NOLU

University of Texas at Austin, Environmental Controls I, Fall 2014
Critic: Keith Simon

Collaborators: Connie Chang, Joanne Koola, Jessica Sadasivan

The majority of outdoor study spaces around campus do not have sufficient lighting for evening work or leisure. One such space is the rooftop terrace at the Student Activity Center (SAC) adjacent to James Turrell’s skypace. There are four outdoor patio tables that are often used by students throughout the day and night. While the space is an intimate setting used by small private groups for conversation and study, the lighting is in actuality non-conducive to either activity. To compensate for the lack of lighting, many students bring personal light sources (laptops, cellphones) to work with.

The solution, NOLU, is a versatile luminaire designed to respond to the lighting problems not only at the outdoor space of the SAC, but also all around campus. As a table-top luminaire, NOLU is easily assembled around tables with or without umbrella stands. The assembly reacts to the umbrella stand, wrapping around it in two pieces. It’s small surface area allows for much of the work surface to be maintained. NOLU maintains an intimate setting while providing a diffused even light over the work surface for studying as well as ambient light for casual conversation.