In this first-floor solar system exhibit at the Adventure Science Center in Nashville, Plexineon Blue outlines a circular opening above a globe.
A sign made from Plexineon Red Series and White 1X Series fixtures is in keeping with one exhibit’s old-time diner theme.
A Glow That’s Out of This World
Plexineon Creates Sense of Outer Space Inside Nashville Adventure Science Center
When a popular children’s museum in Nashville commissioned Tuck-Hinton Architects to design a 38,000-square-foot addition and replacement planetarium, the goal was to create an otherworldly experience for youngsters learning about Planet Earth and the solar system.
To replicate deep space, the resulting two-level exhibit hall at the Adventure Science Center is bathed in darkness, while iLight Plexineon Blue Series, Red Series and White 1X Series fixtures dramatically suggest celestial shapes and forms.
The Design Challenge
In creating the lighting scheme, SBLD Studio sought to introduce “neon-like” general illumination that would enhance — not distract from — the new exhibits, which were designed by Ralph Applebaum Associates. Neon would have been expensive and rigid, so Susan Brady, Principal at SBLD Studio, instead specified Plexineon to create the curves she envisioned.
“It came in a variety of colors and is very flexible,” she says, “plus we could shape the fixtures on site, which made for a much simpler and more cost effective installation.”
At the same time, Mark Skiba, Project Manager at EEI Global, specified Plexineon to create a sign for a new exhibit with a nostalgic diner theme. Working from graphic files that Skiba provided, iLight used Plexineon White 1X fixtures to craft wording and Plexineon Red to form cosmic shapes. The resulting panel was then delivered to EEI Global, which mounted it onto a custom substructure.
“In order to get that old-time look, the Plexineon was perfect,” Skiba says. “It was as close to neon as we could get, while being strong and safe in a space for children.”
“The Plexineon is still as bright as the day it was installed. The quality of light and the color surpasses neon because it has that consistent glow. When you see it throughout the space, it’s really stunning.” Chuck Miller, Principal Tuck-Hinton Architects
The Plexineon Advantage
Overseeing the project was Chuck Miller, Principal at Tuck-Hinton Architects, who says the museum application was his first experience with Plexineon — but certainly not his last.
“The flexibility of this product made it ideal for this application,” he says, adding that the saturated colors provide a glow that’s visible even from outside.
“The Plexineon is still as bright as the day it was installed,” he says. “The quality of light and the color surpasses neon because it has that consistent glow. When you see it throughout the space, it’s really stunning.”
On the second floor, Plexineon Blue encircles a replica star galaxy and Plexineon Red defines the perimeter.
Project Details
PROJECT
Museum
SITE
Nashville, Tenn.
LOCATION
Interior Application
PRODUCT USE
Direct View
LIGHTING DESIGNER
SBLD Studio New York
sbldstudio.com
SIGN DESIGNER
EEI Global, Inc.
www.eeiglobal.com
EXHIBIT DESIGNER
Ralph Applebaum Associates, Inc.
www.raany.com
ARCHITECT
Tuck-Hinton Architects PLC
tuck-hinton.com
PRODUCTS
Plexineon Blue Series, Red Series and White 1X Series
LENGTH
575 LF (144m)
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