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Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Washington, DC

© Jeff Goldberg/Esto

Horton Lees Brogden received the IIDA's EPRI Award of Excellence for the New Terminal at Washington National Airport.  This prestigious award recognizes projects that integrate quality lighting solutions with dramatic energy savings.

Working closely with architects Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, Leo A Daly, MWAA and the engineer, HLB was able to fully integrate the lighting with the architecture.   The result is a system that not only meets functional lighting and energy requirements, but also reinforces the architectural program.

Our involvement on the new terminal at Washington National Airport began when we participated in a thorough photographic and written survey of the existing conditions.   The historic nature of the original terminal became both a source of design inspiration and a dilemma (restoratively speaking) for the team.  Ultimately, the new terminal reflects the historic and civic nature of Washington, DC while utilizing state-of-the-art, energy-conserving lighting systems.  The lighting was integrated into the architectural structure to softly illuminate the corrugated metal vaults, which enhance the grandeur.  Down lighting highlights the extensive art program throughout.  The small metal halide par lamp discreetly placed in the vaults added sparkle and a lively animated character to the public areas.  A signature fixture was developed and used in various ways to illuminate piers, circulation corridors and baggage claim and to provide general lighting throughout the airport.  The fixtures, with their strong wing shaped profiles, echo the dynamic form of an airplane wing floating gracefully below the massive vaulted ceilings which they softly illuminate.