Project
Jackson Square Office
Design Architect
Obata Noblin Office
Location
San Francisco, CA
Lighting Designer
PritchardPeck Lighting
Construction Manager / Owner Rep.
Brodie CM
General Contractor
Skyline Construction
Photography
Bruce Damonte
Revitalizing a whisky distillery in Jackson Square, the team aimed to transform the historic building into a modern office that embraced the concept of coffee-by-day and whiskey-by-night. The duality of the high performing workplace combined with vibrant social hub called for unique lighting and controls solutions within a compact 3,900sqft space.
Transitioning from a daytime office to nighttime entertainment presented challenges, necessitating meticulous detailing of lighting system, power distribution, use of residential techniques, and thoughtful controls integration. Warm-dim lighting, governed by timeclock-based scenes, facilitated a transformative visual shift from bright, crisp daytime light to soft, warm nighttime ambiance.
A wireless lighting system minimized costs and reduced the need for exposed infrastructure. Collaboration between the team and programmer yielded intuitive lighting scenes that flattered guests and created a memorable evening atmosphere. The lounge featured over ten lighting layers, making this process quite intensive while providing the opportunity to truly paint with light.
To lower energy consumption, uplights were integrated into the baseboard, reducing contrast with incoming daylight and supporting comfortable work light levels. Customized output and optics were carefully selected to meet strict energy requirements while achieving desired textural effects on the brick. The success of this approach hinged on extensive mockups and product reviews, alongside intricate detailing with existing flooring.
Indirect lighting was employed to prevent a corporate vibe while promoting a glare-fee workspace. To add sparkle and residential warmth, power and controlled outlets were integrated into millwork for decorative fixtures. With limited walls for concealing power, creative cord management became a design highlight.
Ultimately, controls and warm-dim technology were vital for the project’s success activating this historic workplace from the first sip of coffee through the last sip of whiskey each day. The design efforts shine through as soft light illuminates the windows, adding energy to the street below.
