let there be light

                                  
    
  sustain is located in the main street market in 
  charlottesville, va.  it is a retail store devoted to 
  lifestyle and is similar to anthropologie.

  i visited the store on a bright and sunny morning
  so I was able to see all of the light penetrating   
  through the windows.  the space itself is fronted with 
  giant curtain wall like windows, which allow a lot of 
  natural light into the space.  the light is then diffused 
  throughout the space and gives it a very warm glow. 
 


             



 


there are  several smaller windows in the back of the space with allow daylight in to balance the light that comes in from the front windows.  (see picture at right)  

the light comes in though the windows and reflects off of the white wallcovering and the light reclaimed wood floors to illuminate various items throughout the space and give the store and overall warm feeling.




 

the picture to the right shows the floorspace in the front of the store 
as well as the windows in the back.  from this picture, one can see how well lit the space is.  there are not 
any areas that are dark.

 

in addition to the ample daylight, the space is decorated with lots of table
lamps to add a soft glow.  there are
also track lights placed along the ceiling to provide additional lighting
capacity if need be.  however on 
bright days like this, there really is 
not much need for the track lighting.

this is a photograph from the second floor.  similar to the lower level, the upper level has a window wall (opposite the bed) which allows ample daylight into the space.  there are also two large windows behind the bed as well as floor lamps and track lighting (not on during this visit because it was so bright outside).  additionally, the walls are covered in wallcovering made of small, clear, recycled glass beads which helps to reflect the light throughout the space. 

the picture to the right shows the window wall on the second floor.  it allows diffuse light throughout the second level because light does not directly enter the windows. 

 

another design choice used by the owners was to place mirrors in various places around the space.  this allows for light to reflect and illuminate the space as well as objects in it.  it makes the space appear larger and brighter.  


it is a great space and the designers have used the windows to their advantage.  overall the lighting in the space is appropriate and ample and it allows for customers to see everything in its best light.