What is the brand of a food pantry, catering to Chicago’s struggling working classes?  At Lakeview Pantry, the key part is respect, in turn supporting self-respect.  The Pantry provides not only nutritious food, fresh vegetables and all of the basic needs of its clients, it also gives a bunch of flowers every week, bringing life and animation to sometimes very basic homes.

Lux Populi drew on this inspiration in its collaboration with Wheeler Kearns Architects to create a new home base of Lakeview Pantry and a new communication of its brand to its clients and the surrounding community.  Utilizing a lowest-cost-per-lumen approach to the lighting, we sought out all the key factors that allow clients to be received in a space that would feel equally appropriate for an organic grocer or other high cost retail space.  Emphasis was placed on substantial contrast, emphasizing the interaction zone of the counter, the lighting of the food and flower presentations, and counter-intuitive lighting of the waiting area – uplighting giving the impression of a sharper and more designed space.

Upstairs, in the volunteers’ office facilities, well thought out placement of basic fluorescent lighting creates an excellent work environment, thrift being demonstrated, but not at the cost of design and function.

Overall, Lakeview Pantry represents Lux Populi’s lowest cost project to date (per square foot) and one of our proudest successes.