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FARMERS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
With the state capitol looming in the background, the new FMI building couldn’t clash with its neighbor.
nected columns and 30-W metal halide spots that accent the
smoother surfaces of the upper colonnades. “LED was considered
for these accents but at the time we weren’t comfortable with the
performance (specifically the strength of the beam throw) of what
was out there, so metal halide was specified,” notes Meyers.
Internally lighted bollards were the fixture of choice along the
front of the building. These provide wayfinding along the main
walkway and double as protection should drivers lose control of
vehicles nearby. The bollards feature a light sandblast finish and
natural concrete color to best match the limestone on the building.
The surface parking lot, meanwhile, is illuminated by round
full cutoff LED fixtures set on a spider-mount base atop the light
poles (InVue). “We felt that a round fixture on top of the pole, as
opposed to offset on a mast arm, made the fixture right at home in
this application where contemporary and traditional architecture
is being played out,” adds Meyers. The distribution patterns and
pole locations were scrutinized during design to ensure compliance
with the strict Lincoln lighting ordinance.
INNER WORKINGS
Davis Design’s lighting plan for the inside of the building emphasizes
not only the stone surfaces, but the shape and colors of the
rooms. Round and linear fixtures work in tandem; metallic fixtures
with brushed aluminum finishes were specified; and earth tones
were chosen for the fabric-covered fixtures to harmonize with the
interior color palette.
Variations on the same fixture also repeat throughout the building.
“Dressing the same cylinder fixture in different accents gives
the different spaces a unique personality while taking full advantage
of the economies of scale,” says Meyers. For example, the cylinder
is used as a wall sconce with a metal motif, complementing
the modern finish of the basement corridor. Elsewhere, it’s semirecessed
into openings framed in wood within furred out columns
and features several different shade materials and motif accents.
The two-story main lobby features split-faced limestone, large
custom glass and metal panels. Decorative LED pendant drums
(Visa Lighting) arranged in a random pattern play off the elliptical
shape of the lobby and asymmetric, curved ceiling surfaces. The
custom drum fixtures include linen wrapped housings with fab-
30 August 2014 | LD+A www.ies.org