Conveniently located in downtown Columbus, this convention center Hilton has stepped up its hospitality experience for business executives as well as for vacationers seeking sophisticated comfort.
Providing new opportunities for the largest city and capital of Ohio to attract even greater events and conferences, this new construction convention center hotel has become a high-end new destination point downtown. The Hilton Columbus Downtown is comprised of 532 guest rooms, a full-service restaurant and lounge, and 31,000 square feet of conference facilities. An enclosed, elevated glass crosswalk spans a busy street, connecting the hotel to the existing convention center.
Custom lighting fixtures were specified to provide unique design elements throughout the space with a play on size and scale. With the desire for both LEED and Green Seal certifications, daylighting became a major design consideration within the structure, which houses a 100’-high atrium. Skylights allow natural light into the atrium during daylight hours; however, after dark, suspended high above the lobby, two-circuit direct/indirect pendants provide added illumination. Custom LED luminaires drape down the fireplace wall and atrium piers, presenting a unique focal point. The custom LED fixtures required the design of custom modules for ease of relamping.
In fact, LED sources were employed heavily within the design in both standard and custom configurations, along with fluorescent and ceramic metal halide. The careful selection of energy-efficient sources allowed the use of halogen IR products where source quality was critical. With 3000K as a standard, all sources were able to be matched successfully in color temperature for a seamless appearance.
The soaring 100’-high atrium proved to be a challenge for the design of the adjacent restaurant when it came to bringing a sense of intimacy to the dining area. The solution was to mount low-voltage track to the grid pieces and finish it to match. The suspended cable track fixtures create pinspots of light on each table. Large pendants and vertical standing versions of the custom LED sconces were created for the restaurant to maintain the theme’s continuity.
Another large area that needed special illumination is the lobby. For this space, the lighting is integrated into the architecture utilizing linear fluorescent recessed slots. Square CFL downlights mimic the rectangular shape and a linear fluorescent slot grazes the back wall, while artwork is accented by ceramic metal halide PAR 30L Combolights.
For the Hilton’s ballroom, a versatile design that can divide the space into 16 configurations was accomplished. Quartz downlights provide general illumination in the high ceiling when combined with a concealed linear fluorescent cove. Custom wall sconces and a chandelier add a cozy, residential touch. The large chandelier is lamped with 10-watt xenon bulbs for long life, smooth dimming, and energy efficiency.
The lighting plan also makes the elevated pathway between the hotel and the convention center very clear. The glass connector bridge crosses a main street downtown and was designed to be a focal point of the new hotel building from both an interior and exterior perspective. Color-changing LED linear lighting fixtures mounted on top of the chilled beam also provide dramatic visual interest to the downtown location.
Project At a Glance
Project: Hilton Columbus Downtown, Columbus, Ohio
Design Team: Ardra Paige Zinkon, IALD, MIES, LEED Green Associate, President & Director of Lighting Design at Tec Studio Inc., Columbus
Lighting Products Used: IRiS, Portfolio, RSA, Metalux, Shaper, Halo, Lumière, Neo-Ray,
Sure-Lites and Invue – all from Cooper Lighting
Award of Recognition: Professional Commercial Category, Cooper Lighting’s 36th Annual SOURCE Awards
Photography: Scott Pease Photography and ABK Tec Inc.
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