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Huntington Art Gallery Historic Renovation

San Marino, California

Established in 1919 by Henry E. and Arabella Huntington, The Huntington features an art gallery, library, and botanical gardens which focus on European and American history, literature, and art, as well as rare and spectacular plant specimens. HLB collaborated with Architectural Resources Group and design-builders the Earl Corporation on the $20 million historic renovation returning the 55,000 square foot Beaux Arts Huntington Mansion to its former glory.  Key to the design was the utilization of modern technologies while also respecting the unique historic character of this elegant landmark, which the Huntington 's once called home.  Our scope of work included daylighting, architectural lighting, and exhibit lighting for the Portrait Gallery, 1st floor Period Galleries, 2nd Floor Exhibit Galleries, as well as exterior lighting.

The historic and fragile nature of the paintings, carpets and tapestries meant that exposure to natural and electric light was to be optimized.  Extensive photometric studies encompassing an entire year were performed, with the findings helping to inform design decisions on awning size, window treatment and even location of artifacts.  Additional in-depth studies were completed for the Portrait Gallery, where the area above a historic laylight was used as a daylight reflector to obtain pleasing daylighted results with a level of intensity appropriate for the priceless paintings inside.

The lighting design for this project has been awarded an IES Illumination Award of Merit, and the project has received the California Preservation Foundation Restoration Award.