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Design Projects: Skype Headquarters

Design Projects: Skype Headquarters

Project: Skype North American Headquarters

Location: Palo Alto, California

Who: Design Blitz

Project Goal: Create a world-class office that would differentiate Skype from their Bay Area competitors in the recruitment of talent. The space not only had to be a design statement in keeping with the client's modern, but fun personality, it also had to meet very specific acoustic requirements to support their extensive use of AV.

Brunklaus Amsterdam Shady Tree Pendant-110

Location/Room: The Cabin

Distinct and unique spaces facilitate three types of working: collaboration, contemplation and concentration.

Light Used: Brunklaus Amsterdam Shady Tree Pendant-110

Why This Light Was Selected: The Cabin is a tongue-in-cheek lounge space complete with faux bois mirrors and cowhide rug. The space implies a western-style California casual which the Shady Tree compliments perfectly by continuing the clean, modern vibe of the open office on the outside; only revealing its woodsy interior once the user takes a seat below. The sepia scene influenced all of the material selections for the space.

Foscarini Big Bang Chandelier in White

Location/Room: Welcome Area

The project entailed a tenant improvement of 54,000 square feet of existing office space to support 250 employees.

Light Used: Foscarini Big Bang Chandelier in White

Why This Light Was Selected: We wanted something that would support the mid-century feel reflected in the architecture and the furniture. We also wanted an iconic light. The Big Bang is a statement fixture that, in white, compliments the predominantly white space while also reinforcing the focus in this area on objects and interventions.

 Bocci 14.7 Seven Pendant Chandelier

Location/Room: Welcome Area

Lighting was used in the project to transform the space without having to change the architecture. Their use of light creates moments of pause, giving the client a multitude of spatial experiences.

Light Used: Bocci 14.7 Seven Pendant Chandelier

Why This Light Was Selected: This is the first fixture a visitor sees upon entering Skype's office. It helps to anchor the reception desk and prepares the visitor for the sense of modern-influenced whimsy that is embodied in the rest of the project. The Bocci light is delicate so it works in concert with the reception area to tie the various materials and elements together without overpowering any of them.

Foscarini Big Bang Chandelier in Red

Location/Room: Level 2 Lobby

A simple palette and restrained use of finishes unites the largely open-plan workspace. Furniture and lighting provided color and an additional layer of detail.

Light Used: Foscarini Big Bang Chandelier in Red

Why This Light Was Selected: Throughout the project we played with the idea of light vs. dark. The two lobbies are stacked directly atop one another and connected by a circular stair. One literally ascends into darkness, where the Big Bang in red explodes overhead against the graphite backdrop. The Big Bang in red also anchors a ring of red seats.
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Email: alexis@ylighting.com

About Design Blitz

Who: Seth Hanley, AIA and Melissa Wallin, AAIA

Design Philosophy: Less can actually be more. Really! The key is knowing what to edit to bring out the essence of a project while not devaluing its spirit. We believe in smaller footprints and higher quality. What does luxury mean anyway? It's more than just name and hype; more than just a price tag or a status symbol. It's about quality, function, and well-being.

Where They Search for Inspiration: Hardware stores.

Best Lighting Tip: Provide eye-level lighting in spaces where people can see themselves, and always use dimmer switches.

Favorite Spaces to Design: Small spaces in big spaces. Creating a sense of feeling of space in public settings is a challenge that requires a designer to rely on human instinct, as much as any learned design skills.

Dream Project: A skyscraper, and for all the wrong reasons.

Best Design Advice Ever Received: Edit. Don't try and use all your best ideas in one project.

Visit: designblitzsf.com

Images courtesy of Design Blitz SF, Matthew Millman Photography and HoffmanChrisman.

Seth Hanley, Principal + CEOMelissa Wallin, Principal + Creative Director


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Energy Star

Energy Star is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency.

Energy Efficient

Energy efficient lighting delivers exceptional design and performance while using 50%-75% less energy than incandescent or incandescent halogen bulbs. This means you can save money while helping protect our planet.

Our energy efficient lighting meets Title 24 efficacy standards and includes fluorescent, LED and high intensity discharge lighting options.

YLighting Exclusive

We love modern lighting. Working with leading designers and manufacturers, we're proud to bring you the finest in modern lighting, accessories and offers that you can only find at YLighting.com.

100% Price Match

YLighting wants you to buy from us confident that you will not find a lower price, or better service. If you find a lower "To-Your-Door" advertised price we will match the competitor's price. The "To-Your-Door" price is the total price of the order delivered to your door, including product costs, tax, shipping and/or handling fees. The competitor must be a United States based, authorized retailer for the manufacturer. The product must be the identical, including being built to United States specifications. YLighting must be able to directly verify the competitor's price with a uniquely identifiable invoice, faxed or emailed to YLighting, dated within 15 days of the YLighting purchase. Invoice must include actual shipping and handling costs (shipping estimates are not acceptable).

The 100% Price Protection Guarantee excludes price matching on clearance, returns and closeout items. Price Protection Guarantee does not apply to Lutron and Cree brand products. Other restrictions may apply.

Found a lower price? Tell us now.

Remodel Housings

In contrast to new construction housings, remodeling housings are appropriate when you have limited or no access to the space above a new fixture, such as in an apartment or a home without crawl spaces or attics above.

New Construction Housings

In contrast to remodeling housings, new construction housings are bulkier and need to be installed between joist beams or onto hangar bars and thus you need full access to the space above the fixture. This style is best used if you are building in a new space, gutting a room, or have an attic above or pop out ceiling, etc.

Non-IC Rated

Non-IC stands for: non insulation contact. Thus, non-IC-rated housings must be kept at least 3 inches away from any insulation.

IC Rated

IC stands for: insulation contact. Thus, IC-rated housings can come in direct contact with thermal insulation.

MR16 Halogen Bulb

MR 16 is a standard format for halogen multifaceted reflector light bulbs. MR16 lamps are regularly used in place of standard incandescent light bulbs as they harness and shoot light, resulting in less light loss than a traditional bulb. These are best used when you want focused light such as in a pendant over a countertop or an accent light on a painting.

cUL Listed

CUL stands for Underwriters Laboratories of Canada, a non-profit company that tests electrical components and equipment for potential hazards. If something is UL-listed, I means it has met the agency's safety requirements for things like fire, shock hazards, etc. While you can buy and install non-UL listed fixtures, sometimes insurance policies will limit their liabilities accordingly, inspectors may not approve permits, etc.

UL Listed

UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, a non-profit company that tests electrical components and equipment for potential hazards. If something is UL-listed, it means it has met the agency's safety requirements for things like fire, shock hazards, etc. While you can buy and install non-UL listed fixtures, sometimes insurance policies will limit their liabilities accordingly, inspectors may not approve permits, etc.

Damp Location

If the environment exposes the lighting system to moisture condensation, then the location is a damp location. Lights that are approved for damp locations can be used in sheltered outdoor areas such as roofed porches or interior locations subject to moderated degrees of moisture such as basements.

Wet Location

If the lighting system is exposed to direct impact by water from splashing or dripping, which will make the fixture wet, then the location is a wet location. Your most common wet locations are uncovered outdoor areas.

Baffle Trim

The term Baffle refers to the grooved style of the trim. This trim is the most popular choice of all recessed lighting trims and is best used in living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and dens.

Open Reflector

Reflector trims have a higly polished inner trim, which gives the most amount of light off of the light bulb. This trim is perfect for use in kitchens, offices and commercial buildings.

Slotted Aperture

The slotted aperture trim is used to highlight or accent a specific object or space.

Pin Hole

Pin Hole trims give off a narrow spread of light. This trim is perfect for highlight a small object from above.

Baffle

The term Baffle refers to the grooved style of the trim. This trim is the most popular choice of all recessed lighting trims and is best used in living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and dens.

Step Baffle

A Step Baffle refers to the evenly spaced and large grooves in the trim. This trim is for use in all living spaces in a house (bedrooms, living rooms, and dens).

Wall Wash

Wall Wash trims will have a shield inserted into the trim. This allows the light to be directed at an angle against a wall or large surface: paintings, large photos, etc.

Gimbal Ring

Gimbal Ring trims allow the light bulb to be directed or angled to highlight a specific spot or general area. This trim is popular in living rooms, dens and home offices.

Eyeball

Eyeball trims refer to the look of the trim as an eyeball. The bulb is housed in the eyeball portion and allows for maximum adjustability in positioning the light. This trim is for use in living rooms, dens and home offices.

Aperture Cone

This trim is for use when superior performance photometrics is desired and low glare is needed. These trims are typically used in commercial applications.

Regressed Fresnel Lens

Lensed trims are for use in wet locations, such as showers, bathrooms and outside applications.

Scoop Wall Wash

Scoop Wall Wash trims will have a shield inserted into the trim. This allows the light to be directed at an angle against a wall or large surface: paintings, large photos, etc.).

SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS is the premium brand for the finest crystal elements manufactured by Swarovski. Available in a myriad of colors, effects, shapes and sizes. Formerly known as Strass® Swarovski® crystal, SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS have been the choice of designers since 1895. Machine-cut and polished to perfection, the logo is engraved in miniature in each piece to prevent imitations.

SPECTRA® Crystal stands for machine cut Swarovski crystal with reliable Swarovski quality. SPECTRA® Crystal has been a registered trademark since 1999 and offers the most important cuts in clear crystal.