Adobe Stock - Brad Pict
46
designing lighting
LIGHTING RENOVATION:
Castro Theater
A Fusion of Historic Preservation and Modern Innovation By RANDY REID
The Castro Theater, a historic landmark in San Francisco, is undergoing a significant historic preservation and renovation effort to transform it from a historic movie palace into a versatile venue that will include an array of diverse programming. This project aims to enhance the theater's functionality while preserving its historic significance, involving intricate lighting design efforts, led by senior designers Krissy Kenny and Ruben Markowitz. The renovation is particularly exciting because Phoenix Day, the very company that crafted the original fixtures nearly 100 years ago, is set to retrofit them with cuttingedge technology. Founded in 1850, Phoenix Day's deep connection to the Castro Theater makes this project uniquely special, as Tony Brenta, a third-generation leader, spearheads the effort to bring modern illumination to these historic fixtures.
VISION AND GOALS The lighting retrofit is driven by the dual objectives of restoring the historic fixtures and integrating modern lighting solutions to create a safer, brighter, and more welcoming environment.