Lightswitch designed a new, state-of-the-art dynamic and kinetic LED lighting solution for One Prudential Plaza, bringing new life and color to this Chicago landmark.
Lightswitch designed a new, state-of-the-art dynamic and kinetic LED lighting solution for One Prudential Plaza, bringing new life and color to this Chicago landmark.
One Prudential Plaza, now simply known as “Pru,” is a 41-story structure in Chicago, completed in 1955 as the headquarters for Prudential's Mid-America company. It was the first skyscraper built in Chicago after the Great Depression and the Second World War. Both the tower’s decade-plus old lighting system on its iconic south face and its roof antenna were long overdue for replacement.
Lightswitch worked with integrator Protolight to design a new, state-of-the-art dynamic and kinetic LED lighting solution that brought fresh life and color to this Chicago landmark. In-house photometric modeling enabled us to accurately define and specify fixtures, ensuring every lumen possible was put where we wanted it, maximizing energy efficiency and minimizing light pollution – the perfect exemplar of our “pragmatic design” ethos.
Using our extensive pre-visualisation system, we were able to efficiently program over 100 lighting looks and patterns offline, dramatically reducing on-site programming time. Anchored by the BOMA lighting calendar and guidelines, the building is now a constantly evolving, colorful addition to the Chicago skyline.
The building owner wanted a sense of drama, theatre, and magic – and we LIVE for projects like this! But with an established “grande dame” of the Chicago skyline, it was important to develop lighting that was interesting and innovative, but never brash or tasteless. Lightswitch’s distinctive lighting gravitas and style were the perfect fit. The owner is delighted with the results, and we are proud to help bring new light to such an iconic building.
