Dinosaur-approved catenary lighting solution for an exceptional library space
The new home of Frisco Public Library has an interesting past. At one point, it was a rocket manufacturer. A more recent occupant produced a range of consumer food items. The building's transformation to accommodate the library was nothing short of a massive undertaking.
The goal was to create an inviting space that would be a vibrant community meeting point above and beyond its traditional role as a library. Gensler was hired as the architect/designer for the project. In turn, the team at Gensler collaborated with Architectural Lighting Alliance (ALA) to develop the lighting plan.
“One of the biggest challenges of this project was marrying the library’s lighting objectives with the infrastructure of the existing building,” said Tim Filesi, specification sales at ALA. “And we had to work very closely with the head librarian. She was adamant that the new facility not have any unnecessary shadows that would encumber book readers or visitors anywhere on the premises.”
The library's main concourse is extraordinary, not least due to its focal point: the world's largest-scale dinosaur model. The industrial ceiling is substantial, and the original plan was to suspend direct/indirect luminaires directly from the deck. As the team worked through extensive calculations, it was discovered that the support members could not handle this load. When a catenary lighting system was proposed, the team selected Luminis’ Syrios SY806 pendants.
“We had seen a catenary solution on another Luminis project, so we were confident of what could be achieved,” Filesi said. "We knew they could offer great optics, high-quality material, and a good lumen package in a complete system that would work well in a catenary product."
A total of 84 Syrios Round SY806 cylinders are suspended with the catenary system over the main concourse. Each luminaire offers direct and indirect illumination; an R55 wide flood optic was selected for the downlight to ensure the light successfully illuminates spaces two stories below.
Getting the color temperature right was also important. Filesi and the team selected 3000K; it is comfortable and inviting and brings warmth to wooden stairs and surrounding wooden finishes.
Syrios’ aesthetic itself also achieves precisely what was intended. Its white cylinder blends seamlessly into the space, allowing the dinosaur to be the focal point.
Feedback from everyone involved has been overwhelmingly positive.
“It looks even more beautiful than the photos show,” said Filesi. "The light is crisp, there are no unnecessary shadows, it's uniform, bright, and welcoming.”
PROJECT NAME: Frisco Public Library
LOCATION: Frisco, Texas, USA
CATEGORY: Interior Lighting
PROJECT COMPLETION: December 2022
ARCHITECT: Gensler
LUMINIS AGENT: Architectural Lighting Alliance
PHOTOGRAPHY: Connie Zhou
