Originally built in 1900, The Spreckels Temple of Music is a historic piece of architecture, located in Golden Gate Park between the beloved de Young Museum and the striking CAL Academy. Lightswitch was tasked with lighting this rare sandstone structure in a way that would pay homage to its history, incorporating colored light that focuses on the beauty of the existing architecture.
Originally built in 1900, The Spreckels Temple of Music is a historic piece of architecture, located in Golden Gate Park between the beloved de Young Museum and the striking CAL Academy. Lightswitch was tasked with lighting this rare sandstone structure in a way that would pay homage to its history, incorporating colored light that focuses on the beauty of the existing architecture. We were brought in by Illuminate to design lighting for the band shell, with the goal of making it a viable venue for nighttime activities and creating an overall safe and welcoming environment within the park as part of an urban revitalization effort.
The Lightswitch team tackled this project by creating a design that could withstand the elements of the park — including everything from inclement weather to the public skateboarders who so often visit the band shell. Accordingly, we selected durable equipment that would resist daily wear and tear. We also made sure that these lighting elements could be operated easily by park personnel. This was achieved by designing a custom control system that allows cues to be activated with limited lighting knowledge or training.
By keeping the needs of all stakeholders in mind, Lightswitch was able to carry out our vision — from its conception to its final handover — in record time. Even with the added challenge of designing during the pandemic, we succeeded in creating lighting that pays tribute to a much-loved historical structure, reinvigorating the Spreckels Temple of Music so that it can fulfill its original purpose as a space for the public to gather and appreciate art.
