StudioK1 provided lighting design services for the new North Wing addition. This 30,000 square foot addition doubled the Bower's exhibition space and comprised a 300 seat state-of-the-art auditorium, two 5,000 square foot galleries, and a central atrium designed to host special events for up to 500 guests. The project also included designing the lighting for a new entry and garden, exterior courtyard, and parking lot.

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The new wing is a seamless melding of existing Spanish Mission-style architecture and cutting-edge contemporary design that brings invention to tradition. The lighting design needed to complement the architecture, be aesthetically pleasing, and serve the many needs of the museum while adhering to the strict California Title 24 energy codes.

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The dramatically illuminated exterior façade of the new wing features small windows in the parapet wall that are backlit using 32-watt Triple Biax 3000ºK compact fluorescent wet location floodlights, while the seat walls use 9-watt Double Biax step lights. Adjustable bullets highlight the entry arch with 35-watt Constant Color Precise MR16 flood lamps integrated into the structure, guiding visitors to the main entry.

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PAR20 ceramic metal halide uplights reinforce the architecture, while small aperture 50-watt Constant Color Precise MR16 downlights provide the general illumination without distracting from the view of the interior.

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Visitors enter the new wing through a transitional space where lighting is seamlessly integrated into the architecture. Fluorescent cove lighting creates a floating ceiling, while MR16 adjustables are located within small recessed slots. Daylight controls and energy-efficient sources are incorporated throughout to comply with energy codes and provide savings over the project's life.