Museum of Nebraska Art

In order to address the challenge of seamlessly integrating into the CLT ceiling, the engineers at DMF Lighting worked with the team at Buro Happod to craft a customized design for the circulation space pendants. To maintain the “quiet ceiling” aesthetic, the stems were engineered to disappear seamlessly into the cross laminated timber beams without the use of standard canopy plates. This collaboration resulted in a delicate, almost candlelit effect that enhances the warmth of the wood and creates a “lantern-like” beacon visible from the street.

Technical detail of the custom suspended direct/indirect pendant mounting for the Museum of Nebraska Art. Diagram courtesy of BVH Architecture and Buro Happold; Originally featured in Designing Lighting magazine, Oct/Nov 2025 issue, ‘Casting Nebraskan Art in a Different Light’ by Randy Reid. Read the full feature here 

The M Series Cylinder (4″ extrusion) was the ideal solution for this type of complex solution.  Because all driver and electrical components are seamlessly built within the cylinder extrusion, the design team was able to eliminate the need for external hardware and deep canopies. This specific engineering allowed for the “quiet” ceiling effect seen in the project’s technical details, ensuring the fixtures emerged from the wood beams without unnecessary clutter.

Additionally, the LED light modules used within the pendants match those used in adjacent downlights in the space, allowing for aesthetic consistency throughout the circulation spaces.  This uniformity ensures  a cohesive experience for visitors as they move through the historic and modern wings of the museum.