EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT CENTER

Installed: 2025
Location: Johnson City, TN
Representative: Lighting Trends
Photographer: Erin Lyle

The newly remodeled café in Stanton Gerber Hall at East Tennessee State University was the canvas for a bright, active array of Sabin BLOCK pendants. The pendants feature one of Sabin’s unique offerings: fabric strap suspension. Straps introduce a material detail and a playful feeling. As an alternative to aircraft cable, they frame the array as floating art instead of utilitarian lighting.

Each small BLOCK fixture is lit to 4,000 lumens and the larger fixtures reach up to 5,000 lumens, so the area feels airy and brightly lit. Made entirely of felt, BLOCK is a dense acoustic absorber. When applied in an array, sound waves from activity are trapped and absorbed amongst the fixtures, eliminating distractions and allowing for increased capacity.

Also included in the remodel is a large TAPER. This pendant reaches 5,000 lumens of diffused, bright lighting and accents the table as a gathering point. The blue Gulf inner felt highlights Sabin’s two-toned color capabilities, made possible by our signature sewn construction and personalized craftsmanship