Star Light Reveries - Beijing Gemdale Plaza

STAR LIGHT REVERIE

Beijing Gemdale Plaza

Property Developer: Gemdale Corporation

Architectural Design: SOM

Architectural and Interior Re-design: LLA

Lighting Design: GD-Lighting Design

Lighting Designers: Yan-Zhi Wang, Xin-Yu Huang, TIM, Hui Ren, Wei-Liang Kong

Project Location: No.91, Jian Guo Road, Chao Yang District, Beijing

Area: 30,000 m2

Completion Time: September, 2012

Photographer: He Shu

Gemdale Plaza was built in 2007, this time Gemdale Corporation is committed to make a brand new impression towards their positioning by inviting architecture and lighting designer to redesign their architectural and interior design.

“Diamonds” and “Ripples”, are the new concepts of Gemdale Plaza given by LLA. From ripples on the huge glass facades, to the minimal, contemporary decorative language, Gemdale has given people an impression in line with time. At night, lighting further accentuates the modern and innovative style of the redesign.

Overlooking the architecture at night, the most eye-catching aspect is the light covered facades. The complicated steel structure was rather difficult to illuminate. Instead of lighting the surface uniformly or creating a crystal light box, we took the advantage of the steel structures and brought out the aspects of shine by creating a point light effects. To our surprise, an outstanding multi-surface three dimensional transparent effect is achieved through combining light from the light source, aluminum plate, glass, and space. In addition, intermittent control was designed coordinating with the “breath” of shine; dimming and shining rhythmically with the heart beat and breathing of viewers. Between the blink of shines, an ever more direct and rich sensory feeling is achieved.

Colour change is one unique characteristic of LEDs; it is used commonly in commercial lighting. However, with overall consideration of design, 4000K is the only colour temperature used in this project. Intense and dimmed lights are simply achieved through luminance control. In addition, in order to fulfill special commercial needs, each point could be controlled individually; pixels of adjacent points group freely, allowing patterns created through spacing and rhythmic changes. “Imagination” is subjective, one could interpret it as shining stars, water drops, snowflakes, and others could see it as ripples of wind or scattered dandelion…. Each viewer would find their own feelings within their own imagination. Comparing with the commonly used large and colorful LED facades, the point light system seems much more fresh and sincere.

Another critical difficulty was to achieve the LED point lighting effects behind a SLR colour glazed glasses. The double glazed glass façade is specially made for lighting design. Its low lighting penetration rate and drop of diffused light became the critical aspects of this project. After months of multiple comparisons between glass materials, optical lens cutting techniques, lighting calculations and design concepts, in addition with help from glass and lighting manufacturers, and multiple model tests; the perfect balance between point light diffusing techniques, back plate, and glass was finally achieved. Zooming into each ordinary point light, light from the LED chip goes through an hourglass shaped lens, fusing into the mid-section of a custom cut diverging lens, finally shines through the diverging lens forming the sparkles as a diamond. This project could not be completed without the trust of client and the help from every consultant and manufacturer.

The LED point lights on this building façade do not exist solely on its own. From the top of the tower to the ceiling of the interior atrium, even the plant lighting; the concept of “Star Light” has been casually integrated into the spaces based on the form of architecture, decorative details and the mood of environment. For the viewers, it is neither about “concept” nor “techniques”; it is about “comfort, “joy” and “surprise”. And all we have ever expected is for the viewers to remember and enjoy these wonderful feelings.