Prize(s) Honorable Mentions
Lighting Design/Product Company ThinkL Studio
Lead Designers Jason Nicholls
Client Joey Restaurants
Photo Credits Ruby Photo Studio: rubyphotostudio.com
Completion Date November, 2024
Project Location Toronto
Entry DescriptionAn upscale Toronto restaurant required a dynamic, layered lighting design that created an atmosphere of intimacy and sophistication. layered lighting design creates a complex and visually interesting experience through the diversity of sources, placement, and intensity of lighting.
Framing projectors with hexcell louvres create pools of light at each table, highlighting the culinary creations while ensuring visual comfort and providing a sense of privacy.
Each piece of art is framed by a projector creating focus and elevating contrast ratios for a visually impactful display.
Above the bar, a custom illuminated feature demanded close artisan coordination, and integrated task lighting for the bar surface below.
24' ceilings allow for a massive lit structure above the open kitchen. 3500K downlights with low-glare optics ensure proper task lighting without disrupting the dining ambiance. Dining areas are illuminated with 2700K, with 2400K for decorative fixtures.
Chain metal drapes are grazed with light to increase opacity when closed, defining private areas. Up lit trees, and glowing decorative fixtures help to create an intimate feeling in a large room.
The ambience continues in the restrooms, with soft light levels paired with vertical illumination at mirrors.
The design blends function and atmosphere, meeting budget and timeline.
Sustainability ApproachGuided by local energy codes, our lighting strategy minimizes energy usage by specifying high efficiency LED luminaires throughout to strategically light table surfaces, artwork and specific design elements.
A plan that utilized over 100 individually controllable zones and a highly flexible control system was developed, seamlessly transitioning the restaurant from a vibrant lunch service to an intimate evening setting and allowing for precise balancing of ambient, accent, and decorative lighting through the creation of numerous automated, pre-programmed scenes.
