Biopharmaceutical head office

When a Massachusetts clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company relocated its head office, OLSON LEWIS+ Architects (OL+) was brought in to complete the office and laboratory fit-out.

A unique central spiral staircase connects the multi-floor space. So, designers at OL+ utilized bespoke lighting to create a signature focal point.

“When meeting to discuss the initial design concepts, we presented the company’s design team with Eureka Lighting’s Celeste pendant,” said Michele Brooks, principal and director of life sciences at OL+. “Everyone responded positively to the artisanal glass shapes, loosely reminiscent of red cells, and a nod to the organization’s work with rare blood disorders.”

OL+ then developed the final design to include ten Array Celeste fixtures with five strands each. Each strand is a custom formation of the elegant artisanal casted glass discs. Seventeen discs are mounted at varying heights along each cable, giving the overall impression of the randomness of blood cells. The cables themselves range in length from 3’5” to 27’.

The luminaires are mounted in the ceiling in a circular formation to follow the staircase design. With a total of 170 discs, the immense arrangement crafts a unique, stunning chandelier in the hollow of the staircase.

Vertical stems pass through the discs to create a visual continuity with the cable. And because the cable is minimal, it seamlessly blends into the backdrop of the railing design. The glowing glass discs, visible from all three floors, appear to be “raining” down the center of the staircase.

“The final fixture gives an uplifting sense of vibrancy, a mood enhancer to all who pass by,” Brooks said.

High-end architectural lighting is featured elsewhere in the facility, including Eureka's Cycle large-scale circular pendants. The matte white rings in 36", 54", and 72" diameters are interspersed across open office areas. While blending with the white industrial ceiling above, each pendant still makes its presence known in its simplicity and sheer size. The luminous halos offer perfectly diffused direct illumination down to the workspaces below and indirect lighting up to the ceiling.

Casual seating clusters on the perimeter of the workstations benefit from Cycle Acoustic luminaires. A sound-absorbing structure is installed within the Cycle ring, reducing unwanted ambient noise generated in the lounge areas. The acoustic panels are composed of a synthetic felt that is at least 40% recycled PET, making them recyclable and odorless. Titanium Gray and Ocean Blue felt colors complement the furniture and floor covering.

Project Name: Confidential

Location: Massachusetts, USA

Architect: OLSON LEWIS+ Architects (OL+)

Completed: November 2021

Photography: Shelly Harrison Photography