2022 IES Illumination Award: BUDDHA-BAR NEW YORK, New York City

EDWIN F. GUTH AWARD FOR INTERIOR LIGHTING
Award of Excellence
BUDDHA-BAR NEW YORK, New York City
Designers: Mykola Kabluka - Expolight;
Vladimir Nepyivoda - YOD Design Lab
A 16-ft, futuristic Buddha sculpture illuminated with
colorful diffused light and 3D projections serves as a
revitalization of ancient themes, and as the focal point
of a Manhattan restaurant cooking up Asian cuisine.
Designers of the newest Buddha-Bar lounge-a series
of swanky bars across the globe-wanted to adhere to
the theme of reincarnation and in doing so, breathe new
life into the traditional image of a gold Buddha structure.
Instead, this New York Buddha is a parametric sculpture-
made with 3D printing and comprised of nearly 100
flat-glass elements. To add to its flair, a complex optics
system directs beams of light into different points
of the sculpture to highlight its size and layered glass
texture. Two modes of sliding diffused light cross fade
against the Buddha’s exterior, creating the illusion
of an aura and adding to the structure’s other worldliness.
To further animate the sculpture, designers implemented
three separate digital 3D art projections to make it appear
as if Buddha is filled with bright sparks, smoke and
water. The projectors move the images along the piece’s
frosted-glass edges, while custom software keeps the
cross-fading light from intermingling with the projected
images.
The dramatic backdrop of the restaurant adds to the
uncanny dining atmosphere. Spots of vertical illumination
indicate stairs and differentiations in height to guests,
but these beams intentionally do not touch most of
the floor. Instead, bright light at the bar and spherical
accent fixtures on tables add interest and contrast to the
mysterious, yet calming, space.
To learn more visit ia.ies.org
ABOUT THE ILLUMINATING ENGINEERING SOCIETY (IES)
In 1906 the IES was founded with the purpose of bringing together those with lighting knowledge to develop standards, promote research, and develop educational materials to advance the art, science, and practice of lighting design and engineering. The strength of the IES is its diversified membership, including engineers, architects, designers, educators, students, contractors, distributors, utility personnel, manufacturers and scientists in 64 countries. The IES is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional society writing the American National Standards (ANSI) for lighting. www.ies.org