Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center

Architectural practice Cannon Design used Lumenfacade RGB fixtures to illuminate a key element of the award-winning Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center at Gilbert, Arizona, and create a ‘Lantern of Hope' for patients.  

Cannon used the luminaires to illuminate the four-storey latticed tower over the facility's main entrance with a gentle and consistent light. They graze the metal structure's translucent fabric panels with a uniform glow, lit in a soothing and symbolic lavender color.

Cannon chose Lumenfacade RGB after testing fixtures from three manufacturers to see which would deliver the necessary color saturation control, source intensity and color-changing effects with light that would reach the top of the 69-foot structure. "The Lumenpulse product out-performed its competitors in every aspect with the total package of performance, reach, cost, accessibility, adjustability, maintenance, and fixture look and design, winning it for Lumenpulse," said Cannon lighting designer Sara Schonour.  "The ease of control through the Lumentouch system, giving the staff the ability to adjust the lighting to suit their facility's needs, was another key element."  

The design challenges created by the unique structure include the heat, dryness and dust of the desert combined with the need to avoid light pollution. Using custom mounting brackets developed with Lumenpulse, Cannon concealed the fixtures within the 30 x 30 foot area structure in just the right locations to light the fabric panels consistently on all four sides of the lantern. Cannon used narrow beam optics and light diffusing film and angled light on to the vertical fabric plane to reduce skyglow.  

It was crucial to have a low maintenance solution. Lumenpulse's IP66 rated fixtures were robust enough to withstand the harsh desert environment, and besides offering an LED lifespan of 120,000 hours, enable individual components to be accessed and replaced.  

Equipment Specified

43 x Lumenfacade Color Changing (4' units, 10˚x10˚ optic) 
5 x Lumenfacade Color Changing (2' units, 10˚x10˚ optic)