As the inaugural centerpiece of the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Jr. Athenaeum at the University of Texas at Dallas, the Phase I Museum stands as a beacon of sculptural brilliance, its bold form emerging from the landscape like a monolithic masterpiece. This new architectural icon, shaped by sharp and fluid, irregular spaces, called for an exterior lighting design that would resonate with its striking geometry, while enhancing its sculptural depth, as a piece of art in itself.
The lighting design for the museum is a study in subtlety and precision, crafting a visual narrative that unfolds with the setting sun – making the façades come alive under varying light conditions. The textured white marble and concrete surfaces become a dynamic canvas where light and shadow playfully interact. By day sculptural, pristine volumes – By night (in response to the client brief and dark sky requirements) low glare, precision optics were utilized to softly graze the surfaces, accentuating the building’s inherent textures and resulting in a timeless design.
Luminaires discreetly integrated at the building’s perimeter edge, softly illuminate the plaza. The redirected bounce light from the floor illuminates the underside of the structure, as if the volume was carved with light. This allows it to float above the ground without the use of uplights or puncturing the sweeping ceiling contours with luminaires. This technique preserves the ethereal quality of the structure and maintains the depth and dimension of the building.
In keeping with the architectural vision, lighting fixtures were carefully embedded into architectural details, preserving the building’s clean lines and providing illumination that feels as natural as daylight. The deep overhangs of the galleries shelter flexible outdoor spaces, while small, adjustable luminaires cater to events, performances, and gatherings ensuring the building remains a vibrant hub of activity, day or night.
The museum’s skillful and controlled use of glass links interior and exterior spaces and invites the campus community to engage with its art and architecture. Warm color temperature ambient lighting is emitted from large windows and wrap-around outdoor spaces to create a seamless connection between the galleries and the surrounding plaza, putting culture and creativity on display. Lightwells and narrow window slots admit controlled, natural light into key galleries, while becoming striking, luminous icons at night.
The outdoor sculpture garden, featuring works like Wang Shugang’s The Sweepers, greets visitors and is illuminated to enhance its vibrancy and highlight the art without overwhelming it. Advanced modeling and calculations were done to precisely position in-grade luminaires to accentuate the art, without casting shadows on the pristine and sweeping, architectural contours.
The lighting design extends beyond mere functionality, becoming an integral part of the museum’s identity, a quiet yet powerful force that amplifies the architectural experience. Through thoughtful integration and a deep respect for the building’s sculptural essence, the exterior lighting design of the Phase I Museum achieves a sculptural, poetic synergy between light, shadow, and form, inviting visitors to experience the inspiring interplay of architecture and illumination.
