Created with a collection of LED fixtures from Iluminarc, Vetro's lighting design can be traced back to December 2014, when John (Gonzo) Gonzalez, lighting director of MSNBC's Morning Joe Show, attended the Christmas celebration at Brooklyn's Saint Joseph's Co-Cathedral. It was there he met Steven Retas, who was lighting the church's façade with holiday-themed colours and gobos. The two men struck up a friendship and Gonzalez showed Retas the work that he and Leon Saddler of LightTech had done illuminating the interior of the 103-year-old church, a stunning design achievement that earned them international attention.
Duly impressed, Retas asked Gonzalez if LightTech could help him create a signature look for the newly designed rooftop deck at Vetro. The award-winning (International Five Star Diamond) restaurant was looking for something that would give its deck lounge a distinctive and memorable look. Working with programmer Jason Ayala, LightTech was able to help Retas achieve this vision at Vetro in breathtaking fashion.
"Steven asked Gonzo to use his design talent to create the mood for a completely different club-like venue here," said Saddler. "We used state-of-the-art lighting effects to unite different elements in the room and create a light space that harmonized with the beautiful surroundings."
LightTech positioned 23 of Iluminarc's Ilumiline 36 IP linear LED architectural wash lights around the deck. An additional 20 of the Ilumiline fixtures were used to illuminate the cabana drapes on the seaside deck. Measuring 38.6" long by 2.7" wide by 4" deep, the IP67-rated RGB fixtures fit well even in the tight space to ensure widespread coverage of the area.
"The Ilumilines gave us a lot of flexibility," said Gonzalez. "We didn't have to compromise our plans because of tight configurations. Plus the colour rendering is excellent. The perimeter fixtures are used as wall washers and they really colorize the room beautifully. The other fixtures are used to light the sheer curtains wrapping the cabanas, which creates an elegant touch."
Additionally, a pair of Ilumiline 21g2 IP fixtures were positioned to be used as downlights at the entrance columns to Vetro. The LightTech team also positioned two Ovation F-95WW Fresnel fixtures from Chauvet Professional over the DJ booth on the Vetro deck to provide soft, flat warm white light for the performer. "The Fresnels allow us to illuminate the performers in a flattering way without detracting from the overall ambience created by the architectural lighting," said Saddler.
To give their richly textured lighting display an added dimension, the LightTech team called on the services of Ayala, a well-known club LD and programmer in the New York area. Ayala created a flexible program that could change with the mood of the evening and was equally well-suited for used by a seasoned DJ or an inexperienced bar staff member.
(Jim Evans)
