From a Quiet Corner to a Dynamic Hub: AEI Chicago's Lounge Makeover with Sabin's Lighting & Acoustic Fixtures
The new linear LED fixture illuminates the new wall graphic, while the adjacent stair wall is illuminated by the color-changing tape light mounted to the back side of the stair stringer. Courtesy of Erin Lyle Photography.
The new lighting is a playful contrast to the flat ceiling above the workspace. Courtesy of Erin Lyle Photography.
Sabin, a lighting and acoustics manufacturer in Chicago's western industrial area, announced an exciting opportunity to provide their newest product design for a local project in exchange for promotional photography of the completed installation. This offer couldn't have come at a better time for Pivotal Lighting Design at Affiliated Engineers, Inc. (AEI) Chicago, as they were embarking on an office renovation that required a fresh, dynamic design. Located on the 28th-floor mezzanine of the Chicago office, Pivotal had a front-row seat to the adjacent 27th-floor lounge – a critical space in the office that needed a makeover to accommodate AEI's expanding team and evolving culture. As AEI Chicago continued to grow in size and a younger demographic, the lounge space demanded a transformation from a dark, exposed vault to a vibrant environment that fosters collaboration, casual conversation, and inter-floor interaction.
Lighting and acoustics were essential in achieving this spatial transformation, and the timing of Sabin's promotion was a perfect collaboration. Pivotal's design team created a captivating layout using Sabin's Block acoustic fixtures. The design featured an undulating cloud of four different sizes of Block fixtures, strategically placed to provide both functional acoustic dampening and an even, inviting glow. To ensure the fixtures worked harmoniously with the building's HVAC and sprinkler systems, Pivotal collaborated with AEI's Mechanical and Fire Protection disciplines to plan the placement and adjustments carefully. Fixtures were surface mounted onto Unistrut, with existing conduit modified to accommodate the new design.
The new linear LED at the counter aligns with the color contrast between the wall and ceiling, becoming hidden from view behind the cube cloud. Courtesy of Erin Lyle Photography.
The project's interior designer opted for a neutral color palette for the felt acoustic blocks, ensuring the space would remain timeless yet modern. While the Sabin Block installation became the focal point of the lounge, Pivotal also incorporated linear lighting to highlight a striking new wall graphic and adjacent counter, which frequently hosts staff events. To add a bit of fun and flexibility to the space, the lounge features a color-changing strip along the stair stringer, allowing employees to personalize the ambiance and create a festive atmosphere whenever desired.
Since the installation, both Pivotal and AEI team members have been thrilled with the transformed lounge. The enhanced lighting invites people into the space, and the acoustics have noticeably improved the overall environment, encouraging better collaboration and relaxation. The addition of color-changing lighting options also adds an interactive element, inviting employees to engage with their surroundings in a playful and personalized way.
Working with a local partner like Sabin has been an absolute pleasure – and brought a unique energy to this office renovation. The result of this collaboration is a beautiful, functional space that perfectly blends acoustics, lighting, and design, proving once again that great partnerships lead to exceptional outcomes.