CHAUVET LED lights cast a rich purple glow all the way up a 28-story glass corner of the new W Boston Hotel and Residences throughout the month of October leading to the building's grand opening.
Designed by the award-winning firm William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc., the latest addition to the chain of luxury boutique hotels is one of the tallest and most distinctive buildings of the city's downtown theater district.
The idea to light a glass corner of the edifice from the inside came from Lighting Designer Lana Nathe who drew her inspiration from the chain's signature purple color, said Jess Klarnet, director of production for High Output, Inc., which installed 28 COLORdash Quad RGB LED fixtures, one per floor, in glass-walled corner rooms.
“We wanted another way to advertise the building,” Klarnet said. “And the purple closely matched the purple used in the awning and decorative accents throughout the hotel.”
The lights were positioned on 28 consecutive floors, 14 feet away from the 45-degree glass corners and pointed toward the ceiling. The wash effect they cast was visible for blocks.
Klarnet worked with a few considerations. “We had to be able to plug the lights into a regular wall socket and the lights needed to be LED so they wouldn't produce any heat,” he said. A timer made sure the lights shut off when Boston's ordinances dictated. Another caveat – the lights must be able to produce the W Hotels' purple color.
“They have great output,” Klarnet said, adding that he had tested two other brands of LED lights, but only CHAUVET offered what he needed.
The hotel includes 235 stylish guest rooms, 120 residences and five penthouses. It offers guests and residents a world-class restaurant, bar and lounge, event spaces and a spa. The residences range in price from $400,000 to more than $4 million.