Edsel Ford, son of the famous automotive pioneer Henry Ford, together with his wife Eleanor, had an imposing estate built not far from Detroit which was to become the family home, but also a meeting place. It is only natural that Ford House has been welcoming guests from all over the world since 1976. The visitor centre and a administration building will now shine with BEGA light following a redesign completed in 2021. This emphasises the friendly and inviting character of the historic building.
The architecture of Ford House was largely inspired by classic English cottages in the Cotswold style. With its wonderfully homely and cosy character, it is intended to be a place where people can come together and where groups both small and large can feel at home. The outdoor terrace is also fittingly spacious. BEGA recessed wall luminaires with asymmetrical light distribution were installed, providing low illumination for the area and creating a friendly, intimate atmosphere. The BEGA wall luminaires on the stone façades also contribute to this effect. The walls and floors of the outdoor area with its numerous seating areas are bathed in a warm, friendly light. In this atmosphere, visitors can chat informally while enjoying the view over the extensive gardens of the 87-hectare estate and the shores of neighbouring Lake St. Clair.
The basic concept of "inviting connection" is emphasised in all areas of the facility by minimalist BEGA luminaires with warm colour temperatures. Even the bollards flanking the footpaths leading to the building are inviting for visitors as they approach Ford House. Once visitors have reached their destination, they can admire the building up close. Subtle limestone façades reflect the connection to nature. They are illuminated from the ground with weatherproof BEGA surface floodlights, which are discreetly concealed behind plants and bushes together with the power cables. This makes the Ford House look like an oasis of light that blends harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. The sophisticated illumination solution protects wildlife by emitting as little light as possible into the night sky, making a statement about closeness to nature and sustainability. And with intelligent energy planning, it has been possible to achieve net-zero energy consumption for the administration building. The highly efficient LED luminaires from BEGA also contribute to this efficiency.
Lighting design SmithGroup (Luke Renwick, Paige Donnell)
Photographer Justin Maconochie
