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What It Was

theWit Hotel was envisioned by owner/developer, ECD Company, and architectural firm, Koo & Associates, as a state-of-the-art hotel experience. The property combines glamour and sophistication with intellect and humor—wittiness. With breathtaking views of the Chicago River, the skyline, and Millennium Park, the hotel has 298 rooms and suites, a two story lobby, a full service spa, a roof-top bar, meeting, banquet, and entertainment spaces, including a state of the art theater.

The lighting design was completed and installed two years before the interior design. The lighting had to be flexible enough to adjust to the interior designer’s requirements.

What We Did

Lightswitch Architectural educated the project design team on color temperature and the capabilities of modern CFLs. Incandescent lamping would not have met energy code requirements, nor the owner’s energy efficiency goals. During mock up, CFL lamps from different manufacturers were tested for the best color temperature and quality, the lowest mercury counts possible, and the best looking shape for each guest room luminaire.

Working with the interior designer as the owner’s advocate to ensure that luminaires met practical, durability and maintenance requirements, Lightswitch Architectural was able to enhance the design in many areas: Acrylic tops were added to luminaires for better aesthetics; separate switches were installed on luminaires with two lamps; luminaires with loose screws were re-designed with captive or no screws, simplifying maintenance; and ballasted luminaires replaced screw in CFLs.

The key to guest satisfaction in a hotel bathroom is having enough light to shave or apply makeup. At theWit, theatrically placed 2700K, 85 CRI CFLs on either side of the mirror and a 35w MR16 behind the guest’s head provide ample light. In addition, there is a portable lighted mirror on the vanity, if needed.

The guest room hallways are lit with a custom dual lamp fluorescent sconce. Spotlights highlight each door to continue the mood and create a feeling of comfort, as the guest is guided to their room.

Why It Worked

Designed with the guest in mind, the lighting in the rooms allows for comfort and use. Special attention was given to color, temperature and color rendering to make the hotel feel like home. Working with the interior designer ensured the most efficient, practical and attractive lighting solutions.

The lighting takes into account energy efficiency and fiscal responsibility for both development and long term maintenance costs.

theWit hotel lighting systems use 1.1 watts per square foot, exceeding local energy code requirements while providing decoration and illumination. The first electric bill after occupancy came in two thirds less than expected for a hotel of its size. The energy savings are an invisible bonus to the owner and the innovative, creative lighting allows for a better guest experience.

theWit received the "Best of 2009" Project of the Year award in the retail category from Midwest Construction.

Photographs copyright Wayne Cable Photography