Light, Hope, and Transformation - NEW Eclipse Ceiling Sculpture
- Ilissa McGowin
- Mar 23
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 24
Luminux Mobile at the City of Refuge
From its conception in 1997, The City of Refuge has been a welcoming place for struggling Atlanta community members to receive assistance. The community requested not only food and shelter, but also help getting into recovery centers, job training, and vocational skills. In response, The City of Refuge has continued to grow into an organization that seeks to aid the community in every way that it can. Luminux is proud to be a part of that expansion with the debut of our new Aerial Ceiling Sculpture, Eclipse.
Their campus houses multiple different programs, including but not limited to:
Education - Currently, preschool and 3rd-12th grade, 2026-27 school year will be opening kindergarten through 12th grade, so will be able to provide childcare in school from six weeks all the way to 18 years.
Housing - Men’s and women’s, including the House of Cherith, an on-site partner that provides safe housing and supportive services where women can recover from the trauma of sexual exploitation.
Job Training - Culinary, Cyber Security, Welding, Mechanical, and more!
The City of Refuge has continued its journey of expanding to serve the parts of our community that need it most, recently working with Uncommon Studios to design “The 1343,” the new 37,000-square-foot Transformation Center. This three-story property expands access to critical resources, including 25 units of affordable housing, a fresh market, mental health clinic, community bank, and an entrepreneurship and business incubation hub.
Designing Reflective, Transformative Spaces
Alex, Senior Interior Designer at Uncommon Studios, took charge of the project, purposefully designing to change lives of those that will exist in the space, creating “a safe, secure environment for people coming out of hard times and situations to get back on their feet in, and in a way that doesn't feel sterile”. - Alex Vaughn, Uncommon Studios
To achieve this goal, she chose soft blues and greens to tie back to nature throughout her design, and worked with Wendy Cerkovnik, Director of Campus Design at The City of Refuge, to choose Luminux’s new Aerial Ceiling Sculpture Eclipse to be the first moment of intrigue in the space.
“As part of the vision for our new building, we commissioned a custom suspended art installation to serve as a defining feature of the main lobby. The goal was to create an immediate sense of arrival - an experience that reflects the building’s character and elevates the space beyond function.”
- Wendy Cerkovnik, Director of Campus Design at The City of Refuge
'Eclipse' Ceiling Sculpture: Versatile Beauty and Dynamic Light Play
Situated in the main entryway atrium, Eclipse descends from the ceiling, over eight feet of dynamic light reflections and gentle movement swaying mid-air. Visible through the front window, Eclipse draws in visitors to the City of Refuge and gently reminds them of all the possibilities ahead of them.
“Luminux’s ‘Eclipse’ was perfect for this design as it was not just something to fill space but something that could really hold its own in that area. The [Luminux] artists were really great, we were able to send over some concept images and pinpoint custom colors out of those and integrate that into the sculpture. Even getting renderings to show the space, and sample pieces to make sure the size, textures, and colors were what we wanted were both really easy and seamless processes.”
- Alex Vaughn, Uncommon Studios
Craftsmanship and Design
Eclipse features twenty natural birch wood substrate circles, ranging from 21 inches to 8 inches in diameter, ten laminated on one side with Luminux's reflective panels, with the other ten laminated on both sides. This configuration allows for a dynamic interplay of light and reflection, and gentle movement of the strands with airflow.
“Working closely with the artist and project team, the installation was developed to respond to the scale and openness of the lobby, activating the vertical volume and drawing the eye upward. The process required thoughtful coordination between design, engineering, and construction teams to ensure the piece was both visually impactful and seamlessly integrated into the architecture.”
- Wendy Cerkovnik, Director of Campus Design at The City of Refuge
Customization Options
Choose from our collection of 32 graphic designs or create your own unique artwork. Eclipse can be tailored to fit a variety of spaces, with configurations measuring a 5-foot diameter with a 6.6-foot drop or two modules measuring 3 feet wide, 4 feet deep, and with a 6-foot drop.
Eclipse’s length once installed varies, as the installer changes the length of the aircraft cable between each disc using the adjustable fasteners.
“We selected [Luminux] for their expertise in large-scale suspended works and their ability to translate architectural intent into sculptural form. Their concept captured the spirit of the building while introducing movement, lightness, and visual energy to the space.”
- Wendy Cerkovnik, Director of Campus Design at The City of Refuge
Ease of Installation
Weighing less than 40 pounds, Eclipse is easy to install with the adjustable pre-hung aircraft cable assembly and wood ceiling mounting plate. Optionally, as done at the City of Refuge, the mounting plate can be broken into four separate sections to mount each strand.
“The fact that we could break [the mounting plate] up into four pieces and have more flexibility of where we placed it on the ceiling, and to work around sprinkler systems and things like that so we didn't fight any code issues was great.” - Alex Vaughn, Uncommon Studios
Pursuing Progress
From concept to installation, the project culminated in a signature piece that now anchors the lobby experience, welcoming visitors with a memorable and distinctive first impression.
Whether enhancing a commercial space or adding a touch of sophistication to a residential setting, Luminux ceiling sculptures redefine the possibilities of interior design.
Our Luminux Aerial Sculpture Collection features TangoTwo, Time Square, Jazz, Eclipse, and La Scala, each one designed with customizable reflective panels, offering you endless unique artistic possibilities
These sculptures, with their blend of innovative materials, customizable graphics, and ease of installation, represent a commitment to elevating spaces through creativity and craftsmanship.
Explore the transformative potential of Luminux ceiling sculptures today, and discover how elegance and functionality can coalesce effortlessly in your environment.
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