When Dyson chose Chicago’s historic Montgomery Wards catalog building as their new office, they were faced with an interesting design dilemma: how to marry the landmarked architecture with their sleek, tech-forward design aesthetic. Morlights was brought on to balance the existing architecture with Dyson’s futuristic appearance. We delivered an energy efficient, modern design within a tight budget, meeting the company’s needs for both their employees and for entertaining potential collaborators and clients.
Rather than fight or cover the existing architecture, we worked with the building to showcase its assets. We spotlit the ornate columns, and implemented adjustable, multi-track luminaries in the hallways with adjustable settings for varied effects. This flexible design was extended into the showroom, allowing for customized settings to complement the different products on display. When visitors and workers enter the lobby, they’re fully immersed in the Dyson persona with a sleek, clean, welcoming appearance. We implemented a design that uses lighting as spacial designators, dividing the office into clear, purposeful areas. This includes the warm light used outside the call and conference centers to create beautiful “jewel boxes” of glowing blue glass, as well as the burst of light on the brick wall that delineates the reception area from the office space. These features were all implemented with the tools of energy efficiency, like integrating emergency power into primary lighting, utilizing streamlined materials with targeted energy efficient luminaries, and procuring an astronomical time clock to save energy usage throughout the day. Morlights final design for Dyson matched the company’s brand and varying needs, and used lighting to highlight the products and the people that make the company great.
