Northern Lights is a kilnformed glass installation designed by Martha Pfanschmidt for the entrance lobby of a 16-story condominium tower, The Casey, in Portland, Oregon’s Pearl District. Developed by Gerding Edlen and designed by GBD Architects, The Casey was the first condominium in the country to receive LEED Platinum certification. The project attracted attention for this accomplishment as well as for the integration of art throughout the building.
Artist Martha Pfanschmidt collaborated with Bullseye Studio to translate her art into the multi-layered, kilnformed installation, which she titled Northern Lights. The primary components of Northern Lights are a set of 4 backlit panels measuring 23” x 15’ (with one as tall as 18’). In addition to Northern Lights, Pfanschmidt made a series of smaller glass works called The Four Seasons for The Casey’s elevator lobbies. The Casey represents a dynamic partnership between developer, architect, artist, and fabricator.