The Lodge at Gulf State Park

What happens when Hurricane Ivan comes straight at your doorstep? You rebuild. What happens when you design a project on a Gulf Coast beach? You’re going to have to deal with sea turtle nesting season. Turtle nesting season is from May 1 to October 31 each year. All lighting facing the ocean must be within a nanometer range of 580 to 780 resulting in an amber light source. The solution put forth in a presentation to the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) was to use a wireless technology to shift all oceanside light sources to amber mode in turtle nesting season and then back to 2700K at all other times of the year by digital timeclock programming. The best of both worlds. The project also had a goal of LEED Gold and SITES Platinum certifications which influenced lighting techniques and selections. Onsite evening walkthroughs with USFWS spanned two years and spot adjustments to the design were made when requested. Targeted lighting concepts were needed to reduce energy consumption, but guest safety was always paramount. Hesitation about an amber lighting environment were alleviated by the hotel’s education program to promote being a part of the ECO Tourist movement.

 

Team Members: Lake Flato / Rabun Architects / Looney & Associates / Sasaki Landscape Architect