Berkshire Elementary School Gives Lumetta A+ for Its Class Act Lighting SolutionsJanuary 2022

Baltimore County Public Schools, located in Baltimore, MD, planned to reconstruct their Berkshire Elementary School. They recently designed the facilities as a prototype school, complete with media center, cafeteria, gymnasium and general classrooms.

GWWO Architects, also in Baltimore, was contracted to conceptualize and develop a setting that would achieve LEED Silver Certification—meaning it must include overall sustainability, use water efficiently, minimize energy in the atmosphere, minimize (reuse or recycle) materials and resources, and improver indoor environmental quality of air and lighting. The project’s sustainable elements included geothermal heating and cooling, recycled and sustainable materials, daylighting, LED light fixtures, and water-efficient plumbing and appliances.

The architectural firm chose Lumetta and Potomac Lighting to design and fabricate the lighting solutions. GWWO was confident that Lumetta’s products were the right choice as previous lighting projects completed with the manufacturer had been met with great satisfaction.

Lumetta’s easily cleaned diffusers, quick lead times, smooth delivery and installation, and their beautiful, sustainable products made them the architectural firm’s preferred choice for the project. Potomac Lighting’s Principal President, Sue Noble, worked closely with GWWO to develop precise specifications for the fabrication and installation of Lumetta’s Taper Pendants and Drum Pendants, which guaranteed a lively, sustainable atmosphere.

Lumetta’s Alluring Lighting Illuminates 121 Larchmere ApartmentsJanuary 2022

121 Larchmere Apartments, a modern, upscale living facility and a LEED Silver Certified apartment community located in Cleveland, OH, had previously been an abandoned storefront. The massive building was in rapid decline until First Interstate Properties, with support from local government and the neighborhood community, began their extensive renovations of the housing project.

The beautiful four-story, 88-unit apartment residence is located in the heart of the Larchmere Neighborhood. The building offers its residents spacious accommodations in a vibrant neighborhood that draws visitors from all over the Northeast Ohio region.

During the conversion, it was decided that Lumetta’s Echo Grey pendants were to be specified to illuminate the seating area in the lobby. Fabricated from welded steel / aluminum / acrylic with washable, antimicrobial Lumenate® diffusers, these fixtures were an eye-catching combination of light + geometry + pattern and complemented the interior décor for a chic, ultramodern look.

Lumetta’s Echo pendants were chosen because the luminaires creatively illuminate any area in a soft yet vivid light, while projecting graceful patterns with a seamless look of both illumination and texture into the space. Echo’s proprietary patterns, colors, and finish choices have been identified with a keen eye towards aesthetics and offer designers many options for creating dramatic and coordinated interiors.

The stylish pendants proudly hang in 121 Larchmere’s lobby, suggesting subtle movement and delivering a close encounter with the art of light. Each fixture’s Lumenate® shade creates lighting interpretations as limitless as the imagination.

Whether you want to enhance the look and feel of a space through pendants, surface mounts, or wall sconces, the Echo Collection complements and enhances like no other luminaire.

N.Vandervoort Photography

Omicron Variant: What You Need to KnowDecember 2021

On November 24, 2021, a new Covid-19 variant was reported to the World Health Organization. This new variant was first detected on November 11, 2021 in Botswana and on November 14, 2021 in South Africa.

On November 26, 2021, WHO named the variant Omicron and classified it as a Variant of Concern (VOC). On November 30, 2021, the US designated Omicron as a Variant of Concern, and on December 1, 2021 the first confirmed US case of Omicron was identified.

We don’t know yet how easily it can spread, the severity of illness it causes, or how well current vaccines and medications work against it. Despite the increased attention of Omicron, Delta continues to be the main variant circulating in the US. […]

What We Know About Omicron: Infection and Spread

• How easily does Omicron spread?
  The Omicron variant likely will spread more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and how easily Omicron spreads compared to Delta remains unknown. CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.
• Will Omicron cause more severe illness?
  More data are needed to know if Omicron infections, and especially reinfections and breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated, cause more severe illness or death than infection with other variants.
• Will vaccines work against Omicron?
  Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are likely to occur. With other variants, like Delta, vaccines have remained effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.
• Will treatments work against Omicron?
  Scientists are working to determine how well existing treatments for COVID-19 work. Based on the changed genetic make-up of Omicron, some treatments are likely to remain effective while others may be less effective.

We Have the Tools to Fight Omicron

Vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Scientists are currently investigating Omicron, including how protected fully vaccinated people will be against infection, hospitalization, and death. CDC recommends that everyone 5 years and older protect themselves from COVID-19 by getting fully vaccinated. CDC recommends that everyone ages 18 years and older should get a booster shot at least two months after their initial J&J/Janssen vaccine or six months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.

Masks offer protection against all variants. CDC continues to recommend wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, regardless of vaccination status. CDC provides advice about masks for people who want to learn more about what type of mask is right for them depending on their circumstances.

Tests can tell you if you are currently infected with COVID-19. Two types of tests are used to test for current infection: nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and antigen tests. NAAT and antigen tests can only tell you if you have a current infection. Individuals can use the COVID-19 Viral Testing Tool to help determine what kind of test to seek. Additional tests would be needed to determine if your infection was caused by Omicron. Visit your state, tribal, local, or territorial health department’s website to look for the latest local information on testing.

Self-tests can be used at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results. If your self-test has a positive result, stay home or isolate for 10 days, wear a mask if you have contact with others, and call your healthcare provider. If you have any questions about your self-test result, call your healthcare provider or public health department.

Until we know more about the risk of Omicron, it is important to use all tools available to protect yourself and others.

For more information: https://bit.ly/3sk19Hp

Customer TestimonialDecember 2021

LaFace & McGovern worked with IKM Architecture and Lovorn Engineering on their design of an integral addition to the St. Clair Hospital campus in Pittsburgh, PA.  The Dunlap Family Outpatient Center features Lumetta drums throughout their waiting room areas.

These drums anchor the spaces, bringing a beautiful presence and softening the feel of the waiting rooms. The 280,000 sf, six-story facility is filled with state-of-the-art technology, medical advancements, and expertise.

St. Clair Hospital ACC is a wonderful representation of a collaboration between Lumetta and L&M.  This partnership allows us to bring enhancements and modernize campus infrastructure to our region’s healthcare facilities and surrounding communities.

For more information on this project, including a video that includes shots of the installed Lumetta drums: Dunlap Family Outpatient Center – St. Clair Health (stclair.org)

L&M were proud to work with Lumetta to install the following:

(3) P52314 WHITE F2 DL20C (INTERTWINE TAN) L413 277V
https://lumetta.com/luminaires/drum-23-pendant/

(27) SM5238 F2 DL20C (INTERTWINE TAN) L411 277V
https://lumetta.com/luminaires/drum-23-surface-mount/

(14) SM5488 F2 DL20C (INTERTWINE TAN) L410 277V
https://lumetta.com/luminaires/drum-48-surface-mount/

— Tara Pakler
Specification Sales
LaFace & McGovern Associates

Carteret Performing Arts Center Enjoys the Art of Lumetta LightingDecember 2021

Partner Testimonial – Apex Lighting SolutionsNovember 2021

I think I can speak for the entire Apex team when I say we love working with Lumetta!

With a steady flow of new designs, they produce fixtures that are engineered to withstand the rigors of healthcare, hospitality, and other high use spaces, and do so with finesse.

They use premium materials and dependable metal thicknesses, which means less worry about rough handling in shipment or job site accidents. This guarantees that the fixtures installed are of the same quality as when they left the factory.

While Lumetta’s standard designs can be used for most installations, they are more than happy to modify existing products or completely create custom fixtures as needed. Their friendly and knowledgeable team makes sure that you are supported through the process and guides you toward finding or creating the perfect lighting solution for your space.

At Apex we have complete faith in Lumetta–a trust which has been hard-earned over years of collaboration and positive experiences.

— Terry Jewell
Specification Sales and Applications Specialist
Apex Lighting Solutions

CDC Approves Vaccine for Children Ages 5+November 2021

All children ages 5 and older can now get an age-appropriate dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.

COVID-19 tends to be milder in children compared with adults, however it can still make children very sick and cause a need for hospitalization. In some instances, the complications from the virus can lead to death. Although children are at a lower risk of becoming severely ill with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can:

• Be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19
• Get very sick from COVID-19
• Have both short and long-term health complications from COVID-19
• Spread COVID-19 to others

Children with underlying medical conditions are more at risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared to those without underlying medical conditions. Children who get infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can also develop serious complications like multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C)—a condition where different body parts become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs.

Help Protect Your Child, Your Family, and Others

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect children ages 5 and older from getting COVID-19.

• Vaccinating children can help protect family members, including siblings who are not eligible for vaccination and family members who may be at increased risk of getting very sick if they are infected.
• Vaccination can also help keep children from getting seriously sick even if they do get COVID-19.
• Vaccinating children ages 5 and older can help keep them in school and help them safely participate in sports, playdates, and other group activities.

Help protect your whole family and slow the spread of COVID-19 in your community by getting yourself and your children ages 5 and older vaccinated against COVID-19.

COVID-19 Vaccines Are Safe for Children and Teens

Scientists have conducted clinical trials with about 3,000 children and the FDA has determined that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine has met the safety and efficacy standards for authorization in children ages 5 through 15 years. In addition, Pfizer-BioNTech (COMIRNATY) COVID-19 Vaccine has now been FDA-approved for people ages 16 and older.

The Benefits of Children Getting a COVID-19 Vaccination Outweigh the Known and Potential Risks

COVID-19 vaccines are being monitored for safety with the most comprehensive and intense safety monitoring program in U.S. history. CDC monitors the safety of all COVID-19 vaccines after the vaccines are authorized or approved for use, including the risk of myocarditis in children ages 5 through 11 years.

• Your child may get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including flu vaccine, at the same time.
• Serious health events after COVID-19 vaccination are rare.
• Cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the outer lining of the heart) have been reported after Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination of children ages 12–17 years. These reactions are rare; in one study, the risk of myocarditis after the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech in the week following vaccination was around 54 cases per million doses administered to males ages 12–17 years.
• A severe allergic reaction, like anaphylaxis, may happen after any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines, but this is rare.
• Your child cannot get COVID-19 from any COVID-19 vaccine, including the Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine.
• There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause fertility problems.

For more information: https https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/children-teens.html

Photo by Izzy Park on Unsplash

Lumetta’s Photo Contest Winner Is….. Drum Roll Please…November 2021

Monarch Landing Senior Living Residents Bask in the Light of Lumetta’s LuminairesNovember 2021

Monarch Landing is a 62+ Life Plan Community situated on a beautiful 60-acre campus in Naperville, Illinois.

The addition of a state-of-the-art long-term care component of the campus was earmarked as the first phase of an extensive expansion. Designed as a residential household model, the building included 28 assisted living, memory support residences; 48 short-term rehabilitation residences; and 48 skilled care residences.

Architectural firm Perkins Eastman created a fresh impression for current and future residents. Building amenities included a physical therapy suite, café, spa/beauty salon, secured access to and from existing independent living buildings, education/conference room, non-denominational chapel/multi-purpose room, and additional wandering courtyards and gardens.

The inspirational tag line, “Prairie Elegance,” shaped an aesthetic that emphasized an inviting, warm, and comfortable setting with crisp, clean, timeless lines and rich, earthen hues, all set within natural landscapes and gardens.

With this approach in mind, Perkins Eastman specified Lumetta’s signature Tapered 22” Cone Pendants to integrate with and complement the renovated café. The dramatic juxtaposition of the handcrafted decorative metal outer frame in an F4 Powder Coat Earth finish against the washable, antimicrobial D141 Sand Lumenate® diffuser, was the perfect enhancement to the bistro’s environment.

“Lumetta’s Tapered Cone Pendants were selected based on their overall height, design and finish capabilities. Our volume ceiling needed a substantial fixture that would not feel lost in the space, and given our prairie inspired design for the interior, we really loved how we could select finishes that related to this aesthetic. The parchment like diffuser, dark metal accents and vertical and horizontal banding tied in nicely with this style,” stated Jen McDermott, IIDA, Associate Principal, Perkins Eastman.

Monarch Landing was also delighted with the look and feel of the new café lights, which presented a warm and welcoming atmosphere for residents, visitors, and staff alike. With the community’s clear vision and the architectural firm’s expertise, the lighting renovation allowed the residents to continue enjoying family meals, celebrating milestones or grabbing a bite to eat while basking in the illumination of Lumetta’s luminaires.

Architect: Perkins Eastman
Contractor: Skender
Interior Designer: Perkins Eastman / Shuster Interiors
Photography: Sarah Mechling

Raritan Valley Country Club Passionate About Lumetta’s Custom Box Pendant Lights and SconcesOctober 2021

After a major renovation to the facility, Raritan Valley Country Club members enjoy an expanded clubhouse building.

RVCC contracted with architectural firm Judd Brown-Designs of Pawtucket, RI to execute the design and expansion of the clubhouse from 25,000 to 32,000 square feet, creating essential space for dining and special events.

The renovation increased Raritan Valley CC’s casual dining and bar area accommodations and allowed the club to embrace the emerging trends of their younger members.

“The architecture of the existing building necessitated a complete overhaul and return to the design elements that were architecturally more consistent with the shapes, volumes and forms of the building’s shell,” states the project summary.

JBD wanted a lighting solution that would mirror the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired architectural renovation. The firm specified Lumetta’s Custom Box Pendants and Sconces with decorative metal design elements and washable, antimicrobial Lumenate® diffusers.

The classic, clean-lined luminaires immediately enhanced the luxurious and timeless country club’s atmosphere. The light reflecting off the ceiling and dispersing softly throughout the space created a dramatic but comfortable mood to the environment.

Lumetta creates custom and modified lighting to bring your design vision to life. Contact your agent today and put us to work on yours.

As always, made in the USA by our designers, engineers, and artisans.

Photo courtesy of Warren Jagger Photography

Lumetta Announces Social Service Alliance with Award Winning Non-Profit DownCity DesignOctober 2021

Lumetta is pleased to announce a new social service alliance with DownCity Design, a non-profit community design studio located in Providence, RI.

DownCity Design offers free after-school, in-school, and summer programs for youth K-12. Their 18 free youth programs engage 450 underserved teens annually in teaching the design process and offering an introduction to design fields including architecture, graphic design, product design, and construction/fabrication. The studio has transformed the lives of over 2200 youth who have participated in their programs.

Lumetta donated a significant amount of recycled PET fiber Designer Board Felt to the design studio to be repurposed in their free Fashion Design programs–where students learn or get better at hand sewing, machine sewing and fashion illustration. The contribution helps lower program expenses and allows the agency to save essential funds for future projects.

There is a considerable need for premium supplies for the up-and-coming artists and the timely donation of felt material helps ensure that the designers will have what they need to do their best work. “We are deeply privileged to partner with DownCity Design. They have accomplished so much, and we are grateful for the leadership and skills they bring to Providence’s community of underserved youth,” said Bowen Wheatley, Design Lead.

For more information about DownCity Design: downcitydesign.org

Gateway Pediatric Dentistry Knows How to Light Up a RoomOctober 2021

Gateway Pediatric Dentistry, in St. Albert, Alberta, CA, recently decided to brighten up their third location’s office space and make it even more child friendly. WOW Lighting and Controls Inc. specified Lumetta to throw some light on the subject.

The illumination of the children’s play area with Lumetta’s largescale Shadow Drums added a punch of color and helped to visually lower the ceiling for the clinic’s smaller patients. Lumetta’s Shadow Drums are highly desirable for their exceptional quality and craftsmanship, and their appeal of playing on the double layers of opaque and transparent shades—creating vivid yet subtle lighting.

Lumetta’s Custom L2 Pendants with contrasting abstract inner shade imagery were a natural choice to add color to the space while keeping with a classic shade shape. The colorful inner graphics make for a delightful surprise for the young and “young-at-heart” and can be custom designed to any color or pattern for whimsy or drama. The complementary interior and exterior shades are an eye-catching combination.

Lumetta’s luminaires are designed and manufactured using our exclusive Lumenate®, a washable, antimicrobial diffuser that aids in preventing the spread of bacteria and viruses. Check out all Lumetta’s customizable lighting solutions to create your own kind of magic.

Sales Agency: Wow Lighting and Controls
Specifier: Jennifer Buchanan Interior Design
Photography: Curtis Comeau