Parking Structure Revs Up For Lightfair With Acclaim Rebel Band 600 LEDs

	Photo by Ryan Linton

Cutting-edge lighting displays will be viewable everywhere at the Pennsylvania Convention Center during Lightfair International 2013, April 21 - 25. Just in time for the world's largest annual architectural lighting trade show, the front of a new ten-story, privately-owned parking structure near the PCC has been outfitted with a permanent color-changing LED display that has made it an instant landmark with local residents and visitors alike.

Created by Sandra Stashik and Ryan Linton of architectural lighting design firm Grenald Waldron Associates (Philadelphia), the Convention Center Parking Facility Project -- as it's officially titled -- features the Rebel Band 600 RGB-CW, a high-power dual-panel LED fixture from Acclaim Lighting. The 14 Rebel Band 600 units are used to light a mesh scrim on the front of the parking structure, where they run through color programs designed by Linton.

Built on what had previously been a parking lot, the structure had been equipped with the front meshing by architectural firm Erdy McHenry Architecture before GWA came on board. "The architect had an idea from the beginning to do something with the mesh to make it interesting and engaging," says Linton, whose company was contracted by the garage's property manager, Realen Properties, to turn that vision into a stunning reality.

Given a free design hand, GWA considered using different fixtures to light the mesh, before settling on the Rebel Band 600. One of the Acclaim fixture's big pluses was that each unit is comprised of two individually adjustable panels sitting atop one another, allowing for greater design flexibility. "We liked the fact that we could aim the top section and bottom section separately," says Linton, noting that the Rebel Bands have a 25-degree optic aimed low and a 5-degree optic aimed high.

The scrim being lit by the fixtures is 155' wide and 115' tall. The Rebel Bands, which measure 26.8" x 7" x 21" (681 x 180 x 551 mm), are positioned centrally between each panel of mesh, at a distance of 11'3" apart. Since the parking structure has a green roof that sits at the base of 12 of the fixtures, mounting brackets were necessary to hold the units in place. Additionally, architect Erdy McHenry designed a special bracket for the remaining two units, which occupy the space over the garage's entry drive.

Along with the dual panels, bright output was another reason why the Rebel Band 600 was chosen for the parking garage project. "Output and aim-ability were the biggest deciding factors," says Linton. Each fixture contains one-hundred-four 3W Rebel LEDs, emitting 5665 total lumens at 5-degree (RGB), while drawing 270W of power. Outdoor rated at IP-65, the Rebel Band 600 has three-pin and five-pin waterproof IP-67 connectors. It is CE and cETLus listed.

When doing the programming, Linton allowed the Rebel Band 600's rich, brilliant colors to speak for themselves. "I basically did all of the solid colors they might want to use and, of course, white. Then I did a couple of short shows with seasonal color themes, like Christmas and the Fourth of July. I think they've been especially pleased with the cyan and purple," which provide a dramatic contrast to the structure's yellow "Park" sign. "There are now over thirty preset options programmed for their use," adds Linton.

The privately-owned parking garage with the color-changing LED lighting display near the Pennsylvania Convention Center has commanded quite a bit of attention. "People are saying that it has a unique look for a parking garage," says Linton. Lightfair attendees will soon get a firsthand look at this very distinctive project, which is currently being submitted for an IES Illumination Award.