AUERBACH POLLOCK FRIEDLANDER

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (March 18, 2005) - Auerbach Glasow, Architectural Lighting Design and Consulting, San Francisco, worked closely with the design team of acclaimed Italian architect, Gae Aulenti, and the prominent firm of Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum on the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Auerbach Glasow designed the architectural lighting for the public spaces, galleries and the exterior of the Museum. The project retains the historic architectural lighting elements of the 1917 structure while breathing new life into the renovated spaces. The firm provided the design for restoration and refurbishment of the original historic fixtures in the Main Entry and the three-tiered chandelier in Samsung Hall.

The Museum houses 15,000 pieces of art and is the largest collection of Asian art outside of Asia. The architectural lighting adds drama to the public spaces accenting the vaulted ceilings, moldings, inscriptions and stone floors original to the building. All public spaces, except the permanent galleries, are controlled from a central dimming system. Individual rooms also have discrete control zones and control stations.

Central to the building are indoor courts with skylights that allow natural light to warm the space and open up the historic main stair and loggia. Custom fixtures were designed for general lighting and art accent lighting in the Central Court based on an original design created by Gae Aulenti. The pieces are a key lighting feature of this area.

The exterior lighting designed by Auerbach Glasow, included the refurbishment and enhancement of the Building Façade and Larkin Street Entry Plaza.

FACT SHEET

INTERIOR

Main Entry

The Main Entry is one of the spaces that remains mostly unchanged in the historic building’s architecture. Lighting was created to highlight the ornate details of the foyer including its original light fixtures, plaster ceiling and travertine walls.

Restoration and refurbishment of the existing original historic pendants use compact fluorescent sources.
Existing incandescent electrical components and slumped amber glass panels were replaced with new compact fluorescent sources and white frosted glass.
The historic torchieres’ existing electrical components and acrylic diffuser were replaced with a new compact fluorescent source and white frosted glass.
Recessed adjustable low voltage MR16 framing projectors illuminate donor’s busts, the donor’s inscription wall and draw attention to the original architecture.

Main Stair and Loggia

A grand stair remains from the original structure and connects the ground and second floor. The surrounding stair loggia opens to the Central Court filling the loggia volume with daylight.

On the main stair, asymmetric quartz incandescent uplights in the barrel vault warmly illuminate the volume.
Metal halide theatrical fixtures provide a crisp definition of the grand staircase.
Dimmable fluorescent striplights above the laylights control the brightness for daytime and nighttime use.
The lighting designers integrated low voltage adjustable accent lights to punctuate the glass art display cases in the loggia perimeter.
Miniature low voltage striplights illuminate original historic inscription panels.

Samsung Hall

Formerly the 2-story card catalog room of the old Main Library, Samsung Hall has been transformed into a special events and performance space.

Auerbach Glasow provided the design for restoration and refurbishment of the original three-tiered chandelier and fitted the piece with new electrical components including special clear carbon filament lamps.
Asymmetric quartz incandescent uplights produce soft, warm ambient lighting and highlight the room’s grand arched windows and coffered ceiling.
Low voltage accent lights silhouette the columns that flank the Samsung Hall’s two entrances.
Two separate downlighting systems have been integrated into the historic ceiling, a dimmable incandescent system whose primary use is for parties and events and a switched metal halide system for clean up and lectures.

Central Court

The historic Main Entry opens into the newly created grand Central Court which marks the most significant architectural difference in the new Asian Art Museum and the former San Francisco Public Library building. The Central Court is modern and airy with two large skylights, accentuating the grandeur of the original structure. Daylight fills the space and brings it to life creating a dramatic public gathering space for art exhibits and special events.

Skylight uplights illuminate the building above the Central Court skylights and emphasize the vertical height of the space.
Custom fabricated rectangular multiple-head adjustable PAR38 lamps, based upon an original design created by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni, are used for general lighting and art accent lighting and are a key lighting feature of this area.
Custom fabricated square and rectangular frame multiple-head adjustable low voltage MR16 lamps were used for downlight and art accent light. This signature light fixture, again based upon an original design by Aulenti and Castiglioni, is integrated within architectural notches in the floating ceiling panels.

Second and Third Level Galleries

The Second and Third Level Galleries offer more than 29,000 square feet of space to exhibit the Museum’s permanent collection. A new floor plate divides old Main Library reading rooms and expands floor space for the close to 2,500 pieces on display.

Corner square galleries on the second and third floor use concentric recessed flangeless tracks that are integrated with the articulated ceiling details in the space.
The second floor west and east long galleries feature a sloping ceiling with structural cross beams. The lighting here is recessed flangeless tracks symmetrical about the ceiling peak. They are closely spaced to maximize flexibility. The track profile was specially designed for a sloped ceiling condition.
On the third floor, a recessed track has been carefully integrated within the original historic painted beam ceiling.

Café

The Museum’s elegant self-service café features gourmet food from around the globe.

Patterns of recessed downlights contribute to the overall warmth of the room.
A repeat of the custom fabricated square frame multiple-head adjustable fixtures ties the space to the Central Court beyond.

Peterson Lounge

The Peterson Lounge is reserved for donors and other VIPs visiting the Museum. It will also be used occasionally for special events.

Asymmetric throw uplights gently wash the ceiling.
Recessed accent lights wash the wood paneled walls.

Private Dining Room

The Private Dining Room that is adjacent to the Café is made from what once was the side entry to the Library. This intimate space will be used for special functions and VIP dining. Lighting in this area features asymmetric throw uplights that wash the ceiling vault to provide indirect lighting.

Museum Store

The key anchor of the Central Court, the Museum Store, carries a wide-variety of unique and Asian-themed merchandise from around the world. The store is a glass-enclosed box with floor-to-ceiling window displays.

A Low voltage rail system with individual MR11 spotlights is integrated within window display casework to highlight the merchandise and create sparkle.
General merchandise lighting uses recessed flangeless 2-circuit track lighting with a combination of flood and spot low voltage MR16 accent lights.
An internal jewelry and cash wrap low voltage striplight provides accent lighting of smaller objects.

EXTERIOR

Larkin Street Entry Plaza

Auerbach Glasow refurbished existing original historic light standards including electrical wiring, a new metal halide source and a glass refractor globe.
Pole mounted metal halide accent lights with linear spread lenses illuminate the Asian Art Museum inscription panel.
Pole mounted metal halide area lights illuminate the plaza, supplement the historic light standards and visually reinforce the main entrance gathering area.

Building Façade

The base of the building is floodlighted with surface mounted asymmetric compact fluorescent wallwashers on Larkin Street and part of Fulton Street.
The McAllister Street side of the building is floodlighted with surface mounted metal halide accent lights with a linear spread lens.
Second level arched windows are illuminated with metal halide PAR20 accent lights on Larkin Street and Fulton Street.
The top crown articulation is backlighted with linear fluorescent fixtures, giving passers-by a silhouette effect from Larkin Street and Fulton Street.
The Larkin Street façade second level colonnade is backlighted with metal halide PAR30 uplights, creating a silhouette effect for passers-by.
Metal halide PAR30 accent lights illuminate banners at the colonnade and on the Larkin Street façade.
Metal halide PAR38 accent lights illuminate flagpoles at top of building on the Larkin Street façade.
The Fulton Street ground level dining terrace is illuminated with metal halide PAR30 downlights at the second level and in-grade recessed compact fluorescent wallwashers


		AUERBACH GLASOW COMPLETES ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING DESIGN ON THE ASIAN ART MUSEUM OF SAN FRANCISCO SAN FRANCISCO, CA (March 18, 2005) - Auerbach Glasow, Architectural Lighting Design and Consulting, San Francisco, worked closely with the design team of acclaimed Italian architect, Gae Aulenti, and the prominent firm of Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum on the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Auerbach Glasow designed the architectural lighting for the public spaces, galleries and the exterior of the Museum. The project retains the historic architectural lighting elements of the 1917 structure while breathing new life into the renovated spaces. The firm provided the design for restoration and refurbishment of the original historic fixtures in the Main Entry and the three-tiered chandelier in Samsung Hall. The Museum houses 15,000 pieces of art and is the largest collection of Asian art outside of Asia. The architectural lighting adds drama to the public spaces accenting the vaulted ceilings, moldings, inscriptions and stone floors original to the building. All public spaces, except the permanent galleries, are controlled from a central dimming system. Individual rooms also have discrete control zones and control stations. Central to the building are indoor courts with skylights that allow natural light to warm the space and open up the historic main stair and loggia. Custom fixtures were designed for general lighting and art accent lighting in the Central Court based on an original design created by Gae Aulenti. The pieces are a key lighting feature of this area. The exterior lighting designed by Auerbach Glasow, included the refurbishment and enhancement of the Building Façade and Larkin Street Entry Plaza. FACT SHEET INTERIOR Main Entry The Main Entry is one of the spaces that remains mostly unchanged in the historic building’s architecture. Lighting was created to highlight the ornate details of the foyer including its original light fixtures, plaster ceiling and travertine walls. Restoration and refurbishment of the existing original historic pendants use compact fluorescent sources. Existing incandescent electrical components and slumped amber glass panels were replaced with new compact fluorescent sources and white frosted glass. The historic torchieres’ existing electrical components and acrylic diffuser were replaced with a new compact fluorescent source and white frosted glass. Recessed adjustable low voltage MR16 framing projectors illuminate donor’s busts, the donor’s inscription wall and draw attention to the original architecture. Main Stair and Loggia A grand stair remains from the original structure and connects the ground and second floor. The surrounding stair loggia opens to the Central Court filling the loggia volume with daylight. On the main stair, asymmetric quartz incandescent uplights in the barrel vault warmly illuminate the volume. Metal halide theatrical fixtures provide a crisp definition of the grand staircase. Dimmable fluorescent striplights above the laylights control the brightness for daytime and nighttime use. The lighting designers integrated low voltage adjustable accent lights to punctuate the glass art display cases in the loggia perimeter. Miniature low voltage striplights illuminate original historic inscription panels. Samsung Hall Formerly the 2-story card catalog room of the old Main Library, Samsung Hall has been transformed into a special events and performance space. Auerbach Glasow provided the design for restoration and refurbishment of the original three-tiered chandelier and fitted the piece with new electrical components including special clear carbon filament lamps. Asymmetric quartz incandescent uplights produce soft, warm ambient lighting and highlight the room’s grand arched windows and coffered ceiling. Low voltage accent lights silhouette the columns that flank the Samsung Hall’s two entrances. Two separate downlighting systems have been integrated into the historic ceiling, a dimmable incandescent system whose primary use is for parties and events and a switched metal halide system for clean up and lectures. Central Court The historic Main Entry opens into the newly created grand Central Court which marks the most significant architectural difference in the new Asian Art Museum and the former San Francisco Public Library building. The Central Court is modern and airy with two large skylights, accentuating the grandeur of the original structure. Daylight fills the space and brings it to life creating a dramatic public gathering space for art exhibits and special events. Skylight uplights illuminate the building above the Central Court skylights and emphasize the vertical height of the space. Custom fabricated rectangular multiple-head adjustable PAR38 lamps, based upon an original design created by Gae Aulenti and Piero Castiglioni, are used for general lighting and art accent lighting and are a key lighting feature of this area. Custom fabricated square and rectangular frame multiple-head adjustable low voltage MR16 lamps were used for downlight and art accent light. This signature light fixture, again based upon an original design by Aulenti and Castiglioni, is integrated within architectural notches in the floating ceiling panels. Second and Third Level Galleries The Second and Third Level Galleries offer more than 29,000 square feet of space to exhibit the Museum’s permanent collection. A new floor plate divides old Main Library reading rooms and expands floor space for the close to 2,500 pieces on display. Corner square galleries on the second and third floor use concentric recessed flangeless tracks that are integrated with the articulated ceiling details in the space. The second floor west and east long galleries feature a sloping ceiling with structural cross beams. The lighting here is recessed flangeless tracks symmetrical about the ceiling peak. They are closely spaced to maximize flexibility. The track profile was specially designed for a sloped ceiling condition. On the third floor, a recessed track has been carefully integrated within the original historic painted beam ceiling. Café The Museum’s elegant self-service café features gourmet food from around the globe. Patterns of recessed downlights contribute to the overall warmth of the room. A repeat of the custom fabricated square frame multiple-head adjustable fixtures ties the space to the Central Court beyond. Peterson Lounge The Peterson Lounge is reserved for donors and other VIPs visiting the Museum. It will also be used occasionally for special events. Asymmetric throw uplights gently wash the ceiling. Recessed accent lights wash the wood paneled walls. Private Dining Room The Private Dining Room that is adjacent to the Café is made from what once was the side entry to the Library. This intimate space will be used for special functions and VIP dining. Lighting in this area features asymmetric throw uplights that wash the ceiling vault to provide indirect lighting. Museum Store The key anchor of the Central Court, the Museum Store, carries a wide-variety of unique and Asian-themed merchandise from around the world. The store is a glass-enclosed box with floor-to-ceiling window displays. A Low voltage rail system with individual MR11 spotlights is integrated within window display casework to highlight the merchandise and create sparkle. General merchandise lighting uses recessed flangeless 2-circuit track lighting with a combination of flood and spot low voltage MR16 accent lights. An internal jewelry and cash wrap low voltage striplight provides accent lighting of smaller objects. EXTERIOR Larkin Street Entry Plaza Auerbach Glasow refurbished existing original historic light standards including electrical wiring, a new metal halide source and a glass refractor globe. Pole mounted metal halide accent lights with linear spread lenses illuminate the Asian Art Museum inscription panel. Pole mounted metal halide area lights illuminate the plaza, supplement the historic light standards and visually reinforce the main entrance gathering area. Building Façade The base of the building is floodlighted with surface mounted asymmetric compact fluorescent wallwashers on Larkin Street and part of Fulton Street. The McAllister Street side of the building is floodlighted with surface mounted metal halide accent lights with a linear spread lens. Second level arched windows are illuminated with metal halide PAR20 accent lights on Larkin Street and Fulton Street. The top crown articulation is backlighted with linear fluorescent fixtures, giving passers-by a silhouette effect from Larkin Street and Fulton Street. The Larkin Street façade second level colonnade is backlighted with metal halide PAR30 uplights, creating a silhouette effect for passers-by. Metal halide PAR30 accent lights illuminate banners at the colonnade and on the Larkin Street façade. Metal halide PAR38 accent lights illuminate flagpoles at top of building on the Larkin Street façade. The Fulton Street ground level dining terrace is illuminated with metal halide PAR30 downlights at the second level and in-grade recessed compact fluorescent wallwashers