Sawmill Market is Albuquerque’s premier urban market set in a historic lumber warehouse in the Sawmill District. Between the late 1800s and early 1900s, this location was a bustling epicenter for industry along the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad. First as agricultural land, it transferred ownership to the American Lumber Company, the largest lumber company in the Southwest. This building was once home to over 800 sawmill employees, and now serves as a community gathering hall for Albuquerque, showcasing the beauty of New Mexico through food, diversity, and art. Sawmill Market celebrates culinary traditions as well as emerging trends offering a diverse tenant mix of local food vendors, full-service restaurant experiences, and unique retail.

Our goal for the lighting design was to illuminate the existing warehouse features and new fit outs with an elevated yet casual and modern industrial chic experience that embodies the history, activities, and values of the project. Light acts as a powerful visual cue, bringing a sense of safety and cultural activity to an otherwise dark, industrial area. Bringing new life to an abandoned warehouse and neighborhood on the rise was a key design driver that brought depth and purpose to our role as lighting designers on the project.

Client: Islyn Studio
Lighting Design, Renovation, Specialty Lighting Controls