Atelier Ten’s lighting works in harmony with the landscape and architecture to create a welcoming open space both day and night. Each space has a unique visual identity that is supported after dark by thoughtful integrated lighting. From central focal points, like the Performance Pavilion that glows from within, to circulation paths lit with overlapping spotlights to encourage ambling, the lighting supports the designs of each area.
Gene Leahy Mall is the first phase to be completed for the Omaha Riverfront Revitalization that reconnects downtown and the park system to the Missouri River. Atelier Ten’s lighting design creates comfortable and beautiful nighttime environments for visitors to enjoy while minimizing light pollution and conserving energy.
While pole-mounted lighting is the main source of general lighting, many integrated lighting details bring the park to life. Benches glow from below with bespoke fixtures. Unique shade canopies in the park’s plazas integrate lighting into the structure so they can be used for sitting after dark. Decorative light pendants adorn feature trees near the park’s signature slides. Selected trees are uplit to make the trunks and foliage feel like walls as if visitors were in an outdoor room. The bioswale that traverses the sculpture garden is lit with an abstract texture inspired by foliage, adding a layer of dappled light.
To highlight the sculptures featured in the park, Atelier Ten selected programmable LED spotlights with multi-colored LED sources to provide a rich white light so the colors of the artwork are deep and vibrant.
Light fixtures with special shielding and optics are used on custom poles throughout the park to reduce light pollution and increase visitors’ visual comfort. By carefully curating the contrast between highlight and shadow and by controlling light spill and glare, Atelier Ten improves night vision to enhance visitors’ sense of comfort and safety.
