HLB lighting design updates LAX arrivals/departures depot

HLB lighting design updates LAX arrivals/departures depot
all images courtesy of HLB lighting

horton lees brogden lighting design, or simply HLB, was given the opportunity to re-imagine the los angeles international airport’s arrival and departure depot. the team sought a design that would be forward-thinking, timeless, and most of all, reflective of LA’s culture of optimism and innovation. in order to respond to the fast-paced schedule and nonnegotiable budget, HLB utilized existing product paired with a custom designed roadway distribution.

sculptural LED light pole

the lights are sculptural adapted pole shapes made of fiberglass and metal, with integrated LED technologies. each features a twelve-inch replaceable board with 3500k, 70CRI LEDs. total energy use is around 350 watts per pole, a roughly a third of what the original system consumed. in comparison to the previous conditions quality of the environment has been greatly improved, which inevitably creates a better visibility and navigation for foot and vehicular traffic.

in preparations, HLB used a series of high dynamic range photographs to document existing luminance conditions — as seen from the air traffic control tower. these, along with predictive photometric studies documented both before and after conditions, ensure appropriate visibility for controllers in all directions. in addition to the light poles, polychromatic ribbons of light were installed at the arrival bulkhead and departures canopy, and help tie the renovated curbside to the existing LAX infrastructure. 

polychromatic ribbons of light, bulkhead and departures canopy

LAX entrance 

installed replaceable light boards use 1/3^rd the energy of original systems 

light pole structural system 

updated luminaire brightness

previous curbside lighting conditions

high dynamic range photo used to document existing luminance conditions

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: nick brink | designboom