iXL Chooses High Tech Lighting Solution

E-business communications and consulting firm iXL describes themselves as a firm that is "passionate about transforming the way business gets done." That zeal is clearly demonstrated in an interior lighting scheme that incorporates a variety of Martin intelligent lights at their headquarters in Atlanta.

Designed for use in a number of different applications, light enhancement includes tasteful product display illumination, as well as attractive lighting for a multi-purpose corporate events room which doubles as an employee cafeteria.

The corporate events room/cafeteria includes a mix of Martin products including MAC 500 profiles, MAC 600NT washlights, RoboScan Pro 918s scanners and MiniMAC profiles (used during lunch to add drama to the space) as well as a two-zone Martin Lighting Director (MLD) system. (The MLD is a 3D tracking system for automated followspot and show control.)

Lighting designer for the iXL lighting system is Sylvia Bistrong of ISP Design, Inc. who also specified the Martin equipment. ISP Design was responsible for the aesthetics of this unique room, along with Arquitectonica the architecture firm on this project.

The corporate events room/cafeteria lighting system is quite unique for a corporate building. Sylvia states, "We had two lighting systems to work out, one system to light the general space for everyday use and the other system to light the stage for events. The most difficult challenge in this area was keeping the ceiling system, which was designed by the architects, and incorporating the stage lighting system while trying to ascetically please the architect and fulfil the client’s needs.

"We also worked hard on the interfacing of a Lutron 6000 system that runs the entire building from a word processor. It allows the Martin system controllers to interface with the architectural lights when the space is being used for events. The project was unique to begin with because everything had to be dimmable. We spent 6 months designing both systems.."

Installation and technical support at iXL is provided by Martin dealer The MAGNUM Companies, Ltd. President of MAGNUM, Erik Magnuson, comments on the unique corporate events room. "We made adjustments to the plot to take full advantage of the space´s ceiling structure and to maximize the system for it´s use as a stage lighting system.

Both the Martin LightJockey controller and MLD are used, with the MLD system made up of two overlapping zones to provide full room coverage. "This is a very "well speced" control system for iXL since they are so high tech oriented," says Erik. "The computer orientation of both sets of control systems make it very easy for their A/V tech staff to transition from computer-based AV and audio controls to lighting control."

MAGNUM hosted the iXL tech staff to a two-day long training session on the system. The first session was held at MAGNUM´s shop and concentrated on fixtures and hardware issues. The second session was held in the iXL Rec Room and focused on the control systems and lighting design issues. MAGNUM continues to provide tech and design support to the iXL staff.

"While the system was designed as a complete package, we did include expansion room in both the power and control infrastructure when creating the final system layout," states Erik. "Each power circuit has room for a minimum of two additional fixtures and the control outlets were designed with extra patch points. This will allow the iXL tech team (or special event lighting designers) to hang and control extra automated fixtures without having to run temporary cables."