Along with designLAB Architects, Lam Partners was tasked with renovating, redesigning, and relighting the entry area, central gallery, and two main art galleries of the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester, MA. This included a completely new exhibit design for the recently acquired Fresnel Lens, as well as other upgrades to a few additional spaces in the museum.

There were several design challenges to overcome, including low ceiling heights; a varied collection of objects and painting sizes (some very small); specific lighting criteria limits for preservation of sensitive art pieces, and a directive to maintain future flexibility for new additions and rotating collections. In addition, adaptability for future hardware and technology upgrades was a consideration. All of these requirements were to be delivered within a cost-effective budget.

Through a combined analysis utilizing computer modeling and by-hand calculations, light sources, beam spreads and lumen outputs were carefully chosen for each and every piece of artwork in the gallery spaces, thus creating the best illumination for each display, and enhancing visitors’ visual experience throughout the museum.