060 PROJECT / THE WIT, CHICAGO, USA
THE WIT
TO WOO
Lightswitch Architectural’s lighting scheme for
this funky Chicago hotel has benefited from early
involvement in the design process
The summer of 2009 saw the opening of the team and drew up a lighting plan com- types are used in the entire hotel simplify-
Chicago’s newest luxury hotel, theWit, plimenting the architecture and highlighting ing long-term maintenance and achieving
located downtown just north of the famous the whimsical décor while still incorporat- more cost efficient design. In addition, oc-
Chicago Theater. The developer and owner, ing sustainable technologies and consuming cupancy sensors throughout the hotel save
ECD Company, and the architecture firm, much less energy than typical buildings of electricity by turning off unneeded lighting.
Koo & Associates, envisioned a unique hotel this scale. Lightswitch Architectural designed a variety
experience - combining the theatre’s inher- The American developer originally request- of lighting environments reflecting the
ent sophistication along with ‘wittiness’. ed an entirely LED illuminated building, desired sophistication and enhancing the
The team incorporated whimsical elements but unfortunately the pricing on a LED architecture. In the lobby, the breathtak-
everywhere that delight the visitors and building proved prohibitively expensive. ing custom winged chandeliers highlight
creates a special experience. One such Lightswitch Architectural ultimately chose a the large, expansive entrance and set a
touch includes a massive yellow lightning design plan using a mixture of LED technol- dramatic tone. The lighting control system,
bolt running through the entire West façade ogy along with compact fluorescent, metal daylight sensors, and the astronomical time
of the building. With incredible views of the halide and incandescent luminaires. Solid clock adjust the lighting levels (or bright-
Chicago River, the skyline, and Millennium State Luminaires formed the core of the ness) from day to night. This allows interior
Park, the hotel has 298 rooms and suites, luminaire package, and the design included light levels to change relative to the level
gorgeous two story lobby, a full service spa, them where practically and economically of daylight, maintaining a view of the
roof-top bar, meeting, entertaining spaces, feasible. interior and luring passers-by inside. It also
at least seven conference rooms, and a In order to create a home-like atmosphere, is a much more energy efficient solution
state of the art movie theatre. the lighting designers selected warmer because energy is not wasted when it is not
During the early conceptual stages, the colour temperatures and higher colour needed. The lobby’s dramatic two story
developer and architect included a lighting rendering indices. Although there are over ceiling features the winged luminaires; ceil-
designer. Lightswitch Architectural joined 120 different luminaire types, only 20 lamp ing coves with LED luminaires supplement
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