Panelite Case Study: Frameless Backlit Walls Maximize Space in Meeting Rooms and Hallways
HOK Architects designed a luminous interior meeting space and backlit feature walls throughout the headquarters of Lifetime TV Networks in New York. With color-changing LEDs behind the translucent honeycomb panels, the architects created a dynamic, ever-changing interior.
The most challenging aspect of the design was that the office plan allowed very little space for the lighting and wall panels. With Panelite Bonded Series panels, the backlit walls are less than six inches deep.
The specified configuration uses a clear satin finish on the backside of the walls – an ideal finish for even diffusion of LED light. The front face of the panels has a transparent finish to achieve a glossy, transparent look from the outside; this also gives the walls a sense of depth.
 Bonded Series Translucent Honeycomb Panels | Backlit Walls, Partitions |
 Panels Give a Sense of Depth to the Walls While Using < 6″ of Space |
Panelite Case Study | Backlit Walls, Partitions at Lifetime TV Networks Headquarters | Product: Bonded Series
FRAMELESS BACKLIT WALLS
Bonded Series panels take advantage of the inherent structural strength and extraordinary strength-to-weight ratio of honeycomb technology. The panels use 70 – 80% less raw material than monolithic resin or cast acrylic panels of comparable thickness. The 10’ high walls at Lifetime TV Networks are installed without any intermediate framing or structural support.
The architect specified BF-EFL flush finished edges for this project. The joints are created by simply butt-fitting the panels using a clear Very High Bond (VHB) tape, a common, easily sourced product by 3M.
The resulting joint is approximately 1/16” thick, far more minimal than the ¼” to 3/8” joints typically seen in silicone butt-glazed installations for glass.
 Lifetime TV Networks Sketch | Detail at Base of Wall |
PANELITE BONDED SERIES PANELS
Product code: B-RC-CT-CS Core: Random Clear
Thickness: 13/16”
ClearConnect™ Fabrication: BF-EFL – Finished Flush Edge Panel joint bonded with VHB (Very High Bond) tape on site |
Bonded Series BF-EFL Flush Finished Edge Joint | Backlit Walls at Lifetime TV Networks Headquarters
Design of this complexity is very difficult to achieve with translucent glass, since glass is much heavier, cannot be cut onsite, and requires more visible seams. Nor does glass offer the same degree of even light diffusion as honeycomb.
Installer for this project, Lehr Construction, fabricated the Bonded Series panels onsite as required during the installation process.
DESIRED AESTHETIC
Color-changing LED lights, evenly diffused through the frameless, translucent walls, enliven the space.
LED lights can be as close as 2.5” behind the panels and still provide uniform lighting, as opposed to fluorescent lights which typically need a spacing of 12 – 18” behind the diffusing panel. The VHB butt-joints are nearly invisible, allowing an uninterrupted expanse of luminous color.
The curved walls in this design were created by faceting the panels within the wall system.
Faceted Bonded Series Panels Created Curved Backlit Walls and Partitions
THE RESULT
Frameless backlit walls that maximize the space available for active use in the meeting rooms and hall-ways.
Project: Backlit Walls, Partitions using Bonded Series™ Panels
Client: Lifetime TV Networks
Architect: HOK
Installer: Lehr Construction
RELATED LINKS
- Project profile page – Lifetime TV Networks
- Spec sheet for the Philips ColorFuse PowerCore Spec Sheet linear LED recommended for applications similar to Lifetime TV Networks.
- Create custom curved panels using Bonded Series
- Project story: Curved backlit panels animate a children’s space with light and color
- Bonded Series Product Options
- Bonded Series installation options, guide