Hubbell Lighting's LED fixtures perform indoors and out at Arkansas arts center

Case Study: New Construction
Project Name: Marion Performing Arts Center
Type of Facility: Performing Arts Theater
Location: Marion, Arkansas
Video - http://www.hubbelllighting.com/newsroom/hubbell-lighting-shines-at-marion-fine-arts-center/

Project Challenge - An Unwavering Commitment to Sustainability
Any development or construction endeavor within the Marion School District in Marion, Arkansas, begins with a rigorous sustainability investigation to ensure the project will adhere to its strict "30-year outlook" strategy. Leaders at the district have established this benchmark to ensure that any commissioned project sustain itself for at least 30 years.

They live by the motto - "do it right the first time, make it last and leave a sustainable legacy."

The District has been recognized for employing sustainable technologies like geothermal heating and cooling. When it came time to plan for the development of the Marion Performing Arts Center it was no surprise that the indoor and outdoor lighting design would find itself on center stage.

The lighting design team faced three critical challenges.

1. Environmental. An EnergyStar rating was non-negotiable.

2. Performance. The nature of the facility demanded a high-lumen package that would offer precise control of LED lighting throughout the entire building.

3. Maintenance. The lighting solution had to prove it would reduce the time and effort needed from maintenance operations.

Hubbell Lighting's Solution - Sustainability & Performance Take Center Stage
When it opened in January 2016, the Performing Arts Center - a 916 seat 8,000 square-foot house with a 45 foot stage and professional-grade sound system - was christened a success. It is a stunning facility that makes a statement both from the inside and the outside. It can be seen from I-55, making it a beacon for Marion. And while it is on the grounds of Marion Junior High School, it serves as a primary destination for the community and district at large, playing host to various music acts, Broadway shows and dance performances.

Marion Junior High School is EnergyStar certified. Even though the Performing Arts Center called for a more sophisticated lighting solution, sustainability goals would not be sacrificed.

The lighting team of Hubbell Lighting, PKM Architects, Canup Engineering and Spectrum Lighting & Controls compiled a selection of lighting products that would achieve the light management, performance and flexibility needs of the Center. Hubbell Lighting features one of the largest portfolios of LED residential and commercial fixtures as recognized by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA).

Blending in naturally with the architectural environment of the Center would be critical, and the team selected specific lighting products that would complement the creative design ambitions while meeting strict sustainability goals.

One of these unique challenges included the "floating ceiling clouds" in the main auditorium which dictated the luminaries be spaced out further apart than typically done in auditoriums of this size. To minimize any distraction from the design, the team chose to use Prescolite's MC10LED Megalum cylinder, one of the only products on the market for ceilings that extend 30' and beyond capable of empowering the team to space out each luminaire location further than could be normally done under the circumstances.

The Megalum is an innovative high lumen LED product, available in both downlights and cylinders with an array of mounting options, that takes performance and spacing options to a new level. This was the first time it was used in a large-scale auditorium application. The performance of the Megalum ensured the proper 30 footcandle level could be achieved.

To compliment the 12,000 lumen Megalum's doing the work in the main seating area, the team decided to continue with the spacing advantage it offered and utilized the 6,000 lumen fixture in the perimeter and rear auditorium aisles.

The ability to dim with precision was another critical challenge. Since this is an auditorium, the fixtures were specified with the “2DM” Lutron 2-wire, one percent dimming option. Megalum has simplified control by offering dimming systems compatible with a variety of architectural control systems and/or entertainment consoles for both new construction and retrofit applications.

Hubbell Lighting Products - LEDs offering long life, low energy and reduced maintenance included:
• 16 MC10LEDP12L30K were used as the main light source for the interior auditorium seating.
• 14 MC10LEDP6L30K were used in perimeter and rear auditorium aisles.
• 51 Prescolite Liteframe LED downlights were used in exterior soffits.
• 9 Beacon Products Small Viper fixtures were used in the parking lots.
• 5 Beacon Products Traverse Wallpacks were used for building mounted lighting.
• 7 Kurt Versen L134-P5 cylinders were used in the lighting booth.
• 44 Dual-Lite emergency units and exit signs are used to secure a safe environment.

Solution Benefits - The Light Performance
This comprehensive lighting solution from Hubbell Lighting provides four key benefits to the Marion County Performing Arts Center.

The quality of the light is enhanced through performance and control. The operator has precise control to utilize light where, how and when they want it both inside and outside of the building.

All of the luminaires in the solution complement, rather than compete with, the macro architectural design of the facility aspired by the architect. This was accomplished without any sacrifice to the strict sustainability goals.

The solution features reliable luminaires that are designed to increase the safety and security of the patrons that visit the facility.

Every single luminaire specified in this project is an energy-saving LED that, when combined with reduced labor and maintenance costs, will provide the Center with a significant return on the investment. The complete lighting solution will reduce energy use and lifetime cost of ownership, a critical component to meeting the 30-year objective of the District. They expect to secure EnergyStar approval very soon.

Testimonials -
"The single most important objective for the Marion County Performing Arts Center project to me was its ability to deliver on the 30-year promise for low maintenance and energy costs. We absolutely wanted the facility to be stunning but we wouldn't budge on our goals and sacrifice beauty and performance for sustainability. The sum of these innovative products from Hubbell Lighting's portfolio of brands were a key to our success. Each product plays a role, from the lights that keep our patrons safe in the parking lot, to those that contribute to the ambiance on the main floor. I look forward to seeing the Center light up for many years to come."
Jeffery Altemus – Deputy Superintendent, Marion School District

Contact:

Michael McCullough - Hubbell Lighting