Harvest Properties aimed to design a space with natural light that would attract both businesses and customers
The Leamington transitioned from a hotel to a popular music venue in the 1960s, but ultimately shutting its doors 1970s. It was redeveloped as an office building in the early 1980s with renovations that added three atrium skylights to provide light to a bank located on the first floor.
The building's owner, Harvest Properties, decided to update the ground floor from offices into a communal space that would attract both businesses and customers. They knew natural light would create the ambiance they desired.
Crown Sheet Metal installed the three VMS Ridgelights in four days. Two of the new ridgelights are made up of 48, 31.5 x 86.6-inch modules, while the third Ridgelight consists of 24, 31.5 x 94.5-inch modules. All three have two venting modules on both ends to provide cooling air flow to the lobby below. The new skylights feature energy efficient LoE3, Argon gas filled, tempered over laminated OSHA rated high efficiency glazing with ERC ridgelight flashing.
The lobby has been transformed into a light-filled gathering space, where people can grab lunch and take a break from the workday. With the stained-glass light diffuser removed, plus the open floor plan below, the space feels much more open. The ventilating units on the ends of each Ridgelight gives building operators a way to cool the space. The skylights are equipped with a rain and wind sensor, so they will close in the event of rain or high winds. And the building's lighting system automatically dims the lights when there's more sunlight streaming in or brightens them on overcast days or at night.