DUELING IDENTITIES By RANDY REID
Photo credit: Seamus Payne Photography
The owners of Proper House Group set out to design two distinctive yet interconnected venues in Tampa, each with a unique ambiance. The first, Ash, is a vibrant, light-filled restaurant, while the second, Alter Ego, is a sultry, moody cocktail lounge. Despite their contrasting atmospheres, the two spaces are united by a shared kitchen connecting their operations. Kristin Pickar-Knussmann, Principal of KPK Lighting Design, LLC, was hired to conduct the lighting design. Her team included Natalie Anderson and Juanita Fadul.
Ash: A Space of Curves and Light Ash operates as a dining haven, serving three meals daily with a menu as expansive as its airy ambiance. Pickar-Knussmann, collaborating with the interior designer, Gin Design Group, and the owner, prioritized soft curves in the lighting design, creating a cohesive visual language throughout the restaurant. The focal point of the bar area is a curved pendant from
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designing lighting
Pickar-Knussman prioritized soft curves in the lighting design at Ash, creating a cohesive visual language throughout the restaurant.
Designing Lighting for Two Unique Spaces TechoLED with 360-degree illumination, providing both decorative appeal and functional lighting for the bartop. The ceiling design features a cloud-like soffit outlined with LED neon, enhancing the spatial curves with a soft glow. The space integrates various forms of linear lighting. Behind the stainless-steel bar shelves, Pickar-Knussmann placed field bendable metal extrusions with high density tape and milk white lenses in architectural pockets and behind floating metal shelving, producing warm indirect illumination and sparkle for bottles on the back bar. This accentuated the curves of the shelving while creating depth and drama. Task and accent lighting for tables were thoughtfully implemented using Ecana 3-inch recessed adjustable fixtures from Lumenwerx. Pickar-Knussmann specified fixtures with a spot optic and linear spread lens for a narrow ellipse of light on the banquette tables. This allows for table placement flexibility, ensuring even light coverage regardless of how tables are grouped.