SILVER OAK ALEXANDER VALLEY WINERY INTERIOR, Healdsburg, CA

Designers: Eric Johnson, Markus Wolf – EJA Lighting Design, Inc.

Photos: Patrik Argast

Juxtaposing state-of-the-art vinification with traditional barn-inspired architecture resulted in a modern yet sustainable facility—the first production winery to be awarded LEED Platinum certification. With a net positive water and energy rating, the winery was designed specifically to “give more than it takes” from the environment. Lighting needed to be cutting-edge to align with rigorous environmental standards, while still meeting the multifunctional and aesthetic needs of various spaces totaling nearly 120,000 sq ft. Design considerations included showcasing architecture, creating a welcoming ambience for tasting, highlighting retail, illuminating offices and production facilities, lighting a trail through the vineyards for nighttime tours, and melding the interior space with the surrounding landscape. Designing separate, multifaceted lighting solutions for each space made control of the entire system vital. As such, hospitality and tasting areas use preset light levels with a touchscreen interface, while production and office spaces are controlled by a standard network. All systems connect through BACnet, providing real-time analysis to monitor energy usage. Occupancy and daylight sensors with timeclocks ensure California Title 24 compliance.