Inspirational Search

Few architectural commissions demand as much of a lighting designer as a historic house of worship. At First Presbyterian Church in Macon, Georgia — a landmark of Gothic Revival craftsmanship — the challenge was to honor more than a century of richly detailed woodwork, soaring stained glass, and hand-carved ornament without overwhelming it. The result is a study in restraint: light that serves the architecture rather than competing with it.

TSLC's HB3014i linear LED fixture was deployed in a continuous run just above the clerestory windows, directing a precise 30×60 asymmetric beam upward to wash the ceiling plane above. The effect is immediately apparent in the photographs: the pale vaulted ceiling — framed by the church's signature dark timber ribs and ornamental cornice — glows with an even, cloud-like luminance that reads as naturally ambient rather than electrically produced. The structural geometry of the exposed trusses and cross-bracing reads with new clarity, each element articulated by the grazing light without harsh shadow lines.

The 30×60 beam distribution was critical here. A narrower optic would have produced hot spots along the ceiling field; a wider one would have spilled onto the clerestory glazing and competed with the stained glass itself. The asymmetric spread instead throws the bulk of the lumens onto the ceiling while keeping the window reveals clean — allowing the blues, greens, and golds of the historic art glass to remain the dominant visual element in the nave.

The ceiling-mounted square stained glass medallions — visible in the clerestory band — also benefit from the uplight, which catches their edges and adds depth to the decorative program without requiring any additional accent fixtures. It is a testament to what well-specified optics can achieve: a single fixture run producing multiple layers of perceptible effect.

The HB3014i's architectural-grade construction and compact profile made it well-suited for a sensitive historic environment where visual intrusion of the fixture itself was not an option. The congregation and its visitors experience only the light — not the source.

1587 Prime is the flagship steakhouse co-founded by Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce — its name a nod to their iconic jersey numbers — in partnership with hospitality group Noble 33. Located at 1500 Baltimore Ave in the heart of downtown Kansas City, the restaurant specializes in prime beef, American Wagyu, and Japanese A5 Wagyu, complemented by chef-driven preparations, signature sauces, and a handcrafted cocktail program. Designed for elevated dining, private celebrations, and special nights out, 1587 Prime blends modern steakhouse tradition with live music and a dynamic atmosphere that reflects the energy of the city itself.

The Smart Lighting Company specified the HB50B linear LED fixtures to illuminate the dramatic glass and metal façade, creating a striking first impression from the street. Mounted at grade level, the fixtures graze upward across the building's corrugated translucent panels, producing a warm amber wash that accentuates the texture and depth of the architectural cladding. The layered grid of bronze framing and illuminated panels commands attention after dark, drawing the eye from street level up through the building's full height, while potted evergreens lining the entrance catch the warm spill light and soften the contemporary exterior into a welcoming arrival experience.

The HB50B is purpose-built for exactly this type of high-intensity architectural grazing application. Powered by Nichia bin-sorted LEDs with output up to 1,400lm/ft, a single fixture can reach walls up to 80 feet tall — delivering the punch required to light a multi-story curtain wall from a low mounting position while maintaining the rich, warm color quality that defines 1587 Prime's after-dark presence. An IP66 wet-location rating, extruded aluminum housing, and industry-leading thermal management ensure the fixtures perform reliably through Kansas City's demanding climate, while Quik Lok daisy-chain connectivity keeps the installation clean and discreet at street level.