LARGE SPACES

Project Name: DiamlerChrysler Technology Center Sky Simulator

Location: Auburn Hills, Michigan

Client: DiamlerChrysler

Project Type: Large Space

The Styling Dome at the DiamlerChrysler Technology Center is a visual laboratory where important design decisions impacting the future of the corporation are made. It is required to function as an interior space capable of simulating the lighting effects of an outdoor environment without causing distracting reflection in the highly specular automotive surfaces. The types of visual tasks that take place in the Dome vary greatly. Illuminance uniformity, for product comparisons, and good color rendering are required, as they strongly impact decisions made here. Further challenging the design, the Dome surface is made of perforated metal for better acoustics, causing a twenty percent light loss factor.

Illuminart designed a flexible lighting system to meet the various needs of the client. At the heart of the lighting system are the custom luminaires that were developed using new lamp technology which doubled illuminance while the lighting load was cut in half. Lamp types and quantities were selected to maximize system efficacy, and minimize maintenance. The fixtures were placed in multiple concentric rings in a cove around the perimeter of the Dome, which provides smooth transitions of illuminance distribution.