Prize(s) Winners in Bridges and Public infrastructures Lighting / Light Art Project
Company HLB Lighting Design
Lead Designers Ken Douglas, Elizabeth Johnson, Joe Spinnato
Other Designer's names N/A
Architecture Company Bridge Engineer: T.Y. Lin International, Bridge Architect: Donald MacDonald Architects
Client The City of Montreal
Photo Credits Feinknopf Photography
Other Credits Owner's RFP Development Team: Dissing + Weitling, Arup, Ombrages
Completion Date 7/1/2019
Project Location Montreal, Quebec
Entry DescriptionSpanning over 3 kilometers across the St. Lawrence River, this dramatic cable stayed bridge has become a modern symbol of Montreal. As part of the design/build team, the lighting designer spent over 5 years developing a complex dynamic lighting design that utilizes more than 7,000 luminaires and over 45 universes of DMX control. With lighting content that celebrates the country of Canada, the province of Québec, and the diverse city of Montreal, the bridge’s lighting system is a meaningful reflection of this vibrant community.
Precise studies of luminaire mounting details and placement combined with complex DMX channel and zone schedules, and light pollution calculations were all major technical requirements assuring the lighting system was well-integrated within the structure.
Environmental impact also informed design as seasonal bird migration presented a unique challenge. A custom dynamic scene was developed based on studies showing blue and green hues are the least distracting lighting wavelengths to birds. A cylinder of calculation points was used to assess light pollution, understand light emissions, and minimize reflection into the environment.
