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P H O T O N S
NOTES ON LIGHTING DESIGN
Appealing Lighting
A symbolic environment, which reflects the scales of truth and justice,
can seem intimidating to some, but can also be a sanctuary of comfort
to others. Whether working or simply visiting, one cannot ignore the stunning
uniqueness of the Federal Courthouse located in Brownsville, Texas.
In taking on a project of such magnitude, Bos Lighting Design was forced to consider the monumental look necessary for a
building of this kind, while still attempting to deliver the concept of a warm, gracious public space environment.
“The architects expressed a desire for the building to be revealed at night as a testament to its importance as a Federal
Courthouse, but at the same time, we wanted to keep the look from becoming too institutional, cold, impersonal and
uncomfortable,” said Designers John Bos and Becky Bowen of Bos
Lighting Design.
The difficulty of this project was increased by the stringent energy,
maintenance, and budget requirements that come with any federal project.
In terms of maintenance, attention was paid to lamp life, and there
was an attempt to standardize lamp types as much as possible, including
beam spread and color temperature.
“While the budget was a factor for the exterior lighting, what was more
of a guiding factor was that the luminaires be of high quality,” said Bos
and Bowen, “particularly when dealing with in-ground and other luminaires
that are exposed to the extreme Texas weather and the high
pedestrian traffic.”
What was most cost-effective for the project was the installation
quality of the luminaires, which would hold up for years to come.
Hydrel luminaires were chosen for its value and its track record for
holding up over time, and — as a bonus — it was not the most expensive
line on the market.
Uplighting was used throughout the exterior to emphasize vertical elements
and to lift the eye upward. These color-corrected metal halide
adjustable upliftings create a sense of grandeur. In contrast, low-glare
bollards were selected to illuminate pedestrian pathways and guide foot
traffic. A variety of light was also chosen to highlight built forms and different
shades of foliage. Lavender filters were used to enhance the cool
greens of the shrubbery, while straw/pale gold filters were used to
uplight the palm trees, bringing out the warmth in the trunks and the
green tones of the palm leaves.
Given the nature of the building, there were concerns about on-site
security. Bos Lighting Design illuminated the landscape and exterior
architectural elements. Such areas included the benches, which have a
step light underneath; the front columns that support the metal canopy in front, which act as a natural place for uplighting, and
the colonnade walkways to the parking areas. Cut-off luminaires were also used in the parking areas, specifically, to not create
light trespass, since Brownsville is still small and dark enough for evening stargazing.
“With all the uplighting, it was important to control
glare, which can be blinding, thus making it as much of a
security issue as a lack of light,” Bos and Bowen said.
To avoid this problem, well-shielded fixtures were chosen
(with the lamp deeply recessed) and additional louvers/glare
guards were added wherever necessary. Full
shielded bollards were used to directly light the main
pedestrian pathways into the building to highlight the area
safely and without any glare.
As both a civic landmark and a federally funded project,
the Brownsville Courthouse required thoughtful design
integrated with energy- and maintenance-sensitive lighting.
By using color corrected metal halide and fluorescent
sources to highlight the built forms and landscape elements,
all of these objectives were thoroughly met
throughout the project.
—John-Michael Kobes
PHOTOS: JUD HAGGARD PHOTOGRAPHY
32 LD+A/May 2001 www.iesna.org