THE LAKEFRONT ON LANGDON
IIDA Award of Merit
The classic-deco 1920’s Memorial Union at UW Madison needed new dining facilities with a modern contemporary feel, befitting the building and spectacular lake views. Tight university budgets and unknown old construction proved formidable design constraints. For the Lakefront Café dining room, a flowing soffit with double cove was developed that allowed a raised ceiling around complex existing structures. Illuminating the upper wood ceiling with warm budget-conscious T8’s and the lower cove with blue-sleeved T8’s created an organic nautical style referencing the lakefront and classic-deco style.
Glowing round openings continue this contemporary-deco theme, coupled with circular sconces and unique 6’ pendants. These custom replacement bowls are illuminated from hidden 30” pancake low-bay fixtures, containing white and blue lamps separately circuited for day and night effects. By day these provide bright ceiling glow to compensate for daylight contrast along full-height glazing. At night with the fluorescent downlights dimmed, the blue soffit coves and blue bowls softly reflect in the windows and also create an appeal from the popular waterfront Terrace.
