At the intersection of fourth and Diagonal, Starbucks recently added a new location for Seattle residents looking for easy access to their coffee and treats. The coffee shop features a drive-thru and a plant-filled trellis that Starbucks wanted well and attractively lit, while minimizing light pollution and spillover.

The Challenge

Our goal was to create a lighting system both functional and attractive: to meet Starbucks’ needs for illumination, while also employing an aesthetically-pleasing design.

The Solution

After examining the premises, we found a multi-functional solution. There was an existing smooth stripe on the building that was at a convenient height and created a good support for to mount the fixtures to on an otherwise rough faced brick surface. We placed the lights strategically to complement the pattern and were still able to illuminate the drive-thru and provide thorough coverage. Because the drive-thru was close to the property line, light spillover and pollution was a top concern. The best solution for this Starbucks location was to use wall sconce-style downlights with 100 watt metal halide lamps to mitigate this problem. These full cutoff fixtures prevent light from escaping up and out on to neighboring properties. The result is that the drive-thru and only the drive-thru – is fully illuminated. There’s a safe, well-lit area for customers that does not affect neighboring buildings. Electrical contractors must concern themselves with the safety requirements of the technology, the regulations of the municipality, the needs of the customers and the neighboring parties. Functionality and aesthetically pleasing design can go hand-in-hand; options exist for beautiful, practical fixtures, but working with the space is the key element that enabled us to meet Starbucks’ goals.