Galleria Houston

Real estate investment trust Simon Property Group wanted to elevate their large-scale Houston shopping center, the Galleria, pivoting it from an average mall to an upscale shopping and dining destination. This $1.2 billion renovation program is just one of several of their projects throughout the country that reflect the growth and expansion of high-end tenants.

In addition to upgraded valet entrances and 155,000 square feet of new flooring, all-new LED lighting installations were imagined for the space, reflecting both luxury and modernity. Nanometer developed several large-scale NanoGrid arrays to elevate a functional but often overlooked space: the parking garage. The garages needed to be illuminated for safety and easy navigation, and providing drivers and pedestrians alike with the ability to easily see one another, as well as indicate entrances and walkways. But at the same time, the lighting needed to be efficient and elegant, reflecting the upscale and up-to-date ethos of the Galleria’s full design.

One area of the Galleria that needed an update was this walkway between the parking garage and a mall entrance. Though a popular place for those entering on foot, the space was very dark, meaning that oncoming vehicles, who had no visible warning signs, could not easily see pedestrians, resulting in a dangerous situation for everyone.

To remedy this, and keep pedestrians safe and drivers at a more reasonable speed, this custom NanoGrid array was installed overhead. Not only does the striking, helical design serve as an attention-grabbing way to encourage drivers to slow down, the acrylic diffuser found in all NanoGrid installations cuts down on glare for even better visibility, so pedestrians can be seen clearly at all times. It also serves as a directional beacon for pedestrians looking for an entrance, leading them straight to their destination. This creates easier navigation for pedestrians, and keeps them from wandering around in areas with lower visibility.

Another NanoGrid installation was placed at the newly updated valet entrances on the Galleria’s north and east sides. For these, Nanometer’s “Mackerel” NanoGrid pattern was slightly modified to allow for more light transmission, creating a brighter, more visible space in the parking structure. Parking structures can be dark, gloomy places lacking in identifiable features, so this install serves as both a wayfinding element as well as some unexpected and much-needed decoration; the attention to detail even here also hints at the luxury that can be found inside. It injects the space with light and visual interest and immediately creates a warmer, more welcoming environment.