SECRET LIBRARY IN THE SKY

Tucked within the windowless ziggurat of a landmark 1920s Chicago skyscraper, this penthouse’s hidden library presented a distinctive lighting challenge.  Hoiland Studios designed a lighting upgrade to highlight the special-edition books, artwork, and personal artifacts that give the space its character while preserving its established interior design.  The existing decorative fixtures remained in place, complemented by carefully integrated layers of architectural lighting.  Discreetly positioned track lighting brings focused illumination to the collection.  Above the bookcases, picture lights were supplemented with targeted track lighting below, creating the impression that the decorative fixtures illuminate the full shelves while providing the additional light needed to comfortably explore the books and objects.  At the north and south ends of the room, linear grazers with narrow beam optics were concealed behind an extension to an existing beam.  These fixtures illuminate artwork above and bookshelves below with precise control, avoiding the broad spill of conventional tape lighting.  The upper reaches of the ziggurat were intentionally kept dark, drawing the eye toward the collection and preserving the library’s intimate atmosphere.  Updated lighting controls allow the room to shift from focused work at the owner’s desk to entertaining guests eager to explore the memorabilia.  For the owner, an avid bibliophile, the most meaningful change is also the simplest: being able to read the book spines and appreciate the details of the art and artifacts he has collected.