The Chicago Art Institute’s Modern Wing is its own work of art. Opened in 2009 and designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano, the museum is a stunning homage to Chicago’s rich architectural history and Piano’s signature, light-filled galleries. Piano’s use of natural daylight is central to his approach, utilizing floor to ceiling windows to anchor the gallery in the passage of time. When Morlights was called in to fix failed LED fiber-optic lighting, we knew our design needed to complement Piano’s work with a sensitive lighting solution.
In order to redesign the existing case lighting, we coordinated with a large, complex team throughout multiple testing rounds. Beginning trials were conducted with replica cases, which were eventually brought into the Modern Wing to ensure our design was cohesive with the natural light. Throughout the process, we also accounted for the museum’s need of sensitive, controllable lighting for its more fragile artifacts, as well as the creation of a remote location for the fiber-optic illuminators to facilitate easier repair. This thorough testing resulted in case lighting that works in tandem with the day-lit spaces for cleaner, more detailed lighting.
