The Llama Bar, located in Washington, DC's vibrant Navy Yard neighborhood, is a newly revamped space designed to serve as a versatile venue for both coffee drinkers and evening dinner-goers. The establishment offers a smoothie bar, and a menu that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The designers at Drummond Projects were tasked with creating a lighting system that could handle the demands of this multi-functional space, transitioning seamlessly from day to night while maintaining a consistent, welcoming atmosphere suitable for those who work remotely.
Challenge:
The primary challenge was designing a lighting scheme that could support the dynamic nature of The Llama Bar. During the day, the space is flooded with natural light and used for work-related activities like reading and computer tasks, and in the evening, the space transforms into a chic food lounge. You can easily get work done as it is an encouraging work environment due to the flexible lighting design.
The team needed a solution that could handle the bright, daylight hours without overpowering the space, yet provide enough control and flexibility to create an intimate evening ambiance. With high ceilings and areas requiring task lighting, the challenge was ensuring even light distribution without harsh glare. Fun decorative lighting elements in the space and discreet lighting around the bar make the space come to life in the evening hours.
Solution:
To meet these demands, District Lighting Group turned to LITON Lighting. Lisa Bertolino worked on the project with Drummond and described LITON as one of their “go-to manufacturers,” citing their budget-friendly, high-quality solutions.
The team used LITON’s Cylo Collection to address the space’s lighting needs. Key products included:
DL4C3 Cylo Cylinder Ceiling/Surface
LTDP310 2” Cylo Cylinder Pendant
LTD8321 Cylo Swivel Cylinder Track Head
These products were selected for their sleek, modern look and performance, ideal for both task and ambient lighting. The suspended track heads allowed for precise, strategic placement of light, avoiding glare despite the high ceilings. In addition, lenses were added to the fixtures to diffuse the light, ensuring a soft and comfortable glow that enhanced the space’s natural features.
Results:
LITON’s lighting solutions successfully transformed The Llama Bar into a flexible space that adapts seamlessly to its daytime and nighttime uses. During the day, the lighting complements the natural light, offering focused illumination for tasks like reading and working. In the evening, the space takes on a sophisticated, relaxed atmosphere, with well-placed lighting highlighting key areas to promote a comfortable working environment.
By using LITON Lighting’s Cylo Collection, The Llama Bar now offers a cohesive, inviting environment that works from sunrise to sunset, delivering both functionality and beauty.
