A Symphony of Light: Illuminart's Transformative Touch on Ford's Experience Center

In 2018, independent lighting design firm Illuminart, a Division of Peter Basso Associates embarked on a remarkable journey alongside Ghafari to illuminate the Edsel B. Ford II Experience Center, an integral part of Ford’s 305-acre Dearborn campus transformation. This innovative space, integral to Ford's Dearborn campus transformation, aimed to be a hub where employees, dealers, customers, and thought leaders converged to shape the future of mobility.

Led by Robert White, IALD, LC, IES, and Elizabeth Williams, LC, IES, the dynamic Ford Experience Center hosts various functions in its main lobby, necessitating a lighting design that not only captures Ford's essence but also provides flexibility to adapt to different event tones.

Elizabeth explained that a key design goal was to enhance subtle architectural elements, nodding to the iconic curve of the Ford logo. The oval shape of the building itself became a silent yet powerful statement of Ford's presence. Elizabeth stated, “One of the goals was to make it very much a Ford building, kind of having a sense for where you are without them having to be explicit about having branding logos in any place."

To achieve this vision, Illuminart specified Q-Tran’s flexible encapsulated Q-CAP fixtures, selecting the side-bending KURV profile. KURV’s flexible properties allowed the fixtures to follow the curved lines of the glass railing, creating seamless continuous runs. The internal reflector in Q-CAP produced nuanced layers of light, accentuating the glass panels along the railing and guiding visitors through the space. Specifying Q-Tran’s flexible encapsulated Q-CAP fixtures allowed lines of light to punctuate the brand tie-in. Robert added, "The lighting design not only strengthened brand messaging but also became pivotal in creating an immersive experience.”

The RGBW light engine of Q-CAP proved crucial, offering the ability to create any color, including the iconic Ford blue, adapting to car displays or transitioning between different themes. "The versatility of the RGBW light engine allowed us to enhance the overall visitor experience," emphasized Elizabeth.

The Ford Experience Center stands as a testament to lighting design’s ability to inspire occupants. Due to the thoughtful placement of Q-CAP fixtures, Illuminart’s design allows Ford to reflect the company’s rich history while inspiring the future of the brand. This dynamic lighting design not only reinforces Ford's identity but also transforms the visitor experience, seamlessly adapting to different themes and moods. By elegantly merging form and function, Illuminart has not only illuminated the space but also ignited a sense of wonder and inspiration within this iconic center.