Architect Elisabeth Martin and her team at MDA Designgroup designed a new lighting scheme for the Oceanside Library using products from USAI Lighting to meet both functional and aesthetic goals.

The renovation project focused on supporting three priorities: energy-efficient performance, cost-conscious design, and user comfort. Martin said lighting was considered a critical design element throughout.

“We believe the lighting design of a space can make or break a project’s success,” said Martin, principal at MDA Designgroup. “Libraries depend on quality of light distribution to showcase their resources, enhance what we call ‘people space,’ and support staff work needs.”

Each library zone required different lighting conditions. In browsing areas with book stacks, the design emphasized even distribution. In circulation and pathway areas, more ambient light was used. To avoid overly utilitarian lighting, MDA integrated recessed downlights — some within wood ceiling slats — and layered them with accent fixtures.

“Whether sculptural or minimal, the fixtures forge a dynamic partnership and provide excellent ambient lighting that supports use,” Martin said.

Throughout the library, the design prioritized both comfort and visual clarity. USAI Lighting’s fixtures were used in several key areas:

• Welcome Desk: USAI’s BeveLED 2.2 4.5-inch downlights supplemented a central accent fixture to eliminate dark spots.
• Main Spine: The primary traffic corridor used BeveLED 2.2 Basic 4.5-inch fixtures to manage ambient lighting in a space with a complex ceiling structure. Nearby areas used Micro Multi-Cell 1.25-inch fixtures set between wood slats and paired with linear pendants.
• Theater: MDA avoided over-lighting, using LittleOnes 1.25-inch square fixtures for subtle illumination, supplemented by BeveLED 2.2 fixtures near the entry and exit.

To support biophilic design principles, the lighting emphasized clean, overall light to complement natural daylight. Fixtures were selected for their energy efficiency, dimming capability, and high color rendering index (CRI). Martin noted that color temperature options helped highlight the library’s material palette.

The project received a Lighting Design Award from the American Institute of Architects – Long Island Chapter. According to the design team, the combination of USAI Lighting products with other manufacturers’ fixtures created a cohesive lighting scheme that met both the client’s goals and the architectural vision for the space.