The Swexan Hotel Controls Project was recognized with a Lighting Control Innovation Award of Merit in the 2025 Illumination Awards held by the Illuminating Engineering Society. Lighting and control design by the Lighting Design Alliance. Photography by Harwood International and Mauricio Rojas.
The Lighting Control Innovation Award was created in 2011 as part of the Illuminating Engineering Society’s Illumination Awards program, which recognizes professionalism, ingenuity, and originality in lighting design. The Lighting Controls Academy is proud to be a founding and longstanding founding sponsor of the Lighting Control Innovation Award, which recognizes projects that exemplify the effective use of lighting controls.
This is a 22-story hotel tower in Dallas, with only 134 boutique guest rooms and suites. Designed over 10 years ago, the project suffered from Covid-related delays and technological advances.
The project has linear LED dots integrated into vertical fins on the facade of the contemporary architecture by world-renowned Japanese Architect. Each diode is individually addressed for color and intensity to create a dripping lighting effect complete with dramatic color changes via DMX controller. However, that is not why the project was nominated for a control award.
Ownership demanded “old-school” brass rotary dials for guest rooms. The tactile touch and feel were as critical as the vintage looks. These analog dials had to be researched and tested for sensory touch and quality. The dials had to be converted into digital commands to integrate into the new whole room control system. With a push, dials activate a preset light level, and then a twist acts like a master override. To further enhance the guest’s experience, under lavatory lighting with custom occupancy sensors provide a soft nightlight effect, masked to eliminate false triggers when walking in the adjacent corridor. Above code requirements, each guestroom and suites incorporate occupancy sensors and daylight overrides.
Each meeting room and the ballrooms offers eight preset scenes, including DMX, colored controlled coves for client selected preferences. Like all public spaces, where daylight is present, sensors automatically select the appropriate preset. Ten-minute fade rates ensure all dimming is undetected by guests. All four of the restaurants have 4 scene presets and full iPad manual overrides.
Finally, the “speakeasy” includes full DMX control of everything from mirrored balls, color changing coves, and multiple automated fixtures. Preset scenes or DJ control for special events provide maximum flexibility.
Architectural vertical fins on the façade are detailed to include and conceal LED dot nodes that are individually DMX controlled for ultimate visual impact.
Two DMX control universes provide unlimited flexibility to create dynamic effects, including changing colors, different lighting patterns, and ultimately a vertical rain effect was selected.
The precast concrete base is uploaded with RGB well lights and programmed in accordance to the façade rail lighting effect.
Exclusive dining provided by 4 scene presets in each venue. Daylight sensors activate a second set of presets.
Vintage appearing analog dials are digitally converted to preset lighting options and provide master override for ultimate flexibility.
Guestroom bathroom with lights off as photocell override preset plate levels when occupied. Visible daylight sensors, maximize energy, savings and meet client sustainable goals.
Smart LED driver with custom, remote occupancy sensor has adjustable vision window to only activate hidden light from the restroom, not the adjacent corridor.
Special contact hinges allow for continuous dimmed light on shelves and create secret passage.
Client request as “not able to see my shoes” required 0.1% dimmable drivers.
Preset and DJ-controlled DMX system allows for high energy and energy-efficient flexibility.
