AKLD Lighting Design’s Colorado team recently received two prestigious awards at the biennial Brilliance Awards, winning the Controls Award of Honor and the Exterior Award of Merit for “Downpour,” an experiential art lighting installation in Dairy Block Blake’s Passage. Judged by lighting design peers in the Rocky Mountain region, these awards recognize AKLD’s creativity, technical excellence, and innovative approach among a competitive field of submissions.

Situated in Denver’s historic Lower Downtown, “Downpour” transforms the pedestrian passage with nearly 400 programmable, color-changing spheres, simulating a magical rainfall of light. The RGBW “raindrops” are intentionally installed at a lower height, respecting the architectural significance of nearby historic structures. This unique installation was conceived to enhance foot traffic, spark curiosity, and bring a memorable sense of wonder to the area.

The lighting experience is dynamic, with sequences that shift with the seasons and mark special moments, such as hourly chimes, holiday celebrations, and even tributes to Colorado’s professional sports teams. Hovering above are graceful hoops of static white light, suspended at varying heights to create a complementary layer of ambient illumination. Together, these elements create an immersive, art-driven environment.

AKLD’s custom approach demanded a close collaboration with manufacturers, lighting representatives, controls experts, and integrators, involving all parties from concept through to the final programming. Each of the 26 catenary lines suspending the light spheres required individualized planning and structural analysis, from custom drop lengths to precise spacing and “swag” positioning.

Lisa Bartlett, Director of AKLD’s Colorado office, led the lighting design, orchestrating two concepts into a cohesive installation: the rhythmic hoops above and a pedestrian-level "rainfall" of changing colors below. The controls were designed with maximum flexibility, enabling a variety of compositions to echo the beauty of Colorado’s diverse regions. The primary daily program, “The Colorado Journey,” is a nearly hour-long display that celebrates the state’s unique landscapes and seasons, with scenes reflecting the colors of sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and storms.

McWhinney, the ownership group behind Dairy Block, shared their enthusiasm: “We’re so proud to have this installation at Dairy Block for our guests to enjoy for many years to come!”

This award-winning project highlights AKLD’s dedication to creating lighting experiences that not only illuminate but inspire.