Located off Chicago’s Elston industrial corridor, the 24,000 sqm expansion of Midtown Athletic Club and Hotel transforms what was the largest indoor tennis club in the country to the largest lifestyle center in the country. Within the Club, the Mind & Body suite was created for meditation and restoration. The lighting, in particular, was imagined and successfully designed to achieve a powerful and mystical effect. Mind & Body’s spacious relaxation lounge is where the mood dramatically changes, mentally preparing guests for Yoga or Pilates. In a dim room padded with warm blue-gray upholstered acoustic wall panels and a long bench, a constellation of tiny stars sparkle above and behind a Buddha statue sitting in a meditative pose. The “stars” are perforations of specific sizes in the ceiling panel for measured brightness, representing all of the zodiac signs. Originally, a layer of fabric was planned to cover the perforations to diffuse the LED strip light source. But during installation, we discovered the sparkle effect was stronger without the fabric and decided to eliminate it. The lighting completely transformed the lounge to other-worldly. Stepping into the Yoga studio from the relaxation lounge adds another dimension to the Mind & Body experience. Surrounding the studio are wall panels designed to float by using indirect lighting above and below, creating an aura of lightness. The soft glow radiates and uplifts the space while obscuring the passage of time.