Automotive

Project Name: Fred Lavery Automotive Showroom

Location: Birmingham, MI

Client: U.S. Autogroup LTD.

Project Type: Automotive retail

The Fred Lavery automotive showroom required our design team to depart from the standard method of lighting vehicle showrooms with uniform general lighting. The owner's objective was to make the showroom look like an auto show and use daylight color lamps to compliment the European brands with warmer sources for "people" spaces.

The lighting for this 5,000 square foot Porsche, Audi, and Land Rover showroom is designed to compliment the luxury automotive brand image and attract attention by revealing the space to passersby through the show windows. The lighting designers worked with the owner and interior architect to establish fixed zones where cars would be highlighted providing "jewelry store" drama to the product display. Product lighting creates dramatic contrast to softer lighting surrounding the showroom perimeter. Graphics, architecture and product are revealed using a properly designed balance of luminance brightness and contrast of color Kelvin. Even the rest room lighting is designed to compliment the upscale image.

Using energy efficient sources provided a total lighting load designed to 1.5 watts per square foot, well under the recommended levels for a retail environment. While these energy efficient fixtures may cost more initially, the life cycle cost analysis revealed a 2.5 year payback over using a less efficient system. The design includes an automated control system that uses an astronomical time clock to tailors lighting for daytime, evening, after closing, and late night security. Additionally, this sophisticated and pleasing design is accomplished using only eight different lamp types, greatly simplifying purchasing and maintenance.