A Collaborative Triumph in Façade Lighting
By Line Goyette
Danny Streit, Partner and Design Director at DHS Lighting Design, shares the story of transforming the façade of 3200 West End Avenue in Nashville. With 25 years of experience in architectural lighting and control system design, Danny led the project, working closely with architects and contractors to enhance the building’s aesthetics and visibility through innovative lighting solutions. This case study showcases how thoughtful design and collaboration brought the building’s exterior to life.
The 5-story building at 3200 West End Avenue in Nashville recently underwent a transformation under new ownership. The goal was to enhance the building’s exterior aesthetics and visibility. Hasting Architects was chosen for the architectural redesign, and DHS Lighting Design was tasked with creating a striking façade lighting solution.
Danny Streit, Design Director
Collaborative Design Process
From the outset, collaboration was key.
The architect and DHS Lighting Design collaborated closely, meeting on-site to explore potential lighting concepts. We determined that accentuating the building’s pilasters with ground-mounted, controlled beam projectors would create the most visually appealing effect. By utilizing a 3D export from the client’s Revit model, we developed a Sketchup replica of the building, allowing us to accurately visualize and compare different lighting concepts using specialized software.
Danny Streit, Design Director
Creative Lighting Concepts
Two distinct concepts were created to highlight the building’s architecture through strategic use of light and shadow.
Concept 1 above: Employed ground-mounted 3600-lumen projector spots with a 7-degree beam to illuminate the sides of the pilasters, creating a striking contrast of light and shadow.
Concept 2 above: Moved the projector spots to the front of the pilasters. Although less of the vertical surface was illuminated, this concept provided a more dramatic contrast and added an accent to the building’s top. Small 7-degree spots were also added below the roofline to highlight the top of the pilasters.
Tailored Implementation: To ensure the design vision was fully realized, DHS Lighting Design provided complete specifications for the ground and building-mounted luminaires, focusing on a clean and efficient installation. Remote drivers were used for a seamless appearance. The placement and aiming of the fixtures were meticulously calculated and coordinated on-site with the client, lighting agent, and contractor.
Final Outcome: The final installation perfectly replicated the design concept, creating a visually stunning façade that delighted the building’s owner. The project’s success was a testament to the close collaboration between all parties involved—architect, lighting agent, contractor, and designer. This project exemplifies how thoughtful design, advanced technology, and collaboration can transform a building’s exterior into a landmark of beauty and visibility.
Danny Streit, Partner, Design Director of DHS Lighting Design, is a seasoned lighting designer based in Nashville, TN, with 25 years of experience in architectural lighting and control system design. As the Design Principal at DHS Lighting Design, Danny has built a reputation for delivering innovative lighting solutions across various applications.
He is a recognized leader in the field, holding memberships and certifications with esteemed organizations such as the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), the National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions (LC), AIA, USGBC, and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), where he also served as past president.
Danny’s passion for lighting design is fueled by a deep commitment to quality, community, and sustainability. His extensive travels have given him a broad perspective on lighting, which he uses to solve complex design challenges. He values collaboration with those who seek better solutions in lighting design and remains dedicated to preserving our communities and dark skies.
Melinda Streit, Partner, CEO, is the CEO of DHS Lighting Design, bringing over 20 years of experience in business ownership and operation. Her diverse background spans several industries, where she played a key role in national conferences, participated in a national mastermind business group, and received multiple industry awards. Her journey eventually led her to the lighting industry, where she now serves as the managing principal of DHS Lighting Design.
Melinda’s career path has been anything but conventional, blending her analytical skills with creative insights. This unique combination fuels her passion for overseeing the complex moving parts of running a business, including daily operations, planning, project proposals, contracts, accounting, design recommendations, and marketing. Her extensive experience across various industries has given her a deep appreciation for watching businesses grow, whether large or small.
For Melinda, the most rewarding aspect of her role is the opportunity to meet and collaborate with the talented and knowledgeable individuals in the design business. A self-admitted compulsive list-maker and planner, she also enjoys the unexpected turns that come with her role, finding intrigue in the unplanned paths she often takes.
Client/Owner: Volunteer State Bank, 3200 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN
Architect: Hastings Architecture, Nashville, TN
Lighting Equipment: GVA Lighting, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
