H. ROE BARTLE HALL GRAND BALLROOM

“Water” was a thematic reference for the lighting and interior design of this new Grand Ballroom space referencing Kansas City’s river heritage.  Here, ephemeral and phenomenal aspects of light, water and nature are considered in conjunction with material relationships and represented through time, color, specularity and pattern.

Decorative ring fixtures abstractly represent layers of concentric ripples caused by water droplets falling onto a placid pool.  These specular rings, ranging in size from 3’ – 6-‘ in diameter, incorporate concealed LED sources oriented upward, illuminating the metal panel ceiling and revealing through diffuse reflections the individual sources. 

Natural light penetrates the pre-function lobby and ballroom to provide time based spatial animation along with energy saving illumination serving programmatic need.  In the ballroom daylight is diffused through stretched fabric ceiling panels offering connection to sun orientation and other exterior environmental conditions.  At night or when blackout shades are deployed, the custom color changing LED sources backlight the fabric ceiling and graze the topographically contoured walls with theatrical illumination for special events.  LCD touch screen controls were custom designed to accommodate the complex theatrical scenes.  

Diverse electric lighting technologies along with DALI and daylight harvesting controls facilitate various programmatic room uses ranging from gala events, corporate meetings to product exhibitions while also insuring energy conservation and reduced maintenance.

Owner: City of Kansas City, Missouri
Architect: HNTB Architecture
Lighting Designer: Derek Porter Studio
Engineer: Henderson Engineers
Photographer: Michael Spillers

Details
Kansas City, Missouri
46,450 square feet new construction
LEED Silver certified

Awards
Commendable Achievement, A/L Magazine, 2008
Best Use of Daylight, A/L Magazine, 2008
International Award of Merit, IESNA, 2008
Award of Excellence, IALD, 2008
Sustainability Award, IALD, 2008

Publications
“Simbiose Entre Natureza E Techologia,” Lighting + Design (Brazil)
“H. Roe Bartle Hall Ballroom,” Architectural Lighting
“(Un)Strictly Ballroom,” Architectural Lighting