7 American DJ H20 250
46 Color Kinetics IColor Cove QLs
1 Keypad Controller / IPlayer 2

Green Neo-Neon Duraflex
Red Neo-Neon Duraflex
Dune Modular Art Panels

I feel that the best way to describe Aquavina Wine Bar is “aquatic sunsets.” The menu and the website all suggest a blue water theme but the design uses more earthy colors of burgundy, yellow, and dark wood. Avoiding a direct interpretation of the blue water theme, the lighting design still maintains integrity. Using watery style lighting but avoiding the color blue creates an environment that only whispers aquatic themes to those who are listening.

My favorite element of Aquavina is the light cast by the American DJ H2O 250s. The H20 250 creates a unique water effect using two independent gobo wheels and a color wheel. All 7 H20's were strategically positioned to fill the bar area. Suggesting the traditional incandescent lighting, the lights shimmer the color yellow. The yellow light gives a warm feeling to the water effect conjures a vision of a deep orange evening sun shimmering over the water from the peer. The lights are placed in 5 locations. Each light is focused downward, nearly perpendicular to the floor to avoid blinding the bar crowd. Lounge patrons want to feel comfortable, conversational, as well as feel like they are in the place to be. However, they are much more sensitive to light bullies than club kids, and are more likely to leave than move. The yellow water wash splashing on the patrons evenly distributed throughout the bar area is both beautifully interesting, and soothing. The lighting suggests the name with wit and style.

The 46 iColor Coves QLs were used for 4 different elements. I wanted the design to be both simple and fascinating. So I used only one type of fixture but changed its orientation. For the first wine/glass/liquor display I used down light. I placed all the QLs on the top focused downward, the most common position for lighting design. With millions of years of the sun looking down on us, most eyes function better in overhead luminescence.

For the second display I used up light. We boldly twisted the up lit bottle idea and made the whole flight of steps out of glass. Instead of hiding the lights behind wooden shields, we featured the QLs. I was a little worried about a direct view of the LEDs. However, under the frost the lights look like they are moving side to side . . . morphing if you will, similar to looking through heat waves. Seeing the core RGB breakup on the LED fixtures surrounded by the additive color mixing on the frosted glass was surprisingly pleasant and predictably interesting.

For the third display I used side light. I framed two coves on each side of the bottle display with a frosted window. The plastic window cover is my favorite florescent cover from home depot cut to size and framed with 1x4s. The side light is reminiscent of evening when brilliant oranges and reds come through the windows. The positioning provides a stunning bottle display as well as reinforces the theme. The final area props 5 QLs shining from behind the plasma. Plasma screens were a hot topic when plasma technology won an Emmy in 2002. Plasmas screens are now common and patrons are no longer enthusiastic about their appearance. I feel that only poor taste leaves plasmas untreated. Without the LED lights the plasma would have broken theme. However, back lighting the plasma completes the bar displays.

The front of the bar is made of a honey comb material which was originally lit with rope lights. The rope lights were highly visible seeing the three lines across every panel, also the installers didn't use rope light guides to keep the lines straight (Home Depot $.50 per foot). First rope lights are cheap, and they are usually poorly used. If they are visible, make the lights look intentional using straight lines or cool designs. Rope light track is inexpensive and easy to install. Take an extra $30 and an hour of time to make your design look dynamic. Moving on, the budget was drawing tight we had to come up with an inexpensive solution, so electroluminescent panels were obviously out of the budget. The best solution was to increase the distance from the light source. We tilted the honey comb panels at 20 degrees and installed florescent fixtures covered with amber tube gels, completing the bar at Aquavina.

Now for the wow, I was introduced to modular art while leading the LED installation of Rick's Cabaret in New York for Diavolo Systems. Modular art is a 32"x 32" plaster design that fits seamlessly together (www.modulararts.com). I was asked to design a menu display for Aquavina so I sketched an idea using a single modular art panel. A stainless steel desk lamp mounted to the top of the frame shines on the menu. Green LEDs glow around the inside of the frame hiding the Duraflex rope light by Neo Neon. Wooden capes over the screws give further depth to this elegant piece. I won't go into further detail without a visit to the patent office.

The environment of Aquavina is both romantic and interesting, using elements of modern lighting and modern décor in a natural manner. Although a traditional comfort is achieved, the design intrigues, successfully suggesting effects of a sunset on the water. Aquavina can safely boast the fusion of both ultra-lounge and traditional lighting.