“ The people at LumiGroup are creative , meticulous , and not afraid to think outside the box .
ARCHITECTURAL FOCUS
“ At first glance , it was obvious that lighting would play a crucial role in the success of this project ; the design of radial lighting emphasized the architecture of the place and its lighting ,” explains Ramzi Bosha , Architect from Lemay . “ And LumiGroup was a key player in realizing the lighting concept .”
The location of the future offices , setback several meters below the esplanade , was deprived of natural light , despite abundant windows . The place was dark , and the true ceiling height was unappreciated . On the other hand , the direct view of the street was interesting from a community perspective , and the existing and unique architecture was inspiring . The architects decided to capitalize on these assets by organically connecting the interior and exterior , and basing their layout on the important presence of the spoke structure connecting the curtain wall to the interior of the building to set the scene , enhance , and illuminate it .
From one area to another The reception area includes enclosed glass meeting rooms , a hidden coatroom , and screens . If necessary , some white painted glass walls can be used as a blackboard during events or meetings . The original concrete floor was restored and re-polished . On some walls , wooden slats warm the space . Here , refurbished Lotus chairs are also rediscovered , designed for Artopex by Paul Boulva in anticipation of the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games . Overhanging recessed and suspended lighting evokes speed and movement .
“ Designing partly recessed , partly suspended , lighting fixtures is a fantastic idea , but very complex to achieve because it involves the coordination of several trades and requires extreme precision ,” adds Thomas-Martin Girard from LumiGroup .
The main space has been separated into zones , each housing a distinct sector of activity — financial and legal services , human resources , construction , etc . — and assigned one of the colors of the Park ’ s brand image , corresponding to those of the Olympic rings . The passage points between these areas have been completely painted – floor , walls , ceiling – and are lit by tone-on-tone LED strips . Entering a new area crosses its colorful entrance , and its vibration and energy are absorbed . Once inside the zone , the space regains a neutrality conducive to concentration . The colors call for movement — from one to another , they invite the user to move on to the next area .
Along the curtain wall , the spaces are open and more convivial , promoting collaboration , teamwork , and interactive activities . The further you move away from the windows , the more intimate and cozy the areas become , welcoming closed spaces , acoustic booths , and semi-closed collaboration corners . Even in more private workspaces , the client wanted to open the space as much as possible , which in turn required appropriate acoustic treatment . Therefore , a whole network of felt slats was installed high up , into which the shelf lighting was to be integrated . In the cafeteria , the same fixtures had to be integrated into the reflective white stretched canvas ceiling — another major challenge .
At the ends of the main area , the walls have been entirely covered in mirrors , creating the illusion of an infinitely expanded space . The effect is reminiscent of the project ’ s signature lighting fixtures , which are reflected on the windows of the curtain wall , giving the impression of flowing outwards from the space .
Lighting with a strong personality
One of the architects ’ fundamental ideas for this project was to translate the passionate work of the people of the Olympic Park out into the community , and the site itself featured a spoke structure .
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