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Viant

Culver City, California

Innovation and encouragement of collaboration and creativity were the owner's vision for this 50,000 square foot converted warehouse space for Viant, a strategic Internet consulting firm located in Culver City . De-emphasizing hierarchy was also a significant mantra of the new model for Viant offices of the future. Horton Lees Brogden Lighting Design worked closely with the design team at Gensler to achieve their goal.

Based on the notion of interaction and de-emphasized hierarchy, the challenge was to light a vast open space with 30' high ceilings while meeting the owner's goal of having a dynamic space. The space is similar to an open streetscape with enclosed areas that serve as conference rooms and brainstorming activity hubs. Subtle layers of light were applied to create a simple logic for lighting the open space. Similar to a luminous skyline, the ceiling was indirectly uplit from the beams for a soft ambient glow of the entire space. The general ambient lighting of the flexible workspaces was accomplished by using compact fluorescent pendants that were suspended imaginatively from an intricate cable system for seismic reasons. To aid in way finding through the space, horizontal and vertical surfaces were lit, creating further visual interest.

A layer of accent lighting enhanced walls and specific objects, including linear lighting concealed under walkways and a luminous dining table skirt glowing from within. The dining table connects the main entry to the kitchen and intersects via an opening through the wall, emphasizing the relaxed atmosphere and the absence of corporate hierarchy.

The fixture palette consisted of simple, inexpensive, utilitarian fixtures used in interesting ways within a clever architectural context. Inexpensive industrial fixtures were ‘dressed up' to be less edgy for a more cultured look. The space also included a ‘theatre' space to encourage interaction and visual presentations. The Gensler team provided a basketball playing area to promote team synergy and competition.

This project's lighting design has been awarded an Illuminating Engineering Society Award of Merit.