In the East Riverfront neighborhood of Detroit, local developer Bedrock sought to activate, re-program, and improve the pedestrian experience adjacent to their properties. The design team’s goal was to create a dynamic environment that transformed the transitional experience into a destination itself, energizing the area and improving pedestrian connections to adjacent community developments.
Challenges on this project included a condensed design and construction schedule, limited budget, existing infrastructure, and the need for future flexibility. High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography taken at the onset of design revealed a number of deficiencies including a lack of illumination and high contrast. This resulted in an existing environment that was visually uncomfortable, perceptually unsafe, and ultimately avoided altogether by pedestrians. Based on this analysis, a layered lighting approach sought to increase overall illumination, balance contrast, improve wayfinding, and reduce scale. Implemented illumination strategies enhance vertical highlighting of architectural features, foliage, and art installations to improve spatial perception and transform this space into an attractive public destination.
Canted festoon lights strung over the streetscape in non-regular patterns provide an inviting base layer of illumination that simultaneously casts light on newly added murals and provides safe clearance for emergency vehicles. Variations in mounting heights and festoon densities help to differentiate spaces, creating moments for both transition and event programming. Narrow beam façade accent lights, mounted to an existing parking garage structure serve a dual purpose, improving spatial perception with textural vertical highlights as well as enhancing illumination levels at the pedestrian sidewalk below.
Closer to the Riverfront, winding pathways with stonework and landscaping leverage a combination of under-bench illumination and festoon lighting to create an undulating lighting character supporting intuitive wayfinding and transition. Concealed small-scale RGBW flood light fixtures uplight tree canopies creating unique and memorable atmospheres. With programmed scenes that are individually addressable, these accent fixtures connect to the City’s control system allowing for a cohesive connection to City-wide holidays, moments of remembrance, or special events.
Working with a Detroit-based graphical artist, SmithGroup designed and custom fabricated backlit art installations honoring iconic musicians tied to Detroit’s Motown history. Located along the main throughway leading up to the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater and event center, these installations highlight the artwork, improve vertical brightness, and enhance wayfinding. Designing these illuminated art boxes took meticulous coordination between the lighting team, artist, acrylic fabricator, and structural engineer to create an evenly luminous, outdoor rated system without structural shadowing. Numerous mockups occurred throughout the design process to validate desired acrylic material properties and illumination characteristics to ensure the art would be represented accurately and provide the desired emphasis. The final solution imparts a unique character to these art pieces, enhancing their visual impact, both day and night.
The East Riverfront lighting upgrades introduce artful interventions that engage the community and provide a safer and more welcoming space. The transitional experience was transformed from uncomfortable and unsafe to a destination in and of itself, supporting Bedrock’s strategic development goals within the City’s urban core.
