Birmingham CrossPlex Natatorium & Bill Harris Arena – Lighting Designer / Materials Acquisition / Controls Commissioning

In addition to their phenomenal indoor track, the CrossPlex facility also features an indoor pool with (10) 50-meter lanes, 1-meter & 3-meter diving boards, and large LED video displays. The 5,000 seat multi-purpose Bill Harris Arena anchors the complex on the southwestern corner, and hosts a wide variety of sporting events as well as concerts, awards ceremonies, trade shows and other activities.

Lighting

As part of the entire lighting retrofit effort at CrossPlex, common circulation corridors, concourses, administrative offices, and meeting rooms as well as the events spaces were converted to LED technology.

In the pool, I replaced the existing HID indirect lighting with an asymmetric, low glare direct distribution system that significantly improved the illuminance levels and uniformity at the water surface while minimizing skip glare. The pool area's finishes and water color appearances were dramatically enhanced while reducing energy consumption by approximately 60%.

The illumination performance and quality of the visual environment at Bill Harris Arena was similarly improved by upgraded LED lighting and realized comparable energy savings. New wireless dimming controls using multiple major / sub zones allows substantial flexibility for tuning lighting intensities as desired.

I thoroughly enjoyed the privilege of engaging with this pioneering energy conscious initiative by the Birmingham Green Commission and their contractors. I loved spending time in The Magic City while learning more about its important, remarkable history and will post future pieces on other projects!