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changes over the course of the day, but it is 67%
more economical than the previous system and
provides triple the lighting intensity at floor level.
To create a lighting ambience that was both
friendly and dynamic, Lightemotion conceived a
bi-directional LED lighting fixture that the Montreal
company Lumenpulse developed for the project.
Composed of two elements (a frame equipped with
RGB LEDs and a downward-directed directional
flood), the fixture directs coloured light upward
as well as directing lighting downwards towards
the floor.
By installing one of these fixtures in each ceil-
ing coffer, Lightemotion made it possible to create
subtle chromatic nuances that produced the effect
of a path of colours covering the vault of the retail
concourse.
Outside, the marquees covering each of the
building’s two entrances were also provided with
a lighting system that can project onto the ground
a chromatic ambience creating a call to action to
enter the retail concourse. The downlights provide
four times more lux level than the previous fixtures
while also creating a visually stimulating pattern on
the floor that eliminates the typical flat floodlight
wash effect.
Since the Complex is an event space and a
shopping centre, there was a mandate to ensure
the fixtures provided a wide range of visual options.
After a careful study of the traffic patterns based on
time of day and activity, Lightemotion developed
an ‘Urban Clock’ concept that uses a programmable
DMX system to adapt the colours, tones, intensity
and colour temperature.
The morning bright and energetic dynamic white
scheme helps people start their day. For the lunch
time rush warm colour tones are added to provide a
luminotherapy effect, especially in the darker fall and
winter months, and at night darker tones in blues
and greens create a relaxing ambience for shopping.
The custom-designed fixtures were also used out-
side at each of the building’s entrances. By using the
same design principles and technologies as inside,
the entrance lighting system projects onto the side-
walk creating a chromatic coloured ambience which
complements the lighting display inside.
The lighting design does more than offer a daily
show to visitors and a visual signature to
Complexe
Desjardins
. It is much more energy-efficient than the
traditional 400 W lighting fixtures that it replaced.
Using only 132 W each, the new fixtures reduce
energy consumption by 67%. Because they are also
equipped with photoelectric cells, they are capable
of automatically adjusting the lighting intensity and
power consumption to compensate for the amount
of natural light entering the concourse through two
large curtain wall windows at each of the two main
entrances.
Founded in 2002 by Francois Roupinian, Light-
emotion is an independent global lighting design
consultancy that combines outstanding lighting
design with technical excellence.
All photographs supplied by Lightemotion.
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LiD
05-06/15