The San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers is a striking Victorian structure and one of the oldest wood-and-glass conservatories on the continent. Lightswitch created the Night Bloom event to bring light and joy to Golden Gate Park during the darkest part of the year. Partnering with Hybycozo, Lightform, and CT Group, our team delivered a unique and technologically deft light show for the San Francisco community.
Before guests even entered the conservatory, they were able to interact with multiple lighting sculptures from our partners at Hybycozo, play giant glowing chess, ride on light-up seesaws, and more. This interactive portion of the event was doubly important because of the lack of interaction inside the building: the venue’s small size meant that our team had to think critically to avoid bottle-necking among the guests. Hybycozo was also featured in the “Hybycozo Lounge” — a separate space from the ticketed interior of the Conservatory which was part bar, part gift shop, and part spaceship.
Inside the building, CT Group supplied the necessary equipment for light installation in a conservatory climate, including ultra-rugged LEDs that could resist the damages that would otherwise be caused by the intense humidity and environmental conditions of the space. In each of the five galleries, Lightswitch took the room’s particular needs and atmosphere into consideration. Not only did our team ensure the safety of the delicate and diverse plant collections, we also worked to embody the personality of each. For example, in the Aquatic Plants Gallery, we installed glowing, resin-cast molds of the four-foot-wide flowering lily pads that adorn the space during the warm seasons. The Potted Plants Gallery called for a more playful approach: each plant was given its own micro-LED spotlight. Together, these many lights could be programmed to achieve wonderfully colorful effects. In the soaring two-story atrium of the main gallery, Lightswitch worked with a resident sound artist to immerse guests in the ambiance of a night-time rainforest, complete with a sparkling laser firefly feature.
Through careful and considerate strategizing, Lightswitch was able to create a light show that did not speak over the Conservatory’s collection but enhanced it. The event was not aligned with any specific faith or creed; rather, the non-denominational approach spoke to San Francisco’s multi-cultural populace and resulted in a wonderland open for anyone to explore. Ultimately, Lightswitch succeeded in mounting a show that served as a community experience — something everyone could share during the darkest days of winter — that would continue to boost sales, memberships, and audience for the Conservatory for years to come.
