M.C. Dean makes “lightweaves” on L Street

M.C. Dean celebrated the opening ceremony of the L Street underpass lighting installation known as “Lightweave” in Washington, D.C. The NoMa Parks Foundation selected M.C. Dean to serve as the general contractor and to work with FutureForms, the studio who designed and hand-fabricated each module in the Lightweave.

M.C. Dean was responsible for the electrical design, infrastructure, and installation for the project. “Lightweave” parallels M.C. Dean’s award-winning design and installation of “Rain” on M Street, which opened on November 13 of last year. The two lighting installations are part of NoMa’s underpass art park vision that aims to connect and transform the community through enhanced public spaces.

​NoMa, which stands for North of Massachusetts Avenue, is one of the fastest-growing districts in D.C. This area has become a center for business and residential communities which focus on building safe, sustainable urban landscapes. The dimly lit underpass will now draw visitors to look up and watch as the six lattice modules animate ambient sounds from the urban streets into lively visual displays of light.   

“Lightweave” is a smart installation that senses pedestrian traffic, overhead train vibrations, and passing cars, and generates custom lighting and sound experiences. Due to the various triggers and the layered, randomized programming, the LED lights will never appear the same.