Temple University Mazur Hall

A well-illuminated atrium that every Temple University student visits

What was once a dismal, dark and forgettable entrance to Mazur Hall, the main liberal arts building at Temple University, is now a prominent welcoming and well-illuminated atrium. A transparent sculptural volume space with a hyperbolic paraboloid roof – and a mimicking interior ceiling– glows from within and invites every student that passes through the university where they attend at least one class during their tenure.
 

With the goal of making the ceiling appear as if it’s hovering, the main challenge of the lighting design was carefully and evenly uplighting the ceiling. Meanwhile, there were to be no overhead penetrations and the lighting needed to provide proper illumination levels for everything from classroom tasks to dimmed intimate evening affairs.
 

This challenge was met while studying functional lighting methods and luminaire abilities that would be capable of maintaining even lighting on the faceted ceiling. It was at this time when it became evident that only one luminaire would perform exactly as needed.
 

Carefully placed BEGA performance floodlights provided the precise photometrics to create the perfect solution. Some additional linear lighting was carefully hidden in the folds of the architecture, which proved effective for ambiance.
 

The primary usable illumination came from two rows of flood lights at different levels. Then, once the fixtures were aimed, the warm glow of the interior wood slat ceiling becomes a focal point from the surrounding area, both in the daytime, as well as the evening. By ensuring the correct levels of illumination throughout all times of the day, the radiance of the space shines from within and this expressive architectural shape is now a new icon on campus that everyone at Temple will experience for at least one semester and will always remember.