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Novartis Institute for Functional Genomics

La Jolla, California

For the first U.S. based Genomics Institute for Novartis, which focuses on research for genetics-based medicine, HLB worked with the design team led by NBBJ in creating an environment for open collaboration between institutions.   HLB's scope of work consisted of exterior areas including landscaping, open-air circulation trellis, and building façade feature lighting, as well as interior areas including labs, holding rooms, procedure rooms, lobby, offices, conference rooms, lecture hall, cafeteria, servery, library, terrace, restrooms, and circulation.

The main feature of this 467,000 square foot complex is the open-air circulation trellis that visually links the seven laboratory and administrative pavilions in an effort to promote a highly interdisciplinary and interactive culture.   HLB designed a lighting solution for the open-air circulation trellis that not only created a warm and inviting environment for personal and professional collaboration, but one that could provide a seamless appearance of the trellis as it was interrupted by the various laboratory buildings along its path.   This was accomplished by the use of a combination of PAR 38 halogen lamps directed upward towards the wooden trellis in discreet adjustable fixture mounted on the columns and rooftops and directed onto the path below.   The soft beam patterns and consistently crisp color temperature of the high efficacy lamps achieved the goal of this subtle and eloquent illumination.  

As the trellis approaches the main entry building the light solution transitions into structure mounted downlights utilizing the same combination of lamps to illuminate the dining area below.   The lower level of the trellis serves as a more functional circulation path for researchers where indirect fluorescent cove fixtures and recessed compact fluorescent downlights provide illumination between the laboratory building and into the adjacent parking garage.