Tomasetti, Buro Happold, Wesler Cohen Continue Under the Elevated, Phase II Pilot LOCATION: Sunset Park, Brooklyn, New York, U.S. CLIENT: Design Trust for Public Space, New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), Industry City TEAM DESIGN FELLOWS: Tricia Martin, Landscape and Sustainability; Quilian Riano, Urban Design; Arup, Technical Lighting Continue

  • 1111 Lincoln Road

    Public Spaces + Streets < Previous Next > Photos: Steven Brooke Photos: Steven Brooke 1111 Lincoln Road Location Miami Beach, Florida Client Robert Wennett and the City of Miami Beach Team Raymond Jungles, Kimley-Horn and Associates ​ ​ The illumination design for 1111 Lincoln Road–created with Raymond Jungles Landscape Architecture–aspires to be bold, simple, and timeless. The project was inspired by Morris Lapidus’ original vision of an outdoor, tropical setting for shopping, dining, and public gathering and refined by Raymond Jungles’ collaboration with architects Herzog & de Meuron. Architectural Record’s review of the site observes that “the designers refigured the street space as an extension of the pedestrian mall; its urban savanna of tall canopy trees and intricate marble pavements ... [is] symbolic of native ecosystems more than touristic preconceptions--create yet another variant of civic space in Miami.” The plaza is structured by water gardens, planting areas, and varying paving stone stripes. The pavers define pedestrian movement and visibility for the proposed and existing retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues. For public gatherings, presentations, and events, a central open space is defined by a slightly raised multifunctional platform. Lighting brings the lush vegetation into view during the active evening hours-- emphasizing the hardscape boundaries and curvy planted islands. The low-level illumination accentuates the elegant romantic feeling of the public space area and provides a connection between the shop-window street walls.

  • Sustainable, Smart Lighting | Professional Lighting Design | Light Projects | Lighting Studio | City, Urban and Public Space Lighting | Light Projects by Leni Schwendinger

    SMART LIGHTING CLIENTS Architecture/Engineer/Construction Industry: Planners Municipalities Department of Transportation and Public Works Department of Planning Department of Sustainability Business Improvement Districts Architecture/Engineer/Construction Industry: Planners Municipalities Department of Transportation and Public Works Department of Planning Department of Sustainability Business Improvement Districts Architecture/Engineer/Construction Industry: Planners Municipalities Department of Transportation and Public Works Department of Planning Department of Sustainability Business Improvement Districts Architecture/Engineer/Construction Industry: Planners Municipalities Department of Transportation and Public Works Department of Planning Department of Sustainability Business Improvement Districts Architecture/Engineer/Construction Industry: Planners Municipalities Department of Transportation and Public Works Department of Planning Department of Sustainability Business Improvement Districts To launch the Capital District Smart Lighting Guidebook project, your NightSeeing™ tour was a unique and illuminating experience. As a transportation planner, it was the first time I looked at light and its function as part of the urban form and transportation system. I now think about light as a design and safety tool, and plan to use what I’ve learned in future transportation planning initiatives. –– Client The union of energy saving, responsive technologies, ownership of data and infrastructure is an ongoing debate. Issues of public space equity and social cohesion is in flux. We navigate these challenges with you. City night innovation starts with street lighting conversion to low-wattage, long-life LED which in turn boosts your city’s contribution to sustainability by reducing energy consumption and helps the economy by saving costs for replacements and maintenance. Beyond the basics of energy and cost-saving opportunities to enable streamlined government services, increase community involvement in civic design, and create enhanced nighttime placemaking are activated by our expert – and thoughtful – approach to smart technologies. Leni Schwendinger’s team is galvanized to assist cities to assess and strategize their next move to innovative lighting. DOWNLOAD EXAMPLES: Municipal Smart City Street Light Conversion & Evolving Technology Guidebook Guidebook Extract: Decision-Making Roadmap (high resolution) Learn More

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