Project in Pictures: New Marching Orders

Sep 10, 2021
Project in Pictures: New Marching Orders

A salute to the past has positioned a California naval base for the future. Located on an island within the San Francisco Bay, Naval Air Station Alameda was decommissioned in 1997 and had remained relatively untouched. Now the new Alameda Point development is home to the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal, public parks and housing. In a tribute to its past, elements of the former base’s Art Deco-style architecture were woven into the ferry terminal and surrounding buildings’ design.

HLB Lighting Design crafted the lighting scheme for Alameda Point. “Alameda’s existing street lighting standard was a traditional ‘acorn’ style,” says Andrew Moore, senior associate at HLB. “The design team didn’t feel that style luminaire would harmonize with the character of the architecture that was to be built on-site and would have appeared jarring in that context.”

Project in Project in Pictures: New Marching Orders

A total of 30 luminaires (Luminis)—both double-headed and single-headed—are mounted on round tapered aluminum poles. Double-headed luminaires line the waterfront promenade, illuminating bike paths, pedestrian pathways and a parking area adjacent to the dock.
Photos: Billy Hustace

Project in Project in Pictures: New Marching Orders

Light levels are adjustable via a step dimming switch. The luminaires can also accommodate the use of a seven-pin photocell, should a smart-city system be adopted.
Photos: Billy Hustace

Project in Project in Pictures: New Marching Orders

With the region home to several birds and wildlife species—including a colony of endangered California Least Terns that nest on the former airfield—an Environmental Impact Report dictated that no uplight would be permitted.
Photos: Billy Hustace

Project in Project in Pictures: New Marching Orders

The choice of 3000K color temperature was an environmental consideration for the circadian benefit of both humans and wildlife. The single-head fixtures on the floating dock facilitate safe transit for ferry passengers.
Photos: Billy Hustace

Project in Project in Pictures: New Marching Orders

All fixtures feature Type III distribution to illuminate the full width of the streetscape. The fixture and pole will become the standard for the City of Alameda for future phases of the Alameda Point build-out.
Photos: Billy Hustace