CLIENT: Madison Development Group – Luna Apartments 

CHALLENGE: Challenge the conventional idea of a long, dimly lit corridor and create a visually stimulating bright and welcoming pedestrian passageway  

RESULTS: A “split corridor” design, covered by a U-Lite translucent canopy fills the corridor with natural light while shielding occupants from the elements 

PRODUCT: U-Lite canopy 

DISTRIBUTOR/INSTALLER: Lacey Glass 

ARCHITECT: Hewitt 

________________________________________________________________

BACKGROUND: Situated in West Seattle’s Admiral District, Luna Apartments were created with a human-centered design that focuses on access to fresh air, sunlight and a common connection to one’s surroundings. 

CHALLENGE: The design team sought to challenge the conventional idea of a corridor. Instead of a dimly lit, windowless passageway used to get from one space to another, the architects at Hewitt wanted to provide a visually stimulating walkway that delivers a direct link to the dynamic and perpetually evolving patterns of outdoor illumination. 

SOLUTION: To do so, the design team considered the building’s size and shape, a long 113 by 301 feet rectangle, which allowed for the conventional double-loaded corridor arrangement to be pulled apart into a “split corridor” design, creating five smaller buildings. 

Next, the design team created access to the five buildings with open air bridges or “circulation spines” centered in the outdoor space between them. 

A U-Lite canopy by Kingspan Light + Air was used above the central open corridors to illuminate the space with natural light during the day while reducing glare and excess heat.  

Additionally, the translucent canopy provides high resistance to impact, such as blowing debris and heavy precipitation.  

Residents and guests can step outside an apartment door and experience the changing weather patterns within the structure while staying protected from the elements.  

Visually, the U-Lite canopy blends seamlessly into the overall sleek, contemporary design of the apartment complex.  

RESULTS: The U-Lite translucent canopy solution provides a safe and secure passage for residents and visitors while enhancing occupants’ comfort by adding light, ventilation and a sense of openness to the corridors.