The lighting for the new Sumner M. Redstone Building and the renovation of the 265-foot Law Tower at Boston University Law School welcomes students, faculty, staff, and visitors to a visually cohesive learning environment that stitches together old and new spaces.
Sited on the Charles river, this refreshed classic example of brutalism has a new podium, exterior renovations, and with new
exterior and interior lighting, once more takes its place on the Boston nightscape.
The openness of the new classroom and assembly facility is emphasized with architecturally integrated lighting systems
that work with daylight and views to create a sense of connection with the rest of the BU campus.
Select spaces have daylight-responsive dimming controls to tune the lighting, contributing to significant energy savings. The lighting provides a nod to the original orthogonal tower, but provides large luminous circles in some key areas to soften
the stark materials and sharp angles. Generous patterns of brightness in public spaces foster a sense of community and
interaction.
As occupants move into the tower and up to more private spaces, the lighting becomes more modular and tuned to the particular requirements of offices, conference rooms, and special gathering spaces. Special attention was paid to lift lobbies and opportunities to express Josep Sert’s board
form concrete finishes.
The Redstone classroom additions offer multi-level lighting that is integrated with the ceiling system to highlight the architecture, illuminate the seating area, and direct attention to the front teaching area. It is equipped with a programmable control system to enable users to vary the lighting quality and intensity to meet a wide range of usages.
