From Concept to Creation: A 36 Feet Custom Bird Chandelier for an Airport Retail Project

An architectural lighting project shaped by thoughtful customization, material sampling, technical problem-solving, and over a year of collaboration.

Some lighting projects begin with choosing a chandelier. Others begin with an architectural vision that calls for something entirely different.

In August 2025, a commercial interior designer reached out to LYFAIRS about a retail project at an airport in Orlando, Florida.

The design was inspired by our Creative Golden Wings Floating Chandelier, but the proposed installation required a completely different scale, shape, finish, and lighting arrangement.

The designer shared architectural renderings and CAD ceiling plans, and our team began exploring how to turn the concept into a custom lighting installation.

A 36' Chandelier Designed Around the Architecture

The proposed ceiling installation followed a sweeping, curved layout measuring approximately 36' in length and 29' at its widest point.

Working from the supplied drawings, our design team developed a custom arrangement of suspended stainless steel birds, a curved ceiling canopy, and integrated lighting.

Beyond the appearance, we also considered the number of bird pendants, structural layout, installation requirements, packaging dimensions, and transportation.

This was no longer simply a resized chandelier. It was a lighting installation designed around the architecture itself.

Finding the Right Blue

Color was another important part of the project.

The designer initially requested blue bird pendants, so we produced a custom sample and shipped it for review.

After receiving the sample, the client refined the color requirements. While the bird finish was close to the desired result, the ceiling canopy needed to match a more specific shade: Sherwin-Williams SW 9049 Skyfall.

We prepared additional metal finish samples and sent them for approval until the final color was confirmed.

For a project of this scale, these small decisions matter. Physical samples allow designers to evaluate actual materials and finishes rather than relying entirely on digital renderings.

When Customization Requires Technical Advice

As the design evolved, the client requested another change: replacing the original canopy-mounted dimmable spotlights with individual lights suspended among the birds.

Our design team reviewed the proposed arrangement and recommended a different approach.

LYFAIRS Pro Tip | Dimming Large-Scale Lighting Installations

For oversized lighting installations with a significant number of light sources, dimming performance should be carefully evaluated, especially when the lighting arrangement changes.

In this particular configuration, our team identified a risk of unstable light output when dimming. We therefore recommended 2700K warm-white, non-dimmable lighting as a more suitable solution.

The client agreed, and we updated the specifications accordingly.

For us, bespoke lighting isn't simply about accommodating design requests. It's also about helping designers make informed decisions that balance aesthetics with practical performance.

One Year of Conversations, One Shared Vision

Over the following year, Nicole, our LYFAIRS project coordinator, remained in close communication with the designer.

There were revised drawings, material samples, technical discussions, updated quotations, and long periods of waiting as the project progressed through approvals.

Then, in August 2026, almost exactly one year after the first inquiry, we received the news: the project was ready to move forward.

With an estimated total weight of approximately one metric ton, the chandelier presented one final challenge — how to transport a 36 feet curved ceiling structure internationally.

Our team developed a modular solution, dividing the canopy into 10 connectable sections for more practical manufacturing, shipping, and on-site assembly.

Given the weight and dimensions, air freight was not feasible, so we planned expedited ocean transportation with the project's scheduled November opening in mind.

From Drawings to Reality

The order was confirmed in late September 2026, and our production team completed the custom fixture in approximately one month.

What began as an inquiry about an existing LYFAIRS chandelier had evolved into a large-scale architectural lighting installation, shaped by many conversations and countless small decisions.

We're now looking forward to seeing the completed fixture installed in its intended space.

For our team, this project is a reminder that bespoke lighting is about more than changing dimensions or finishes. It's about understanding a designer's vision, working through practical challenges, and remaining committed to the details, however long the process takes.

Some projects take time. The right ones are worth seeing through.

Have a Custom Lighting Project in Mind?

From architectural drawings and custom dimensions to material samples and complex installations, LYFAIRS works with designers and project teams to develop lighting tailored to their spaces.