Designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando in 1998 for the Art Institute of Chicago, this gallery embraces the intimate architecture of sixteen standing columns. More than 20 years later, critical lighting upgrades prompted the curatorial team to revisit the gallery’s illumination while preserving Ando’s seamless design.

Simple, angled custom light wells were introduced to conceal pinspot LEDs at the base of the screens, ensuring even, subtle lighting that does not detract from the architecture. WiFi-enabled track lighting was added overhead, allowing curators and installers to adjust settings remotely, avoiding disruption within the tight display cases.

The result is a lighting solution that remains flexible for future installations while maintaining the strict conservation requirement of a 5-footcandle limit. Thoughtfully integrated into the existing design, the new system enhances the gallery’s serene atmosphere, balancing the preservation of Ando’s vision with the practical needs of modern exhibition standards.