Lighting in Design May-June 2015

Dynamic lighting signature for retail complex

Working closely with the facilities team at Complexe Desjardins in Montreal, Lightemotion has breathed new life into that city’s largest mixed use development, a space totalling four million square feet.

L ocated in the Quartier Des Spectacles and facing the recently renovated Place Des Arts , featuring an innovative lighting scheme designed by Lightemotion, Complexe Desjardins is the latest addition to the Quartier to include a dynamic and innovative lighting design. The client was keen to resolve numerous issues through a lighting design strategy for the interior re- tail concourse and two main entrances to the retail concourse. Lightemotion was selected to develop a distinctive lighting scheme to create a warmer overall ambience, be dynamic and programmable, reduce heating and cooling costs and produce a call to action from the street so pedestrians enter the complex. A main requirement of the design was the ability of the client to create programmable and dynamic lighting effects that adapted to time

of day; season; and activity within the space. En- vironmental sustainability was also paramount in the lighting program to reduce hydro consumption, cooling and maintenance costs. Lightemotion undertook an exhaustive research and mock-up programme that recommended re- placing the existing flood lights with a custom de- signed fixture. The team conceived a bi-directional 140 W LED lighting fixture that showcased the diamond coffered ceiling combined with a powerful downlight to illuminate the entire shopping centre, adding much needed texture and nuance to the space.This also created an interesting floor pattern which enlivened the space, enhanced intuitive way- finding and diminished the vastness of the space. The lighting system not only provides a warmer ambience, with pre-programmed lighting that

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