In Charlotte’s emerging Pearl Innovation District, lighting plays a central role in shaping a welcoming, connected and culturally meaningful public realm. As the district evolves into a national destination for healthcare innovation and research, its lighting strategy supports both its technological ambition and its deep respect for the history of the surrounding community.

The Pearl sits on land once home to the Brooklyn neighborhood, a vibrant Black community that was displaced during midcentury urban renewal. Today, the landscape design honors that history through spaces created for gathering, reflection and storytelling. Lighting helps guide visitors through these layered experiences and ensures that the district feels safe, intuitive and cohesive during both day and night.

At the heart of the site, Rama area lights illuminate the central plaza and the terraced forms inspired by the historical Jacob’s Ladder staircase. Rama was selected for its ability to deliver high performance without overwhelming the landscape. Multihead configurations allowed the design team to minimize the number of poles, which helped preserve open views and maintain a comfortable, uncluttered atmosphere. The clean geometry of Rama supports the modern architectural language of the district and reinforces a sense of clarity and calm throughout the plaza.

Along the district’s linear connector known as the Purposeful Walk, SHUFFLE introduces a different layer of functionality. SHUFFLE serves as both a lighting solution and a smart urban tool. Each column integrates lighting with wayfinding, emergency beacons and programmable light rings. The system connects seamlessly with Charlotte’s larger Uptown lighting network, which enables the district to participate in synchronized citywide lighting events. These colorchanging displays help celebrate community milestones and civic holidays while strengthening The Pearl’s identity as a cultural and educational hub.

Together, Rama and SHUFFLE support a lighting environment that is sophisticated, adaptable and deeply responsive to context. Rama provides consistent illumination and visual comfort in high activity areas. SHUFFLE brings intelligence and versatility to the district’s connective spine. The result is a lighting strategy that elevates both the practical and experiential qualities of the landscape.

The lighting strategy became a powerful connector, linking the site’s historic roots with its forwardlooking vision. It demonstrated how light can operate as both a precise technical tool and a meaningful narrative element that enriches the experience of the place. As Ayers Saint Gross noted, the team understood the vision from the outset and delivered lighting solutions that met performance needs while respecting the emotional and cultural significance of the place. The project demonstrates how coordinated site lighting can unify identity, performance and community engagement at district scale.