The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) selected the Lenexa Civic Campus for a 2018 Illumination Award of Merit. Henderson Engineers provided architectural lighting, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire and life safety, technology, and security design for the innovative five-acre mixed use district that incorporated a new city hall, recreation center, public market, 500-space parking garage, and outdoor gathering spaces. The $75 million project officially opened on July 31, 2017.

“We’re honored to receive this award for a facility that provides great new amenities for Lenexa and the surrounding communities,” said Nick Gordon, Henderson associate and project manager. “The facilities incorporate many different elements to bring the spaces to life and make them welcoming to visitors. You can see the color-changing LED lighting from blocks away, which provides an impressive look to the exterior.”

With three different buildings and a plaza area, the project involved many different space types and lighting elements to think through, according to Gordon. Henderson’s Lindsey Blackburn served as the electrical designer on the project and played a crucial role in its success.

Gordon and Blackburn designed lighting for the city hall building that covers 70,000 square feet and four floors. The lobby features a decorative wood wall that has blue accent panels which are backlit with LED strip fixtures.

The building also includes a 250-seat auditorium, indoor market, and art gallery. The auditorium features a fully dimmable house and stage lighting system to serve the many needs of the space.

In total, the recreation center encompasses 100,000 square feet and three stories. The lobby features different sized LED globes fixtures which highlight the two-story space. The facility includes an aquatic center, a third level track that runs around the natatorium, and exercise spaces. The three-story aquatic center is lit indirectly from the running track. This allows the light to reflect off the structure above and locates the fixtures outside of the pool footprint for easier maintenance.

The spin studio features linear pendants with an indirect RBG optic that gives instructors the ability to change the mood throughout a class.

An exterior stage at city hall is the focal point of the campus plaza. The campus lighting controls were networked together to allow flexibility during evening events. Stage lighting mounted to the recreation center and the adjacent plaza site lighting can all be controlled from a wall station located near the stage.

The full campus project was 20 years in the making, dating back to a citizen-led strategic planning process that was completed in 1997.

“We were happy to be a part of it and to help make this long-term vision a reality for the citizens of Lenexa,” Gordon said. “With our Henderson headquarters in the same city, there’s an inherent sense of pride with a project like this as many of our employees, their family members, and friends use these facilities on a daily basis.”

Henderson has solidified itself as a leader in architectural lighting thanks to its depth of knowledge, experience, design coordination, winning solutions, and adaptability during various challenges and changes throughout the construction phase.

“For any situation, Henderson is always able to find a solution,” Gordon explained. “Often, we have experienced these lighting situations before and can offer ideas to solve any challenge.”

The recognition is the second of its kind for Henderson Engineers in 2018. The State Farm Center on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign recently received the same IES Illumination Award of Merit.

Now in its 45^th year, the Illumination Awards program includes projects that were voted on by industry designers with the design team withheld. Judges were selected from a broad professional spectrum, representing knowledge of lighting and design excellence. The judging system was entirely based on how well the lighting design meets the program criteria.