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Commercial Lighting Case Studies
Four Rivers Environmental Education Center

Four Rivers Environmental Education Center

Architect

Wight and Company

Client

Will County, Illinois, Forest Preserve District

Location

Channahon, Illinois

Date of completion

September 2022

Background

Located in an Illinois forest preserve near the convergence of three rivers that form the Illinois River, Four Rivers Environmental Education Center’s visitor center needed a variety of interior and exterior spaces, including a 2,000-gallon fish tank, to immerse visitors in the region’s natural habitat.

LED track lights with adjustable beam spreads and a 30-40K color temperature switch offer versatile lighting for rotating exhibits in the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center.

Architect

Wight and Company, partnering for lighting and design with Bluestone and Associates, worked on design and engineering for the project, led by architect Ania Szulc. From planning and design for parks and recreation, public and educational projects to private commercial client applications, Szulc was uniquely suited for either large-scale master planning or detailed work on pedestrian-scaled spaces.

Cylinder pendant downlights provide general lighting in the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center event hall.

Who is the lighting designer?

Paul Bluestone of Bluestone and Associates.

What was the lighting design goal and challenge for this project?

“To find the best lighting option to enhance the exhibits,” Wight and Company’s marketing and communications director Shawn Sternberg said. “This resulted in a challenge of needing high performance, museum-like lighting that also blended with existing aesthetics and architecture.”

Cylinder downlights provide general lighting over an interactive exhibit for children at the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, while LED track lights illuminate wall displays about local wildlife.

Which lights did you purchase and use and why? And how did the products and/or Alcon Lighting achieve the desired outcome?

This project used 89 of Alcon Lighting’s multi-sized LED track light—able to vertically adjust 180° and rotate 358° for precise lighting control, with a color temperature switch—which Sternberg said “meets the flexibility and options needed for beam spread and color temperature.” Citing the track light’s simple design, he said it “blends in with aesthetics of the space.”

Multi-Sized LED Track Light Head

This LED track light is stylish and durable, with an aluminum body and clear glass lens. The track head adjusts 180° vertically and rotates 358° for precise lighting control, with a color temperature switch that transitions between 3000K, 3500K and 4000K.

View Details

White cylinder downlights provide general lighting in the lobby of the Four Rivers exhibit hall, while LED track lights provide precise lighting for educational exhibits.

"The design goal was to find the best lighting option to enhance the exhibits."

What was the overall goal of the space?

“A two-phase approach was selected for the Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, [which is] part of the Forest Preserve District in Will County,” Sternberg said. “The initial phase involved converting an underutilized classroom into office space.” In phase two, he said, architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural infrastructure design was carried out to support the exhibit scope of work designed by Bluestone Associates. The main exhibit is located in the confluence wing of the interpretive center, featuring a 2,000-gallon fish tank and mussels and bird exhibits. Additionally, there is an outside bird bath with a heated pad, providing water for birds year-round.

Lighting is an essential feature in art galleries, as it can enhance the art viewing experience and bring artworks to life. Without proper lighting, art pieces can appear dull, muted or distorted. Thus, art galleries need to select the correct lighting setup for each individual artwork to accurately represent the artist’s vision. The four primary aims of lighting artwork are as follows: visibility, color rendering, focus and preservation. Achieving a balance between these aims is crucial to creating an optimal viewing environment for artwork.