Newfields, previously known as the Indianapolis Museum of Art, is a beloved institution here in Central Indiana. Luminocity recently had the honor of being chosen as the lighting contractor to install outdoor lighting at the Scholar’s Residence on the Newfields campus, and we are excited to share more about this project on the blog today!

The Scholar’s Residence was originally a home for the children of Eli Lilly, founder of Eli Lilly and Company pharmaceutical corporation in the 1930s. In 1966, Ruth Lilly and Josiah K. Lilly donated their parents’ estate to the Art Association of Indianapolis when they began to run out of room in their original Museum building. The donation of the estate, known as Oldfields, also included the Newfield house. This home is now used as the Scholar’s Residence. 

Visiting scholars and artists from around the country can stay in the furnished Scholar’s Residence temporarily while they are involved with performances or other work at the museum, such as the recent month-long Movement Workshop with Mitsu Salmon. Residents also include scholars participating in Project MUSE: MUseum Sabbatical Experience for Faculty Teaching at the Arts-Science Interface, which “allows chemistry professors the opportunity to spend 3-6 months onsite conducting arts-based scientific research or technical studies of the collections.”

Our relationship with Newfields began in May 2019, when our initial meetings began to discuss the outdoor lighting project at the Scholar’s Residence. There were a lot of moving pieces among multiple Newfields staff members, and we appreciate the hard work of Project Manager William Waldren as he supported the work we completed. The lights were installed at the end of October, not too long before the Newfields Winterlights event kicked off for the holiday season.

The project involved many special techniques in order to preserve the delicate handiwork and landscaping in this historic building. The home has two limestone pillars on the front entry, and in order to highlight them, we used a special tool to grind into the limestone and install a flush-mounted light. During the day, you barely notice the hardware, but at night the pillars are beautifully illuminated. 

The roof also had a rubber membrane on top of it in order to protect it and prevent leaks, but we wanted to install some lighting there to highlight the architecture above. We were able to mount lights onto paver blocks and rest those on the membrane so that the lights do not disturb the rubber membrane. We also installed lighting on risers in front of the home so that the natural vegetation growth was not blocked. 

We see the lighting at the Scholar’s Residence as a true piece of art, that blends in with the nature and other artwork around the Newfields campus and museum. We also ensured that the lighting was not just beautiful, but functional too. We used a core-drilling technique to install lights above the garage doors so that the entire home is well-lit for its residents. The area is in a somewhat dark are of the grounds, and the scholars are staying in a new town, so we wanted to make sure they feel comfortable and safe in their temporary home.

Karl Lundberg, founder and owner of Luminocity, says that he believes our excellent reputation and many certifications with organizations like the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals and Angie’s List helped us secure this prestigious contract with Newfields. “If it passes muster for Newfields,” he says, “then it will be great for your home too!”

If you would like to enlist Luminocity for your next home or business lighting project, contact us today! Your Central Indiana home can experience the same blending of beauty and function that we incorporated at Newfields!