| |

TD Garden Project Receives 2023 IES Lighting Control Innovation Award of Merit

October 27, 2023

This month, Lighting Controls Association (LCA) explore a high-impact networked lighting control solution installed at TD Garden in Boston. Lighting control design by HLB Lighting Design. Photography by Andy Caulfield and Bret Osswald.

TD Garden, Boston’s legendary sports and concert venue, lacked a physical connection with fans and the surrounding neighborhood. This 1.5 million square foot mixed-use complex, built on the site of the original Boston Garden, created new entertainment, retail, hotel, office, and residential building components designed to engage the community, activate the neighborhood, and celebrate team spirit.

Project goals included invigorating the streetscape, creating a new grand entry for events within the venue, and establishing this complex as an iconic part of the city skyline. Lighting and a whole-complex control system are the drivers binding the entire mixed-use property together, creating a dynamic nighttime entertainment experience. A mixture of static and dynamic color-changing lighting was used to transform the experience into an energetic hotspot.

A top priority was creating harmonious composition and visual cohesion across the very large-scale complex, integrating lighting as much as possible. A whole-complex networked control system with DMX capability allows for customized solutions which suit each building portion, weaving overall visual effects together to ensure ideal hierarchy, contrast and balance from end to end. Astronomical timeclocks adjust scenes after events to more sensitively blend into the late-night neighborhood. Centralized controls communication points provide much easier maintenance for the owner.

The complex’s central focal point is the captivating interior grand entry, aptly named Champs Row. DMX-controlled RGBW lighting layers activate the experience, working in unison with TD Garden programmed sporting events and concerts.

The multi-phase design and construction schedule created additional challenge. As building phases were completed over several years, each section was able to be tied into the central control system, allowing for whole-complex control, monitoring and quality control.

Designed to LEED Gold and IECC 2019, this all-LED dynamic color-changing mixed-use complex activates the Garden neighborhood, enhances team spirit, celebrates events, entertains, and inspires, invigorating Boston’s skyline.

TD Garden’s new 1.5M square foot sports entertainment complex required a harmonious, cohesive lighting and controls strategy to activate then neighborhood and enhance Boston’s skyline.
The mixed-use complex includes east and west podiums, a west art wall, central entry, and pedestrian planters, all with unique static and RGBWlighting solutions.
A whole-complex control system allowed for phased construction of segments over several years, weaving each section together to create a cohesive and dynamic streetscape.
The complex’s central focal point is the Champs Row grand entry. For non-event evenings, static white lighting is programmed to blend in with adjacent areas.
Uplights from each podium stretch into Champs Row, requiring careful controls blending to ensure balance. An RGBW color-changing escalator activates circulation and assists with wayfinding.
Trusses uplit by RGBW grazers reveal the structure. Truss-mounted accent lights illuminate upper west podium walls and provide everyday white or RGBW downlighting for events.
DMX-controlled lighting layers work in unison with TD Garden programmed sporting events, concerts and day-to-day settings. StreetSide planters integrated with RGBW tape light provide pedestrian-scaled connection.
The final phase, a 31-story corporate tower, was tied into the system last, giving the corporate client control, but allowing the owner access when needed.
The whole-complex networked control system with DMX capability weaves together project elements, ensuring continuity. Astronomical timeclocks adjust scenes to sensitively blend into the late-night neighborhood.
Using minimum luminances necessary to activate this Zone 4 destination while keeping energy to a minimum, this mixed-use complex enhances team spirit, entertains, and inspires.

The Lighting Control Innovation Award was created in 2011 as part of the Illuminating Engineering Society’s Illumination Awards program, which recognizes professionalism, ingenuity and originality in lighting design. LCA is proud to sponsor the Lighting Control Innovation Award, which recognizes projects that exemplify the effective use of lighting controls.

More information available here

Related Articles

Embracing User-Friendly Bluetooth Controls for Modern Lighting Systems
| |

Embracing User-Friendly Bluetooth Controls for Modern Lighting Systems

By Dañiel R. Luna-Fuller As the world continues to move toward energy efficiency and sustainability, end users increasingly recognize the value of upgrading their lighting systems to LED. However, the benefits of this transition extend far beyond just energy savings. By integrating smart controls into these systems, users can unlock a host of additional advantages,…

Access Lighting Announces New Warehouse Location
|

Access Lighting Announces New Warehouse Location

California-based Access Lighting has announced a new warehouse located in Greenville, SC, which will serve as its primary warehouse as of next month. “This new location illustrates our commitment to continuous improvement. We saw the opportunity to increase our efficiency with this new facility. This will translate to ease of doing business with Access Lighting…

| | |

Kahler Grand Hotel Renovates with Historic-Inspired Chandeliers from 2nd Ave Lighting and PFW Designs

Summary The Kahler Grand Hotel in Rochester, Minnesota, is undergoing a $50 million renovation, with two custom chandeliers from 2nd Ave Lighting, designed in collaboration with PFW Designs, as centerpiece features in its lobby. These chandeliers merge the hotel’s historic grandeur with modern elegance, inspired by its original lighting fixtures. The project honors the hotel’s…

Illumient Lighting Selected for $300,000 Roadway Project
| |

Illumient Lighting Selected for $300,000 Roadway Project

Toronto-based Clear Blue Technologies International Inc. has received a $300,000 order for 23 Illumient Smart Off-Grid solar street lights for the expansion of a major roadway in Oregon. The project is a follow-on order with a previous Illumient customer. The total lifetime contract value of the project is $425,000 and is expected to ship in…

Nora Lighting Selects SLS as Sacramento/Central Valley Rep
| |

Nora Lighting Selects SLS as Sacramento/Central Valley Rep

Commerce, Calif.-based manufacturer Nora Lighting is partnering with Smart Lighting Systems (SLS) to cover the area of Sacramento and the Central Valley of California. SLS replaces long-time Nora rep, Larry Swoboda of Swoboda Lighting, who retired after many years as a successful lighting representative. The addition of SLS will help Nora Lighting further expand its…

Latest Articles