3 Margaritas, Denver
RETROFIT TEAM
ARCHITECT: www.re-architecture.com
LIGHTING DESIGNER: AE Design Inc.
MATERIALS
re:architecture created a contemporary Mexican restaurant experience within a former theater lobby while respecting the historic character of the Art Deco space. The interior concept was brought to life through Mexican artwork, custom light fixtures and furniture sourced from the owner’s home state of Jalisco in Mexico.
The vision was to create three unique environments within the 6,000-square-foot restaurant: the bar area, the galleria that displays artwork and the indoor patio that connects to the outdoor patio. Each area required a custom lighting scheme that would tastefully highlight the interior architectural elements.
For example, the galleria now is a brilliantly colored dining room with a James Turrell-inspired color-changing ceiling cove. The cove uses concealed, slowly colored LED lighting to celebrate the tradition of color commonly used in Mexican architecture. “We wanted to unify the space, make it feel more expansive by making use of the higher ceiling, and enhance the dining experience with a subtle kinetic lighting effect,” explains Addie Smith, a senior certified lighting designer at AE Design Inc.
The TLX RGB+TW Tape Light from PRIZM by American Lighting is located along the bottom edge at one side of an existing pop-up ceiling cove. Smith worked with Rick Epstein, founder and principal of re:architecture, to add a plastered curve to the inner corner of the cove to help carry the light around the inner surface for an infinity effect.
“We utilized the tape light based on its RGB and 2700K-6000K color options, output, local availability and affordability, along with its easy customization and long-term performance,” Smith says. “The color options enable us to set the appropriate light levels to create the exact effect for the experience we wanted to deliver.”
TAPE LIGHT MANUFACTURER: PRIZM by American Lighting