Glowing plywood ceiling illuminated by Type A–lamp pendants above dining area
Timothy Hursley Glowing plywood ceiling illuminated by Type A–lamp pendants above dining area

“Creating lighting that brings value to the owner doesn’t have to be extremely expensive. The results are striking, and the designers really hit the mark on this.” —Juror Dawn Hollingsworth, Darkhorse Lightworks

A ramen restaurant centers on one humble ingredient—the ramen noodle—which can be combined with a series of elements to make many special dishes. The strategic design of this eatery in Bentonville, Ark., by TM Light and Marlon Blackwell Architects works similarly. One basic element—plywood—is configured in many different ways to create a dynamic spatial and material composition. The lighting design employs the same approach: An exposed A lamp with a screw-in base is integrated into a series of details in conjunction with varied plywood configurations to create a diverse and dynamic texture of lighting.

Concept diagram: The simple A lamp integrated into a series of unique details
courtesy TM Light and Marlon Blackwell Architects Concept diagram: The simple A lamp integrated into a series of unique details
Glowing plywood volume floats above counter
Timothy Hursley Glowing plywood volume floats above counter
View at entry, Co-Op Ramen
Timothy Hursley View at entry, Co-Op Ramen
Glowing plywood ceiling
Timothy Hursley Glowing plywood ceiling
Concealed Type A lamps at the plywood ceiling and booth wall
Timothy Hursley Concealed Type A lamps at the plywood ceiling and booth wall
Type A lamps concealed in the millwork frame the entry to the booth area.
Timothy Hursley Type A lamps concealed in the millwork frame the entry to the booth area.
Suspended and surface-mounted Type A lamps at the booths create intimacy.
Timothy Hursley Suspended and surface-mounted Type A lamps at the booths create intimacy.

Details
Project Name: Co-Op Ramen
Location: Bentonville, Ark.
Client/Owner: Ropeswing Hospitality Group
Lighting Designer: TM Light, New York • Alex Miller, Aoife O'Leary
Architect: Marlon Blackwell Architects, Fayetteville, Ark. • Marlon Blackwell, FAIA, Meryati Johari Blackwell, AIA, Steve Reyenga, Assoc. AIA
Photographer: Timothy Hursley

Project Size: 2,200 square feet
Project Cost: Withheld
Lighting Cost: $12,000
Watts per Square Foot: 0.8
Code Compliance: 2014 Arkansas Energy Code
Lighting Product Manufacturers: Nora Lighting