This 40,000 square feet lavish Island Retreat multi-story building with lighting designed by 521 Atelier, was recognized by the Illuminating Engineering Society with a Philadelphia Certificate of Merit & National Award early this summer.
Founded on a cliff in the Caribbean, you can find two pools, open cabana pavilion with outdoor kitchen, game room with bar and large roof deck, separate master bedroom pavilion, screening room, gym, massage room, guest and staff quarters, and several garages. It also has a dock for a 100 ft catamaran and various other small boats.
Surpassing green building standards without sacrificing aesthetics, the lighting for the 40,000 square feet island retreat is nearly all LED and specified in marine-grade stainless. Several of the seventy different fixture types were custom-designed because the site is on a cliff and vulnerable to earthquakes and hurricanes.
“I’m grateful to the IES for recognizing the work that went into this project,” said Claudia Librett, former ballet dancer and design principal for 521 Atelier. “It’s a pleasure to bring stunning architecture to light.”
The Union League of Philadelphia was the site of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia’s 2014 Preservation Achievement Awards, where the Rittenhouse Square Centennial Restoration project was honored with a Grand Jury Award. Commissioned for the 100th anniversary of Paul Cret’s redesign of Rittenhouse Square, 521 Atelier specified new linear spread LED post lighting to illuminate areas of the balustrade that are particularly susceptible to graffiti, the guardhouse will become a beacon after dark, and the gardener’s cottage will be surrounded by a “green screen” fence that is brightly lit at night. Soon to be installed is new sustainable lighting for the ceramic fountain and pool inspired by the Villa Borghese in Rome.
“Working with the Friends of Rittenhouse Square, Materials Conservation, Knapp Masonry, Bolender Architects and other professionals to preserve and restore Philadelphia’s favorite park was an honor and a privilege,” said Librett.
The Illuminating Engineering Society is a not-for-profit technical society whose purpose is to advance lighting knowledge and disseminate information for the improvement of the lighted environment to benefit society.
The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia is a nonprofit, membership organization whose mission is to promote the appreciation, protection, and revitalization of the Philadelphia region’s historic buildings, communities and landscapes.
Based in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, 521 Atelier provides lighting and interior design that reveals and enhances our clients’ vision while being energy efficient and sustainable. Projects include work for preservation, civic, commercial, corporate, hospitality and residential clients.