A Workplace Defined by Light, Performance, and Purpose

For the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Headquarters in downtown Oakland, lighting was conceived as a critical layer in shaping how the building performs, feels, and supports its people. Spanning 244,000 square feet across ten stories, the project reimagines the public-sector workplace through a lens of sustainability, clarity, and human experience.

Our approach focused on balance, creating an environment that feels consistent, intuitive, and comfortable throughout the day. High-performance LED systems, paired with daylight and occupancy sensors, respond dynamically to changing conditions, reducing energy use while maintaining a steady visual rhythm across open work areas, collaborative zones, conference spaces, and shared amenities.

Light was used to reinforce both architecture and movement. Subtle shifts in intensity and layering help define transitions between quiet and active spaces, while maintaining a cohesive experience from the public-facing lobby to the rooftop terrace. A combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting brings depth to the interiors, highlighting materiality and creating moments of warmth without distraction.

Collaboration was central to the process. Working closely with MEP and interiors teams, lighting and controls were seamlessly integrated into the building’s smart systems, aligning performance, efficiency, and design into a unified whole.

Designed to support more than 1,300 employees, the headquarters reflects BART’s broader commitment to environmental responsibility and operational excellence. The LEED Gold-certified building stands as a forward-thinking workplace that prioritizes both sustainability and the everyday experience of the people within it.