At the St. Bernard and Reading branches of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, the children’s play and lounge areas are illuminated by modern commercial pendant lighting adorned with whimsical and inspiring words. Christine Madden from Champlin Architecture collaborated closely with the library lighting team to create a welcoming and imaginative environment for young explorers. Central to this vision was the integration of custom graphics, designed to engage and delight.

“The director envisioned a playful mix of words typically associated with libraries and expressions of a love for books,” Christine recalls. Words like “shhh,” “love books,” and “time” were selected to evoke curiosity and joy. The placement of these words was equally important; the design encourages children to look up from the floor, as the building features soaring ceilings and an abundance of floor-to-ceiling windows. The solution? Striking modern library lights that are both subtle and eye-catching.

This is where Lumetta’s custom capabilities shined. They crafted multiple Lite drum pendants, with white acrylic tops and etched white bottom lenses, all showcasing custom-printed graphics. The pendants were strategically staggered in height and arranged to fill the light-filled spaces effectively. “At night, these custom pendants glow like lanterns visible from the street, capturing children’s curiosity and providing a sense of levity for adults,” Christine adds.

Photography by Ryan Kurtz