Bicentennial Hall

Anice Hoachlander/Hoachlander Davis Photography
Surface and object accent fosters a vibrant space for gathering and pondering. Two motorized spotlights allow for flexible key lighting of speakers.

“To come in and relight something that’s from 1855 and not intended to be internally illuminated this way is a difficult challenge.” —Juror Dawn Hollingsworth, Darkhorse Lightworks

To enhance the historic, aesthetic, and functional aspects of Bicentennial Hall, the oldest academic building at Virginia Theological Seminary, in Alexandria, Va., Stroik Lighting Design developed a noninvasive lighting approach that is deliberately muted. Indirect light sources provide uniform horizontal illumination for flexible task lighting and gentle accenting of the hall’s vertical surfaces and vaulted ceiling. The team also highlighted two displayed stone panel carvings from the palace of the Assyrian king (circa 850 B.C.). VTS’s sale of a third panel garnered significant funds for the project, the fabrication of a display case for the remaining two panels, and the commissioning of a replica casting of the auctioned panel.

An integrated, buildingwide dimming control system interfaced with audiovisual controls enables the space to have multiple lighting scenarios and helps minimize energy use. Occupancy sensors as well as a touchscreen menu of preset scenes help make the experience user friendly.

courtesy Stroik Lighting Design
Discreet luminaires provide multiple lighting tasks.

Anice Hoachlander/Hoachlander Davis Photography
Surface-mounted, adjustable accent luminaires with narrow optics graze the replica panel from a high point above the arch wall.

Anice Hoachlander/Hoachlander Davis Photography
Linear uplights, concealed within custom metal replicas of the rail form, serve to provide volumetric as well as task illumination.

Anice Hoachlander/Hoachlander Davis Photography
Linear uplights, concealed behind the balcony wooden balustrades and within metal replicas of the rail form, provide volumetric as well as task illumination.

Anice Hoachlander/Hoachlander Davis Photography
Integral linear tape light with narrow optics mounted to each of the purlins emphasize the character of the ceiling.

courtesy Stroik Lighting Design, Bowie Gridley Architects, RAM Design Studio
Adjustable sources at each end provide object graze effect, end-wall-wash, and graphic panel accent. Motorized spotlights offer flexibility when accent lighting speakers.

Anice Hoachlander/Hoachlander Davis Photography
The bearing walls are washed with concealed linear wall-wash luminaires mounted behind purlin arches. Tape light integrated below the balconies washes the lower walls.

courtesy Stroik Lighting Design
Main ambient light sources integrated to the backside of balcony balustrade are concealed from view within the room.

Anice Hoachlander/Hoachlander Davis Photography
A two-sided glass case with integrated lighting offers some fill light at the top of the artifact backdrop.

Details
Project Name: Bicentennial Hall
Location: Alexandria, Va.
Client/Owner: Virginia Theological Seminary
Lighting Designer: Stroik Lighting Design, Washington, D.C. • Christopher Stroik, AIA, Harry Raab
Architect: Bowie Gridley Architects, Washington, D.C. • Jonathan Rodvien, AIA, Heather A. Wnuk; RAM Design Studio, Washington, D.C. • Richard Molinaroli
Interior Designer: RAM Design Studio
Photographer: Hoachlander Davis Photography • Anice Hoachlander

Project Size: 1,400 square feet
Project Cost: Withheld
Lighting Cost: $100,000
Watts per Square Foot: 1.3
Code Compliance: 2012 International Energy Conservation Code
Lighting Product Manufacturers: Luminii, Elliptipar, Lighting Services Inc., Ecosense, Martin/Harman, Electrix