New Studio, New Lighting Grid
Former lighting grid with square unistrut piping and huge gaps between the pipes
In coordination with updating the sets, I wanted to give the new space and my team a proper lighting grid. Originally, we had tried to figure out the maximum weight limit of the existing grid as we were looking to upgrade the lighting sources to better, but heavier lighting sources. Along with the unknown weight limit, there were major gaps in the structure of the grid, which made it difficult to light certain areas of the studio space. Also, the existing grid was made of square unistrut piping, which made it impossible to angle the lights to where we needed them.
Unfortunately, we couldn't track down any documentation stating the weight limit. I got in touch with the contracting company that installed the existing grid and they responded that they weren't anticipating heavier light sources and couldn't give me a straight answer as to what the weight limit was.
New grid with proper industry-standard pipe and design
From here, I sourced the structural engineering company McLaren Engineering Group to come into the studio to conduct pull tests. Their initial findings showed that the grid was anchored to the building's concrete, and advised that we not hang lights from the existing grid. Upon hearing this information, I contacted Joseph Mendoza from Perception Lighting Co. who I worked with on the Facebook HQ studio rebuild. Along with the help from the Facebook Facilities team, I worked with Joseph and McLaren to have the lighting grid rebuilt.
The result was a success and made for a much more flexible lighting solution, especially with having to constantly adjust lighting for the various sets in the spaces.