By Chip Israel, Nick Bleeker, Peter Hugh and Emlyn G. Altman
Formerly a hospital, the Cook County Hyatt Home/Hyatt House in Chicago employs façade lighting for columns and architectural features to provide recognition and identity.
Photo: Mike Crews Photography
Hospitality spaces have many areas that are diverse, with unique comfort, safety, performance and ambiance needs for their employees and guests. As a result, effective lighting is essential for hospitality applications such that many ownership groups and property operators are mandating that a lighting designer be included on the creative teams.
Designers have a responsibility to use lighting to emphasize the theme, feel and personality of projects like hotels and/or casinos. More importantly, lighting can help guide new guests throughout properties, enhancing their experience and wellbeing. People are phototropic, like moths attracted to light, so designers can use lighting to reinforce graphic wayfinding. This experience begins with effective façade lighting. Illuminating the façade allows a building to become a beacon, which often is more impactful than a single sign on top of a structure. Floodlighting is but one technique, but all design solutions must eliminate stray light spilling into adjacent guest rooms and exterior environments. As guests arrive to a site, lighting identifies the vehicular entrances and focus to the Porte cochere—once again, using lighting and brightness to lead the guests to the front doors. There is a reason that, for decades, theaters and hotels used “marquee” or clear Edison lamps on strips at entrances—because it worked.
As guests enter lobbies, there is often a focal point that reinforces a property’s décor and branding, and it should be highlighted to create drama through varied brightnesses. More importantly, registration areas should be notably bright, as this helps orient and guide guests to where they can check in. The illumination of desk fronts, accenting of artwork on the back wall or decorative fixtures over registrations are all options that provide visual orientation. Lobbies contain varied spaces such as lounges, concierge desks and bars. One current trend is implementing flexible workspaces that can be used for breakfast in the morning, private meetings and even informal interviews during the day, which can then transition into bars at night. Lighting must be uniquely designed to meet all these visual tasks. To help continue the journey through this space, elevator lobbies should be identified, perhaps with decorative fixtures or artwork illumination, so guests can ultimately get to their rooms.
In guestrooms, two recurring complaints regarding lighting are that there isn’t enough light at the bathroom mirrors to see when applying makeup or while shaving, as well as insufficient lighting when trying to read while relaxing on the bed. Designers should focus on flattering, warm tones, higher CRI and sufficient illumination at the mirrors. Sconces and pendants can work well, and some illuminated mirrors are effective. Backlit or halo-effect mirrors may look nice, but they typically do not provide the required horizontal illumination, so mock-ups are recommended. The strong contrast from the backlit halo effect can make the human eye adjust for this brightness thus reducing their input and perception of the ambient light. Reading lights at the beds can be employed in a variety of ways. It should be noted that many people use tablets or smartphones instead of print materials, which adds another level of glare to consider in the design scheme. Also, ensure that ample illumination is provided at desks and integrated into the closets. Often, solutions work best by introducing lighting into all four corners of the room, many times with the introduction of decorative lamps.
The Boadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO, features a traditional lobby that offers comfort via soft uplighting and the use of decorative fixtures.
Photo: Courtesy of Broadmoor
At the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, backlighting of the stone wall in the registration area provides both a pleasing aesthetic and wayfinding to the area.
Photo: Courtesy of Hyatt
For decades, lighting has been a featured design element in the gaming world. Concealed surveillance catwalks above ceilings have been replaced with high-definition security cameras; so, light levels, veiling reflections and color rendition are all critical. There is an old saying that advises, “Light where the money is.” Table games with stacks of chips, cashier cages and bars are all areas with special lighting needs. Lighting must be functional and brilliant to help attract, entertain and keep patrons energized.
Spas, on the other hand, should invoke a sense of relaxation as soon as guests enter the space. Light levels are typically low, soft, warm and dim, as if illuminated by candlelight. The primary lighting may be from decorative fixtures, architecturally integrated fixtures and soft indirect sources. Illumination may be non-uniform to create places of deeper relaxation or natural wonder. Task lighting should be discrete, easily controllable and may be focused over workstations, salon areas and/or manicure/pedicure stations. Relaxation zones may include almost-theatrical lighting experiences in lounges or pool and spa areas. Finally, and most importantly, remember the vanity area. As guests prepare to leave, lighting should make them look healthy, younger and glowing. Using soft vertical illumination from sconces or other sources is essential for visibility while shaving, applying makeup and/or hair styling.
Health or fitness area lighting can be creative and fun while, at the same time, coordinated with the exercise equipment. Indirect sources are often preferred so that guests are not participating in floor activities or exercise, such as bench presses or sit-ups, while looking up into bright downlights. Pay careful attention to the placement of fixtures near mirrors and televisions on multiple walls to avoid reflective glare or view of concealed light sources. High-energy or relaxing zones for Pilates or spinning might necessitate color changing or dimming. Remaining mindful of dimming zones and controls is essential for flexibility and balanced light intensity within spaces.
Food and beverage are important components to any hospitality project, so always pay close attention to the dining experience. Restaurants may emulate local history or a theme that can be reinforced by the proper selection of decorative fixtures and artwork. Architectural lighting pioneer Ray Grenald said, “For restaurants: light the faces, the food and then the walls.” This is particularly true now as it was during Grenald’s heyday. Illuminating faces can be accomplished with narrow spots reflecting onto a white tablecloth, multiple votive candles or the latest trend: numerous warm, diffuse sources that provide a soft flattering effect. As with spa settings, lighting must make end users and their guests look great in restaurant projects as well. The designer should also account for aging eyes that may require higher light levels to clearly read menus. If low light levels are requested by the operator, perhaps review the menu’s font size and contrast to assist with visual tasks. Once illumination of faces and food are addressed, focus on the perimeter and architectural lighting, which should be well integrated within the architectural features and coordinated with the interior designer’s concepts.
These are just some of the design recommendations integrated into ANSI/IES RP-9-23 Recommended Practice: Lighting Hospitality Spaces, which also includes recommendations for casinos/gaming and other recreational spaces integrated as part of hospitality buildings. The information reflects many years of research and experience from prominent designers and industry professionals who have contributed their time and input. While the field changes and evolves over time with new trends and technology, basic principles of responsible practice for the guest experience remain and are covered in the RP.
The IES Hospitality Lighting Design Committee relies on volunteers. If you have a passion for hospitality lighting, consider joining the committee that helps shape the future of this industry. Designers, manufacturers, educators and end-users of all levels of expertise are encouraged and welcomed to join. For more information, please contact Emlyn Altman at ealtman@dlrgroup.com or Nick Bleeker at Nick.Bleeker@outlook.com.
THE AUTHORS | Chip Israel is CEO and founder of Lighting Design Alliance. He has been a contributing Member of the IES Hospitality Committee for more than 15 years.
Nick Bleeker is the executive director of NB Consulting and Market Development. He served as the IES Hospitality Committee chair from 2003 to 2013.
Peter Hugh is president of Hugh Lighting Design. He is the IES Hospitality Committee vice chair and previously served as the committee’s co-chair from 2013 to 2015.
Emlyn G. Altman is senior lighting designer and senior associate at DLR Group. She is the IES Hospitality Committee chair.