UCHI DENVER
Denver, Colorado

The Austin-based restaurant’s biggest design challenges were to stand out as a unique, moody, and modern place to eat while feeling right at home in a historic, artsy, and rapidly changing neighborhood. Food preparation is done in view of the patrons, so we needed to get creative to meet code required light levels for food preparation while keeping overall light levels low to keep an intimate mood.

We worked closely with the architect to create a custom ceiling light element, fully integrating the lighting into the architecture, helped to develop semi-custom decorative pendants, while meeting sustainability goals, all while utilizing lighting controls for a seamless transition from afternoon to evening. Application of daylight in combination with the electric lighting were major design features of the interior and architectural designs, enforcing complementary harmonics of the two elements. Heavy involvement with the ownership team ensured a personable and collaborative effort to create a unique experience for guests.

As a high-end restaurant with ownership and chefs coming from Michelin-starred kitchens, patron experience was a huge priority with lighting playing an important role in setting the intimate mood for the high-end experience that the owners wanted to provide.

Client: tres birds
Hospitality, Lighting Design, Electrical Engineering

2019 Illumination Awards- Merit Award Recipient.

“The IES Illumination Awards program recognizes individuals for professionalism, ingenuity, and originality in lighting design based on the individual merit of each entry.”