Introba Light Studio: Illuminating the Potential of Spaces by Introba

Introba Light Studio

ILLUMINATING THE POTENTIAL OF SPACES

Introducing Introba Introba Light Studio Expert and Trusted Advice Our Experience

Light Studio Leadership

Introducing Introba

Designing Living Systems, Transforming Built Environments

We are a global network of changemakers creating smart, resilient, and connected Living Systems.

Introba’s leading-edge design and advisory practices apply technology, advanced engineering, and thoughtful creativity to elevate the human experience by creating Living Systems.

We recognize that business-as-usual engineering will not future-proof against the impact on our planet’s resources or ensure human safety and comfort. As a result, critical changes to global infrastructure, material supply chains, and government and corporate policies all play a role in our transformative design and consulting work.

Through our network of strategically integrated practice areas, Introba seeks to remedy inefficiencies, capitalize on shared opportunities, and find practical solutions to create adaptable, efficient, flexible, equitable, cost-effective, and resilient environments today and for future generations.

Global Experience

Introba is a global team of planners, engineers, and consultants dedicated to transforming the built environment. With over 1,000 employees in offices across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Serbia, and Australia, Introba is one of the world’s largest building engineering and consulting firms.

Committed to reshaping the world, our problem solvers combine cutting-edge digital solutions with emerging innovations and industry-leading sustainability strategies to transform the built environment. We collaborate with our clients to create living systems that are smart, secure, resilient, and connected – spaces that uplift communities, protect the health of the planet, and adapt to meet the demands of the future.

Introba Light Studio

Illuminating Ideas

Introba Light Studio is the dedicated architectural lighting and daylighting design division of Introba.

Spanning diverse scales and project types, we provide fully integrated lighting design services for clients in Canada and across the globe, from bridges, urban greenways, and university campuses to museums and public art installations.

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

Transforming spaces is not just our passion; it is our expertise. With meticulous attention to detail and a focus on creativity and innovation, we craft immersive experiences that captivate the senses and exceed industry standards around the globe.

CUSTOMIZED EXCELLENCE

No two projects are alike, and neither are our lighting solutions. We specialize in tailoring each design to suit the unique essence of our clients’ vision, ensuring that every space is infused with its own distinctive character and charm.

COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP

By working hand-in-hand with architects, interior designers, and developers, we transform your vision into reality with precision and flair. Grounded in research and driven by a passion for excellence, our designs are informed by the latest insights and innovations.

SUSTAINABLE BRILLIANCE

With a focus on energy-efficient technologies and environmentally friendly practices, our designs not only enhance the beauty of your spaces but also minimize their environmental footprint. By prioritizing sustainability without compromising on style or performance, we create lighting solutions that lead to brighter, more sustainable future.

TEMPLE OF LIGHT – KOOTENAY BAY, BC, CANADA © JAMES DOW

BRUNO RESTAURANT & BAR – RICHMOND, BC, CANADA © KEVIN JAMIESON

SFU LECTURE THEATER – VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA © EMA PETER

OLD TOWN PARK – CHICAGO, IL, USA © NICK FOCHTMAN

UBC ROBSON SQUARE – VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA © EMA PETERS

THE STACK – VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA © ANDREW LATRIELLE

Expert and Trusted Advice

Every project is unique, and we believe in designing to that same philosophy.

DAYLIGHTING ANALYSIS

Daylight is the ideal light source for aesthetics, sustainability, energy, and health, but achieving optimal daylighting requires careful consideration of factors like orientation, materials, and shading along with the light sensitivity of display objects and the sequence of gallery spaces. As daylighting consultants, Introba uses digital and parametric modeling to explore the design space and optimize designs, ensuring balanced and effective daylighting without glare or negative impacts.

FOCUSING

A project will never reach its full potential without focusing. Careful coordination with the project team and client allows us to aim, focus and set the scene within each space to ensure every element is staged perfectly and ensure every project succeeds.

ENGAGEMENT

Communication and engaging the client and design team are crucial to getting the best from any project. Briefings, design sessions, and workshops are vital in our early thinking. We engage the design team to discuss ideas and expectations to agree on the fundamentals to move forward.

VISUALIZATION TECHNICAL DESIGN

Whether computer-generated or sketched, interpreting our designs onto paper allow us to truly communicate our ideas and design intent. We believe even simple sketches can speak a thousand words in translating ideas to provide a clear direction for the lighting design.

Our deep understanding of architecture, optics, and the physics of light and building construction equips us to design solutions that balance visual comfort, energy efficiency, health and wellness, and beauty.

Whether the source is electric light or daylight, we understand the nuanced process of balancing and controlling illumination in the visual environment.

USER EXPERIENCE

User experience is what ensures success. Lighting plays a vital role in this, from helping to create an exciting environment from the outset to maintain this excitement throughout its lifespan.

Our Experience

Transforming Spaces with Sustainable and Dynamic Lighting Design

As daylighting and lighting designers, we see light as more than just a way to illuminate a space—it’s a transformative tool that shapes experiences and enhances the connection between people and their environment.

Whether designing for offices, cultural institutions, healthcare facilities, or residential homes, we approach lighting with an understanding of its ability to both function efficiently and inspire.

Daylighting is central to our approach. By maximizing natural light through windows, skylights, and light wells, we create spaces that feel open, energizing, and connected to the outside world. Daylight improves mood, productivity, and overall well-being, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and contributing to sustainability.

When daylight alone isn’t enough, we turn to energy-efficient LED technology and smart lighting controls. These solutions reduce energy consumption without compromising quality. Whether it’s preserving art in a museum or

illuminating a commercial space, we ensure that each design is tailored to meet specific needs with minimal energy use. Motion sensors and dimming systems adjust light based on occupancy and time of day, further enhancing efficiency.

Lighting also plays a crucial role in storytelling and visitor engagement. In museums, galleries, and retail spaces, we use dynamic lighting to highlight key features and evoke emotional responses, guiding visitors through an immersive experience. Our designs are adaptable, ensuring that lighting can evolve with changing exhibits or shifting functions within a space.

Ultimately, our designs prioritize sustainability. By carefully balancing natural and artificial light, we create environments that are not only energyefficient but also environmentally responsible. Through innovative, flexible, and efficient lighting solutions, we elevate the experience of any space, making it more functional, memorable, and sustainable.

Artistic Permanent Installations

Our lighting solutions can transform public art and light art installations into captivating experiences. From sculptures to interactive displays, we use light as a medium to bring art to life, engaging audiences and enhancing visual impact..

Commercial Spaces

For office complexes, manufacturing facilities, laboratories, and research centers, we design lighting that promotes productivity, safety, and comfort. We balance functional lighting with energy efficiency to support dynamic environments where people work, create, and innovate..

Cultural Spaces

Museums, performing arts venues, monuments, and religious buildings deserve lighting that celebrates their heritage and significance. Our designs enhance visual storytelling, create dramatic effects, and respect the architectural integrity of these cherished spaces..

Educational Facilities

Libraries, schools, and universities benefit from lighting that enhances learning environments. Whether it’s focused task lighting or creating open, inviting spaces, our designs help foster focus, inspiration, and a conducive atmosphere for growth.

Exterior & Urban Spaces

Parks, gardens, and streets come alive with our exterior lighting solutions. We also work on city master plans, creating environments that are not only functional and safe but also visually stunning and accessible after dark.

Healthcare Environments

Hospitals, medical centers, rehab centers, and assisted living facilities require lighting that promotes healing and comfort.

Our thoughtful designs create calming, patient-centered spaces, ensuring well-being through light that adapts to various needs.

Recreational Spaces

From sports venues to entertainment destinations like casinos, nightclubs, and amusement parks, we design lighting that enhances the experience for both participants and spectators. Our designs bring energy, excitement, and atmosphere to every recreational space..

Retail Spaces

Shopping complexes and retail environments benefit from lighting that draws customers in and creates a dynamic shopping experience. We work with brands to design lighting that showcases products and enhances the overall retail atmosphere.

Hospitality Spaces

From luxury hotels to resort spas and intimate restaurants, we design lighting that creates the perfect ambiance for every moment. Our designs help define the guest experience, from relaxing retreats to exciting nightlife

Institutional Buildings

For fire halls, city or municipal halls, and correctional facilities, we ensure that lighting promotes safety, functionality, and efficiency. Whether it’s for operational areas or public spaces, our solutions support the critical needs of these institutions.

Residential Spaces

Whether it’s a cozy single-family home or a multi-family building, our residential lighting designs help make every space feel like home. From energy-efficient options to ambient lighting for comfort, we bring out the best in your living space.

Structure and Landmarks

We transform buildings, monuments, bridges, and sports stadia with stunning lighting designs that showcase their architectural beauty. Using a blend of architectural and decorative luminaires, our innovative schemes turn these structures into captivating landmarks, enhancing their impact and creating unforgettable visual experiences.

Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre

Nk’Mip Desert Cultural and Exhibit Centre

Can daylighting transform a museum’s atmosphere while preserving art and enhancing visitor experience?

LOCATION:

CLIENT:

The project is an 8000 SF addition to the award-winning Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, including a Class A exhibition and event space.

Working collaboratively with the NK’Mip Desert Cultural Centre team and Osoyoos Indian Band elders, the project was envisioned as a transition through the earth from the existing building and ‘into the light’.

Detailed daylight analysis explored a series of skylight and clerestory schemes and informed the setting out, depth and angling of solar fins along the east and westfacing clerestories and to carefully assess visual comfort throughout the exhibition and event spaces.

Design considerations included the even illumination of display walls and glare mitigation to ensure the event space had the flexibility required to accommodate multiple uses and programs including the ability to photograph events with the desert setting as a background.

Telus Ocean

L4 West Open Floorplate Indicative Renderings

Telus Ocean

Can innovative daylighting improve sustainability and comfort in a tech-forward building?

Adjacent to the historic Empress Hotel and Crystal Gardens, the 11-story tower features nine stories of office space (three for TELUS, plus a digital health clinic), two levels of rooftop amenity areas, two levels of underground parking, and a large lobby, amphitheater, and public space at street level.

A key goal of the project was to “Embody the Future of Technology,” with a focus on demonstrating next-level sustainability and social responsibility. The building has achieved LEED Platinum, WELL Building, CaGBC Zero Carbon Building, and Salmon Safe certifications.

The design includes high-quality finishes and systems, such as modular radiant ceiling heating and cooling, under-floor air distribution using a raised floor plenum, and advanced communications and smart building integration. Heating and cooling are powered by an all-electric Heat Recovery Heat Pump plant.

The project also features a rooftop photovoltaic array, building-integrated photovoltaic systems in handrails and skylights, and sophisticated lighting systems for facades, interiors, and landscape areas. Key aspects of the design include CFD modeling for optimized mixedmode ventilation systems and daylighting/glare studies to enhance occupant comfort and visual experience.

Pink shows areas of the scene where the luminance exceeds 2000 cd/m2; an occupant would experience this as harsh glare and blinds would need to be lowered.

Sacred Heart School Academic Arts Building

Can daylighting analysis elevate a space’s flexibility by harnessing the power of natural light?

LOCATION: Atherton, CA, USA

CLIENT: Sacred Heart School

ARCHITECT:

WRNS School

AREA:

79,000 ft²

SUSTAINABILITY:

Zero Net Energy + LEED Gold Targets

SERVICES PROVIDED: Daylighting Analysis

This new 79,055 square foot Academic Arts Building will replace an existing 20,000 square foot building on Sacred Heart’s Atherton campus. The building design includes flexible learning spaces and inquiry labs, administrative spaces, and studios for the arts, including digital media, a television and radio studio, and a photography studio. A performing arts wing will include a dance studio, band room, and chorus room, with direct access to an outdoor amphitheater. All of the learning spaces are designed to allow for flexibility.

The new building will feature high efficiency LED lighting and occupant-based lighting controls. Rooftop photovoltaic panels will be installed to help the project achieve the

Zero Net Energy goal. Introba is providing lighting and daylighting design for this new building, as well as electrical design and photovoltaic design services.

San Mateo County Office Building

Can daylighting enhance energy efficiency and occupant well-being in a sustainable, visually stunning building?

LOCATION: Redwood City, CA, USA

CLIENT: County of San Mateo

ARCHITECT: Studio Gang AREA:

180,000 ft²

SUSTAINABILITY:

Zero Net Energy + LEED Platinum Target

SERVICES PROVIDED:

The San Mateo County Office Building III is a new 180,000 square foot facility that will house multiple government agencies. The project is targeting Zero Net Energy and LEED Platinum. Renowned architect Studio Gang has created a beautiful and efficient form designed to provide enhanced daylighting and natural ventilation of the entire building. The building will consist of three pavilions. The pavilion at level one will contain the building’s lobby/press/ ceremony space, board chamber, one-stop kiosks, county information center and a café. Surrounding the pavilions on level one will be the public plaza which will be adjacent to the campus’ landscaped promenade.

Introba is providing mechanical, electrical, low voltage/ technology, daylighting and plumbing design services for this project.

University of California, Merced

ZNE Downtown Administration Center

University of California, Merced

ZNE Downtown Administration Center

Can daylighting boost productivity and connect the campus with the community?

LOCATION: Merced, CA, USA

CLIENT: County of San Mateo

ARCHITECT: Heller Manus Architects

AREA:

67,400 ft²

SUSTAINABILITY:

Zero Net Energy + LEED Platinum Targets

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Daylighting Analysis

Mechanical

Electrical Technology

This new facility will consolidate administrative staff members in downtown Merced, bringing and economic boost to the neighborhood and connecting the campus more closely with the community. The new center will include some collaborative space for more campus-community partnerships, as well as office space to consolidate teams of administrative staff that are currently split up into various off-campus sites. The project is being delivered via designbuild.

Introba is providing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services, as well as technology design, energy consulting and lighting design. The project is targeting LEED NC Platinum and Zero Net Energy. The Downtown

Administration Center is a component piece of UC Merced’s 2020 campus plan, which Introba also worked on.

SoLo | Soo Valley Modular Home

Can off-grid homes have inspired lighting?

Pemberton, BC, Canada

The Lower Soo Valley falls within the extremely remote, traditional territories of the Lil’wat and Squamish Nations. As an off-grid project in an extreme climate, pursuing Passive House energy efficiency helps to achieve the goal of self-sufficiency. The Soo Valley project is a prototype for a much larger community, and provides exceptional comfort, beauty, resilience and integration within local existing ecological systems.

SoLo is grounded in nature, which inspired the lighting approach for this residence. Alluding to flames of a campfire in the dark, Introba Light Studio created nontraditional lighting strategies that used no wall scones, floor lamps, poles, nor bollards. Instead, many areas were illuminated through the warm reflection of light bouncing from the interior materials.

Luminaires are dimmable and individually controlled to allow flexibility in creating desired light scenes. Inground and ceiling grazers installed on one side of the space to emphasize the architecture are the only source of general lighting in the open spaces.

Carefully positioned track lights in the steep ceiling illuminate the artworks on two walls, and fill the rest of the space with reflected light. Miniature adjustable downlights create pools of light in the kitchen. A minimalistic pendant is the only element that marks the dining area.

Due to the complex prefabricated walls/DLT ceiling and integration of luminaires into the structure, accurate luminaire sizes needed to be specified. Wiring routes were installed in the prefabricated building chases with zero error tolerance. Daylight and occupancy sensors were integrated through the entire house to eliminate energy waste in this off-grid residence.

The exterior corridor is illuminated only by rays of light captured precisely by structure. Their rhythm reinforces the asymmetrical lighting concepts of the interiors.

UBC | Robson Square

Can

technology enhance a classic mid-century design?

UBC Robson Square sits in the heart of the Robson Square complex – a site in downtown Vancouver designed by internationally renowned architect Arthur Erickson. This civic complex is home to the Law Courts, government offices and the Vancouver Art Gallery.

The project pays respect to many aspects of the original Erickson design, including lit coffered ceilings, a wood slat ceiling and illuminated boardformed concrete grand stair while upgrading outdated fluorescent technology and significantly brightening the below-grade facility.

The discreet installation of the linear cove fixtures eliminates any glare that could be caused by typical installation methods (e.g., surface, suspended or recessed mounting options), providing more comfortable lighting for those who are sitting or just passing through. Within those coves, pendants are scattered in random patterns to bring more interest to the ceiling by creating movement and flow.

Descending the grand stair,

a cluster of minimal black luminaires is hung in a cascade, inviting the eyes to move up and down the symmetrical twin stairs.

In the void space of the stairs, long cables dip delicately, creating a natural flow to the stairs. The contrast between the cool, rugged, gray concrete and the stark, smooth black of the pendants provides a stunning layered look that brings dimension and interest to an area that could have been overlooked.

From the lowermost level, the pendants illuminate the small sitting areas adjacent to the steps with pockets of warm light. The cascading and asymmetrical arrangement of the pendant system is reminiscent of stars in the night sky; each star – or pendant light – looks stunning on its own, but a constellation of them tells a bigger story.

UBC | Scarfe Auditorium

Can lighting inspire learning?

Renovating a space while preserving a strong lighting design vision presents unique challenges, particularly when dealing with hidden structural and mechanical elements.

The team’s expertise in luminaire installation was crucial in overcoming these obstacles and delivering a seamless lighting solution for the lecture theatre.

Stakeholders identified the existing space as claustrophobic, stuffy, dark, and dated, creating a lessthan-ideal environment for learning and presentations. With this in mind, the design aimed to transform the space into a versatile, welcoming environment suitable for various events—presentations, speeches, and movies—while offering intuitive lighting controls. The result is a space that feels more like a performance venue than a traditional institutional setting.

The lighting design guides the viewer’s focus toward the stage, subtly steering attention away from other elements in the space. Luminaries are expertly concealed, ensuring

a clean, unobstructed visual experience. Small aperture downlights with magnetic interchangeable optics are strategically placed to provide even, precise illumination across the seating area, eliminating lamp imaging and wall scalloping.

The interplay of light and shadow on the warm woodclad surfaces enhances the theatre’s elegance, creating a welcoming atmosphere without distracting from the presentation. The refined lighting design not only elevates the aesthetics of the space but also ensures a functional, comfortable experience for both the audience and the presenter.

By prioritizing quality, control, and sophistication, the lighting design transformed the once dated space into an inspiring, multi-functional venue that now feels open, bright, and inviting.

SFU | Lecture Theatre

Can lighting solutions transform traditional venues into modern experiences?

LOCATION:

Designing lighting for a renovation presents many complexities, with numerous unknown existing elements like structural components and mechanical equipment in the ceiling, walls, and floors potentially impeding the implementation of the lighting design intent during construction. A deep understanding of luminaire installation proved crucial for the success of this project.

The client wanted to create a lecture theatre that can be tailored to a broad array of programs such as presentations, speech, and movies with simple and intuitive controls in a warm and welcoming space that feels more like a performance theatre rather than an institutional venue.

Lighting leads viewer towards the stage and away from other elements in the space with luminaires that are completely concealed from view and precisely detailed.

Adjustable small aperture downlights with magnetic interchangeable optics provide precise beams of light to illuminate the entire seating area evenly and keep lamp imaging and scalloping away from the walls. The play of light and shadow on the warm wood clad surfaces of the space create graphic interest while remaining soft and elegant and avoiding any visual distraction for the audience and presenter.

Familial

Although appearing as solitary, trees are connected to one another through vast underground systems known as mycorrhizal networks. Through these hidden systems—a symbiotic relationship between plants and fungi—trees share nutrients and resources with other trees and using chemical signals, transmit information to one another.

Inspired by forest mycorrhiza, Familial is an award-winning art installation that uses light to make visible the connections that go unseen. This site-specific artwork incorporates protected trees in New Westminster’s Queen’s Park, including a giant redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum) and several European beech trees (Fagus

sylvatica) that commonly form mutualistic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi. Through this underground fungal-root network, a community of thriving individuals is created.

The last tree is lit only by a ring indicating extinguished trees due to catastrophic events and metaphorically individuals that feel isolated in a connoted community.

Familial illuminates the interdependencies in our forest ecosystems and in tandem, interdependencies in our relationships with one another—invisible linkages that connect us across geographies and through time.

Glockenspiel Regina

© MICHAEL BELL

Glockenspiel Regina

The Glockenspeil, a symbol of the German community in Regina, stood in the park from 1986 to 2010, was removed during construction, restored, and then re-installed in 2020, breaking the decade of silence in the town’s center.

Located at Victoria Park, Regina, this set of bells play music of ethnic and cultural groups in the community.

Introba Light Studio illuminated the 24ft tower with a highly technical and discreet uplighting scheme with precision-aimed luminaires that highlight the inside of the bells and the clock face at the top of the tower.

© MICHAEL BELL

Three Watchmen

Can light provide emphasis? LOCATION:

Located outside of the entrance of the Audain Art Museum is a new public monument by three renowned B.C. Indigenous artists—Haida chief James Hart, Squamish Nation’s Xwalacktun, and Lil’wat Nation’s Levi Nelson. The public monument is located in Whistler, B.C.—one of the largest ski resorts in North America famous for its natural beauty, and endless array of shops, restaurants and nightlife.

The massive artwork is comprised of two parts: a sixmetre high bronze sculpture by James Hart entitled “The Three Watchmen” sitting atop a concrete base encircled with a waterjet-carved, aluminum band artwork entitled “The Great Flood”, a collaboration between Xwalacktun and Levi Nelson.

The sculpture is powerfully illuminated from carefully concealed luminaires— custom carved basalt stone

columns with controlled beams of light that wash the form without spilling light onto the surrounding landscape. Carefully aimed beams of light target each ‘watchman’ providing even lighting on the faces without generating harsh shadows.

The resulting design illuminates “The Three Watchmen” figures from their feet to the tips of their hats without front lighting the concrete base that the bronze sculpture sits upon. This preserves the lower light levels needed for the base so that a soft glow of backlighting is visible behind the aluminum band of “The Great Flood”.

The pine trees located behind the sculpture are lit softly , creating the backdrop for the artwork.

The final lighting design is one that is fully integrated into this landscape setting, illuminating the monumental artwork and its stories.

ESHLHIHKW’IWS –Making Connections

ESHLHIHKW’IWS – Making Connections

Can the interplay of light inspire a deeper connection to the natural world?

LOCATION:

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Lighting Design

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:

2024 LIT Design Awards Honourable Mention

DARC Awards, Short listed for light/art installation High Budget Category

“Making Connections,” a striking public art installation at the City of Burnaby by Squamish and Kwakwak’wakw artist Xwalacktun, invites residents and visitors to reflect on our relationship with the natural world. This dynamic piece blends Coast Salish heritage with light, honoring The Sacred Four: the Thunderbird (guardian of the land), the Salmon (symbol of health), Water (giver of life), and Sky (source of air).

The installation features 10-foot-wide laser-cut aluminum panels, standing 23 feet tall, designed to be visible from various locations, including a nearby train station.

Concealed linear wall grazers illuminate the panels, creating a mesmerizing play of light from both front and back.

The front glows with 4000K white light, while RGBW lights cast multicolor sequences.

Each night, the piece

transforms as hues of deep teal and blue, representing rivers, oceans, and skies, bring the artwork to life. The Thunderbird is illuminated with surges of yellow light, evoking its command over lightning. Red and blue rays symbolize the life-giving force of the salmon. The closing sequence blends white and blue light, reflecting like clouds on still waters.

This art installation celebrates First Nations culture, nature, and humanity’s shared heritage, blending light and material into a powerful narrative of connection and interdependence.

New Brunswick Museum

Can lighting design enhance a museum’s narrative while adapting to its changing needs?

LOCATION:

John, New Brunswick, Canada

CLIENT:

Schmitt Architects

ARCHITECT:

The New Brunswick Museum (NBM), Canada’s oldest continuing museum, is undergoing a significant revitalization to create a modern, sustainable facility that honors the province’s rich natural and cultural heritage. The project involves constructing a new 134,000-square-foot building at the historic Douglas Avenue location in Saint John. This design aims to capture the essence of New Brunswick’s landscape, offering expansive views of the Saint John Harbour and surrounding natural beauty.

The revitalized museum will feature nine exhibition galleries, including permanent and temporary spaces, to provide visitors with a comprehensive exploration of New Brunswick’s history and culture. Flexible areas designated for educational programs, community events, and public gatherings are also integral to the design, fostering community engagement and learning.

Sustainability is a key focus of the project, with considerations for using mass timber—a renewable and sustainable resource—in the construction,

reflecting New Brunswick’s leadership in forestry. The goal is to achieve zero-carbon certification, aligning with contemporary environmental standards.

The lighting design concept enhances the architectural features, accentuating the building’s beauty while providing a flexible and adaptable system to support the evolving needs of museum curators.

A key challenge in this project is the complexity of the exhibits, ranging from large-scale, three-dimensional displays in the natural history section to delicate newspaper prints and hand-drawn artworks.

Each exhibit requires a tailored lighting approach to effectively convey its story while ensuring optimal visibility for viewers.

Large public spaces, such as lobbies and auditoriums, require a flexible lighting system that can be tailored to accommodate a variety of functions, from educational programs and performances to weddings and special events.

The Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum

Can lighting design harmonize art, nature, and sustainability in a dynamic cultural space?

LOCATION: Burnaby, BC, Canada

CLIENT:

The new SFU Burnaby art museum connects the university with the community, embracing the landscape with floor-to-ceiling glazing that frames forest and mountain views. Made of mass timber and brick, its open design harmonizes with nature.

Interconnected galleries, gathering spaces, a library, and an outdoor courtyard foster education and engagement.

A central path aligns with the campus walkway, reinforcing ties between art, nature, and academia. Achieving LEED Gold, the fully electric building prioritizes sustainability.

A warm, open interior highlights art, while community spaces encourage interaction. Thoughtful design ensures inclusivity, creativity, and environmental stewardship.

The lighting design anchors the museum within its site while creating a highly adaptable environment for exhibitions of all scales and media.

Supporting both indoor and

outdoor displays, the system enhances the visitor experience while preserving the integrity of each artwork.

Designed in harmony with the mass timber beams, the lighting layout aligns with the ceiling grid, ensuring seamless integration and flexibility. The system provides optimal illumination without glare, maintaining curatorial intent. A modular lens system allows on-site adjustments, offering varied beam spreads to accommodate diverse display needs.

Each fixture includes individual dimming and on/off controls, ensuring precise illumination for artworks ranging from delicate works on paper to large-scale sculptures. This adaptable approach enhances visual clarity while supporting curators and artists, reinforcing the museum as a dynamic cultural space.

Fort Langley Museum

salishan Place by the River

Fort Langley Museum

Can lighting bring a museum’s exhibits to life while protecting their history?

LOCATION: Langley, BC, Canada

CLIENT: Township of Langley ARCHITECT:

Located in Fort Langley, BC, salishan Place by the River iis a 40,000-square-foot arts, culture, and heritage center. This three-story facility houses the Langley Centennial Museum, an archive, and the Fort Langley branch of the Fraser Valley Regional Library.

With a reception hall, galleries, program spaces, and a 167-seat theater, it hosts diverse events and exhibitions. Designed with natural materials and Indigenous collaboration, Salishan honors cultural heritage while fostering community connection and artistic expression.

The lighting design presented several challenges due to the exhibit spaces featuring a combination of 22-foot and 12-foot ceilings. To address these variations, suspended tracks with uplight components were utilized, adding a second layer of light to enhance the overall ambiance of the space. Meticulous attention was given to selecting LED chips with a high CRI and consistent color

temperature to ensure optimal color accuracy and visual integrity across both gallery types. Additionally, precise optics were employed to achieve uniform and controlled lighting, tailored to the specific needs of each exhibit.

For the exterior, lighting was carefully designed to illuminate the soffits, ensuring that no light spill affects the interior museum spaces. This approach not only enhances the building’s architectural features but also preserves the integrity of the exhibit environment. The lighting system was designed with flexibility in mind, ensuring that light-sensitive artifacts can be appropriately displayed with minimal risk of damage.

This thoughtful and precise lighting design ensures that the museum spaces are both visually striking and functionally suited to exhibit a wide range of artifacts, from lightsensitive works to large-scale installations.

Saulteau Cultural Centre

Can lighting elevate a cultural space, blending tradition with modern experience?

LOCATION:

Saulteau, BC, Canada

CLIENT:

Saulteau First Nations

ARCHITECT:

Iredale Architecture

SERVICES PROVIDED: Lighting Design Mechanical Electrical

The Saulteau Cultural Centre’s architectural design seamlessly merges functionality with beauty, creating multifunctional spaces that are perfectly suited for a variety of exhibitions and community events. The sweeping curves of the building, inspired by traditional Saulteau structures, provide a striking aesthetic while facilitating the integration of flexible interior spaces. These spaces are designed to accommodate diverse exhibition needs, from largescale displays to intimate showcases of art and culture.

The main hall, with its expansive open area, is ideal for exhibitions that require ample space, while smaller, more intimate rooms can be used for educational displays, workshops, and cultural gatherings. The design ensures that each area is adaptable, allowing for easy reconfiguration depending on the type of event or exhibition. Natural light, filtered through the curved roofline, illuminates the exhibits in a way that highlights the intricate details of both traditional and contemporary works.

This thoughtful approach to space planning reflects the Saulteau’s commitment to preserving and sharing their culture while creating an environment that is both inspiring and functional. The Saulteau Cultural Centre is not only a venue for exhibitions but also a place where the community can gather, learn, and connect, all within a beautifully designed space that honors their heritage.

Lighting design played a pivotal role in shaping the Saluteau project, seamlessly integrating with the architecture to enhance its form and atmosphere.

Thoughtfully concealed, the lighting follows the fluid curves of the space, accentuating its design with precision. A carefully curated palette of color temperatures interacts with the materials, enriching textures and crafting dynamic moods. The result is an immersive visual experience where light becomes an essential architectural element, transforming the space with depth, contrast, and emotion.

Horseshoe Bay Park

Can lighting design weave history, culture, and artistry into a vibrant public space?

LOCATION: West Vancouver, BC, Canada

CLIENT: District of West Vancouver

ARCHITECT:

Landscape Architect, PWL Partnership

COMPLETION:

SERVICES PROVIDED:

The Horseshoe Bay Park project in West Vancouver entails a comprehensive revitalization of the park and promenade, strategically enhancing the lighting design and electrical systems, both visible to tourists arriving via BC Ferries and the local community.

The focal point is the uniquely crafted pole lighting, a nod to the area’s history, particularly its connection to fishermen and sailboats. These customdesigned pole lights, originating from hand drawings, intricately encapsulate the site’s historical essence. Adding a layer of cultural significance, the lantern motifs are thoughtfully curated by three local First Nations artists, each bringing their distinct perspective, resulting in a diverse tapestry of designs. This amalgamation transforms the space into an open-air gallery that captivates visitors during both daylight hours and the evening, creating an immersive experience.

In harmony with the grand pole lighting, the smaller pathways are subtly illuminated by unobtrusive bollard lights. These unassuming fixtures ensure that the attention remains focused on the

centerpiece while providing safe and unobtrusive illumination for those navigating the paths.

Moreover, the project thoughtfully incorporates miniature marker lights, strategically placed to illuminate the various lookouts within the park. These markers not only enhance safety but also contribute to the visual allure of the park, guiding visitors to scenic viewpoints. Adding an element of understated enchantment, the mature trees within the park are adorned with concealed lights. This meticulous placement ensures that the park exudes a gentle, ambient illumination, enhancing the overall ambiance without overpowering the natural beauty of the environment.

In essence, the Horseshoe Bay Park redesign not only redefines the visual landscape but also serves as a testament to the intersection of history, art, and modern design.

The Polygon Gallery

Can a gallery curator be empowered to paint with light?

Introba provided lighting design, daylight design, mechanical and electrical engineering services to this two-story art gallery located on North Vancouver’s waterfront.

SUSTAINABILITY:

First National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) 2011 compliance submission in the City of North Vancouver.

SERVICES PROVIDED:

The gallery space includes a fully glazed lobby, multipurpose community space, cafe, retail enclosed with exhibition spaces, administration and back-of-house spaces, as well as a glazed events gallery including exterior terrace.

Introba Light Studio expertly blended daylight and artificial lighting in the gallery spaces, meeting diverse lighting requirements for both uniform, glare-free general lighting for the overall space and precisely aligned, customizable, accentuated illumination of exhibited artworks. Designed to be visually discreet, the lighting design thus highlights the artworks and the gallery’s airy and spacious architectural design.

This project was designed

to ASHRAE 90.1 2010 standards, with sustainability features including hook-up to Lonsdale Energy Corporation offsite hot water systems, daylighting, natural ventilation to area outside of principal exhibition spaces, and recycled aluminum cladding.

The Art Gallery and Exhibition Preparation and Storage spaces were designed to a Canadian Conservation Institution Class B Gallery Climate control and includes provisions for maximum occupant gatherings and maintaining maximum flexibility for the main gallery and multipurpose spaces are served from a system of four-pipe fan-coils for local climate control, with fresh air supplied through a heat recovery type dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS).

Temple of Light

Can lighting enhance a spiritual space?

LOCATION:

The Yasodhara Ashram Temple of Light displays elements of symbolism in it’s dome shape and placement of windows, doors and panels. The Yasodhara Ashram made use of simple, local climateadapted features of the location to minimize the impact on the existing infrastructure and minimize energy use.

Natural light is a key medium and defining feature of this project. Light and space optimization have given this Temple a bright, open-concept lay out, with light entering

between the structure’s woodframed, petal-shaped panels and through the crown. The new facility has been built on the concrete foundations of the former building, with a high performance building envelope, glazing, geothermal systems and photovoltaic arrays.

Introba provided lighting design, mechanical, and electrical design services to this award-winning project.

Ashram

Fort York Visitor Centre

Can lighting create a contemporary look in a site with a rich history?

ARCHITECT:

Situated beneath the Gardiner Expressway on a 43-acre site in downtown Toronto, the center serves as a museum and explores the relationship between natural landscapes and the built environment. The museum is a hub, connecting visitors to the site’s rich history and surrounding areas while providing enhanced public program facilities. The center includes multipurpose meeting rooms as well as a theatre.

Introba provided mechanical and electrical services for this project, offering a truly innovative approach to museum design. Careful consideration for the varied historic collections informed mechanical and electrical design strategies utilizing such systems as displacement ventilation to maintain humidity levels. The facility is designed to the Canadian Conservation Institute’s Class A Museum standards.

Additional features include radiant slab heating and cooling, an air source heat pump system with condensing boilers, and a fully adjustable lighting control system. Exterior LED lighting illuminates the site boardwalk and is suspended from the causeway to provide lighting from above. Lighting solutions were developed to meet the museum lighting quality, quantity, and operational aspects for each exhibit space. Artworks were defined in each exhibit space based on their sensitivity to light and corresponded with the selected lighting solutions.

The Pacific

Can lighting design enrich urban spaces and foster community engagement?

LOCATION: Vancouver, BC, Canada

CLIENT: Grosvenor Canada

ARCHITECT:

COMPLETION:

Nestled in downtown Vancouver, the 40-storey residential building merges the city’s history with modern design. Five towering columns, adorned with glass mosaic figures reflecting the colors of the nearby “Yellow House,” feature gold motifs that celebrate the community’s vibrant stories.

Creating a lighting design that enhances both art and architecture presented challenges. The concept focuses on illuminating the columns while maintaining a subtle soffit. Key hurdles included managing glare and ensuring uniform illumination of the 20-foot columns, achieved through a single adjustable LED downlight with an oval beam.

LED color consistency and high CRI values were vital for complementing the mosaic tones. Linear LEDs illuminate the entrance steps, while traditional lighting highlights the Yellow House’s exteriors without overshadowing public art.

The lobby’s minimalistic dark

finishes contrast with the bright exterior, serving as a backdrop for public art. Extensive studies ensured the lobby’s luminance harmonized with the mosaics, resulting in a cohesive design.

A sophisticated lighting control system manages seven layers of interior and five layers of outdoor lighting, creating dynamic scenes throughout the day, enhancing ambiance, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing light pollution. This innovative approach effectively blurs the lines between interior and exterior spaces.

Nemesis Cafe

Nemesis Coffee

Can light express form?

Sitting at the southern edge of Emily Carr University of Art + Design, the café resides within an iconic petal-shaped pavilion. It boasts a roughly 50-seat dining area and a mirrored pod that houses a Class 2 commercial kitchen, offering a glimpse into the art of coffee roasting and culinary craft.

Introba Light Studio took charge of providing lighting design services for the roastery, kitchen, and café bar. With the kitchen and roastery on full display, particular attention to luminaire selection was necessary to ensure both aesthetic appeal and functionality that caters to the practical needs of a bustling kitchen.

Despite the constraints of mounting options for suspended luminaires at the café bar, Introba Light Studio offered precise and accurate guidance for a customized mounting approach, ensuring flawless execution for an optimal design solution.

The team’s meticulous approach to lighting design not only enhances the ambiance of the café but also reflects the artistry of the coffee roasting process and culinary craftsmanship, culminating in an immersive experience in this new campus’ social hub.

TELUS Sky

Can lighting and green technologies transform urban environments?

The TELUS Sky project aims to revolutionize the Calgary skyline with a mixed-use tower in the heart of downtown Calgary. The 60-storey tower will feature 30 storeys of office space which is targeting LEED Platinum, and 30 storeys of residential space which is targeting LEED Gold.

Introba has provided electrical, lighting design, energy modeling and LEED consulting engineering services to guide this project towards achieving its sustainable goals. This mixed-use building will house multiple programs via this high-rise towers. This includes market housing,

retail units and underground parking, while the corporate tower will house offices, a restaurant and a public plaza.

This civic icon of sustainability features a central plant with high efficiency heat pumps and waste heat recovery. With green roofs including elevated roof forests, TELUS Sky will be a stunning and true representation of Alberta. Additional innovative feature include LED lighting, addressable lighting control, and integrated building systems.

Old Town Park

Old Town Park

Can exterior lighting enrich urban environments while honoring their past?

LOCATION:

ARCHITECT:

Old Town Park is a new park in Chicago’s historic Old Town neighborhood, surrounded by three residential towers, a hotel, busy streets, and an elevated train route.

As the centerpiece of the development, it attracts locals and visitors alike, offering views from the towers and the train.

The park features intimate seating areas, pathways, a playground, a dog park, and lawns, with a landscape design that combines curved lines and hard edges. A ribbon of 29 Maple trees runs east to west through the park, creating a unique visual element.

The lighting concept reflects Old Town’s history, connecting the landscape with contemporary architecture.

To accentuate the tree ribbon, 26 custom lanterns were designed, inspired by iconic Old Town iron gates and Victorian ornamental ironworks.

These lanterns, crafted from seamless laser-cut globes, measure 30 inches in diameter and hang from three types of tilted poles ranging from 11 to 16 feet in height. Their intricate patterns feature the development’s logo alongside forms related to the surrounding plant species.

The poles, with their sharp angles, echo the architectural lines of the nearby buildings, while the lanterns’ spherical shapes harmonize with the soft curves of the landscaping. This design allows the lanterns to appear as if they float, gently illuminating the tree leaves.

The lanterns serve as the park’s signature ornamental feature, complemented by minimalistic bollards that light the walkways. Seating areas are highlighted with soft underbench lighting, while the lawns remain dark to create visual balance and emphasize the overall hierarchy of the space.

SFU Trottier Observatory & Science Courtyard

Can lighting make the old new?

LOCATION: Burnaby, BC, Canada CLIENT:

Fraser University, Trottier Family

Perched on top of Burnaby Mountain, Simon Fraser University is an iconic campus, marked by original architect Arthur Erickson’s terraced grid. Largely thanks to the vision of SFU physics professor Dr. Howard Trottier and funding from his brother, Montreal tech company founder Lorne Trottier, SFU set out to create a dedicated space for bringing science education and astronomy to children and the public.

The observatory gave Introba the opportunity to work with the telescope and auto-dome technologies. Introba developed strategies to integrate the system with the manufacturer and ensured SFU’s systems met Canadian Standards.

The original concept for

the observatory site was designed to show a modern representation of an ancient observatory – an earth mound dissected by walls that carefully control the view of the sky, which will in turn highlight the movement of celestial objects.

Introba Light Studio incorporated LED colorchanging luminaires, controllable per side, installed at various locations along the plinth. By specifying a 30 x 60 optic, the design eliminates any glare effect on the constellation consoles on either side of the wall and creates a band of light along the wall front, providing an engaging and immersive outdoor experience at night.

Light at Play | Canada 150

Can lighting showcase a memorable and lasting experience?

LOCATION:

SERVICES

On 2017, the City of Vancouver launched the Drum is Calling Festival, a 9-day event celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation. Locally named Canada 150+, the celebration includes Indigenous engagement and programming as a way of honouring Canada’s heritage beyond the last 150 years and embodies a shared future with mutual understanding.

In collaboration with Kasian and with combined support from CDm2 Lightworks, Lumenpulse and Western Pacific Enterprises, Introba Light Studio was able to create “Light at Play”, a dynamic light show that was designed to pay homage to Canada’s heritage as it closes the festivities every night.

Serving as the canvas for Light

at Play, the heritage façade of Queen Elizabeth theatre was illuminated with 100 dancing lights while traditional Aboriginal drums lead the way with a marching rhythm. Choreographed to synchronize with the original composition “Pow Wow Carnival ft. Little Creek Singers” by DJ Shub, the playful lighting created life in dark summer sky, giving a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable experience to people of all backgrounds.

Introba Light Studio led the design with the goal using light to create a memorable and lasting presentation, and was successful in what they believe as one of the most important core values of our country – its ability to unite people from all cultures.

Bruno Restaurant

A lighting system that is versatile, flexible and uses the latest lighting control technology with dim-to-warm LEDs delivers a project that is more about the effects of light rather than visible luminaires.

Indirect lighting accentuates the curved ceiling while concealed cove lights in the bar softly highlight the wall paneling which is then reflected by the adjacent mirrors to create lightness and illusion of infinity in the space.

Inspired by the purposeful lighting found in museums, small downlights are strategically placed to cast focused light on tables and dishes, crafting an intimate, private atmosphere.

Integrated lighting within the wine display and backlit bar shelves elevates the sparkle of the glass bottles, adding a touch of elegance and refinement.

With this restrained approach, large scale custom decorative pendants over the long community table become a striking feature that is both functional and visually captivating.

As the luminaires dim, the color of the light become warmer, allowing the space to effortlessly transition from a vibrant, social energy to a cozy, intimate ambiance, creating a perfect atmosphere for every occasion.

Capilano University: The Luminous Project

Capilano University | The Luminous Project

Can lighting celebrate history and create lasting memories?

The Luminous Project is a permanent installation that illuminates Capilano University’s main campus hub, the Birch Building. This project was created to celebrate the university’s 50th anniversary, and the light installation was revealed on the evening of their 50th anniversary celebration event. Introba provided lighting design and lighting art consulting services for this project, designing the overall concept for lighting the southern and western façades of the building,

and creating the artistic concepts for various dynamic light shows—some revealed during the 50th anniversary celebration event, and other light shows that are played on a daily basis at the university and on special occasions.

Using the colours of the university’s logo in different combinations and pacing, The Luminous Project tells the story of Capilano University—its history and brand essence— through the power of light.

The Stack

Can lighting play a key role in promoting the sustainable design?

LOCATION:

Vancouver, BC, Canada

CLIENT: Oxford Properties

DESIGN ARCHITECT: James Cheng

ARCHITECT ON RECORD: Adamson Associates COMPLETION:

SERVICES

The 37-story office tower is North America’s first zerocarbon high-rise commercial building, boasting a unique design of four offset stacked boxes that create a twisting form atop a podium. A V-shaped column supports the cantilevered upper floors, while a black metal veil adds texture to the façade. At ground level, a pocket park with a large-scale art installation offers a green retreat.

The lighting design enhances the building’s architectural presence while minimizing glare, light pollution, and excessive illumination. It creates a balanced and dynamic atmosphere by embracing darkness and contrast, highlighting key features like the V-column and veil. Uplights with glare control accentuate the column’s base, while a linear grazer illuminates its upper section. The warm glow from the interior extends through the glass curtain wall, subtly highlighting exterior elements.

In the pocket park, lighting highlights trees and casts shadows across cantilevered soffits, blending nature with architecture. A lit stormwater runnel guides visitors to the art installation, transforming the park into an urban retreat.

A DALI-based control system adjusts lighting scenes throughout the day, complying with dark sky policies and energy conservation by turning off uplights after 10 p.m.

This high-performance building, located in downtown Vancouver, integrates sustainability and aesthetics, transforming the exterior into a vibrant public space. It serves as a dynamic symbol of innovation and urban vitality, energizing the city and inviting all who encounter it.

The Stack

Can lighting transform interior moods while supporting energy efficiency?

LOCATION: Vancouver, BC, Canada

CLIENT: Oxford Properties

DESIGN ARCHITECT: James Cheng

ARCHITECT ON RECORD: Adamson Associates

INTERIOR DESIGNER: SSDG

COMPLETION:

SERVICES PROVIDED:

The interior lighting design for this 37-story office tower complements its exterior while integrating seamlessly with its modern architecture and the surrounding urban context. The lighting enhances the three-story lobby and interconnected floors, creating a clear spatial hierarchy that guides visitors intuitively.

The interior lighting concept is cohesive yet distinctive, giving each space its own unique character while highlighting luxurious materials like warm wood ceilings, marble finishes, and playful artwork. Inspired by theatrical design, the lighting employs a layered approach—incorporating top, side, and backlighting, as well as techniques such as downlighting, uplighting, wall grazing, and wall washing. This creates dynamic spaces by sculpting shadows, making a striking impact in areas like the elevator lobbies and the three-story woven cord art installation.

Subtle downlighting provides a soft glow that highlights the wood ceiling, while luminaire layouts prioritize symmetry and balance. Discreet linear ceiling troughs integrate lighting elements, ensuring a refined, unobtrusive aesthetic. Many luminaires are seamlessly incorporated into architectural details for visual comfort.

The building’s glass curtain wall offers stunning views of the outdoors, and the lighting highlights key exterior features like trees and V-columns, creating a layered backdrop that connects interior and exterior spaces. The DALIbased control system adjusts pre-programmed lighting scenes throughout the day, enhancing the user experience. The illuminated interiors contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of downtown Vancouver’s public commercial spaces.

PHOTO CREDIT: ANDREW LATREILLE

Can light support human health and wellness?

The design team sought to carefully balance the application of the principles of healthy building design to create a collaborative, dynamic, and sophisticated work environment.

The project incorporates more than 100 wellness features. Active design strategies to promote physical activity include an iconic staircase that interconnects the four adjoining floors. A living tree featured on each floor adds a biophilic element to nurture the innate humannature connection. Elements of beauty incorporated throughout include the café’s unique wood ceiling designed as an inverted topographic map of Vancouver that adds warmth and celebrates local culture and place.

The project integrates a

variety of individual, team, and social spaces across the four inter-connected floors.

Spaces are flooded with natural light with electric light carefully integrated into architectural elements such as stairs and coves ensuring a strong occupant connection to the breathtaking views.

The living tree at the centre of each floorplate is supported with carefully designed and concealed grow lighting to ensure even growth and flourishing.

The project is LEED Gold registered and was the first WELL certified workplace for new and existing interiors.

TELUS Garden

Can lighting be sustainable?

LOCATION:

Vancouver, BC, Canada

CLIENT: Westbank

ARCHITECT:

Henrique Partners Architects

COMPLETION:

2015 office; 2017 residential

AREA:

930,000 ft² (480,000 ft² office, 450,000 ft² residential)

SUSTAINABILITY:

LEED Platinum (office)

LEED Gold (residential)

SERVICES PROVIDED:

Mechanical

Electrical

Plumbing

Energy Modeling

District Energy System Design

Sustainability Consulting

Lighting Design

TELUS Garden revolutionizes the Vancouver skyline with two new towers in the heart of downtown. This $750-million redevelopment project involves designing and constructing a new 44-story residential tower and a 22-story office tower.

The 480,000 ft² office tower was completed in September 2015 and is the first LEED Platinum office building in Vancouver. It houses the company’s new headquarters as well as other offices, a restaurant, and a public plaza, while the 450,000 ft² residential building will include market housing, retail units, and underground parking.

Introba provided mechanical, electrical, energy modeling, and LEED consulting engineering services to guide this project towards achieving its sustainable goals. With Introba’s team approach, the target was set at 35% below ASHRAE 90.1 2007 energy efficiency requirement (or base case). Through the integrated design approach, the design and energy model came in at 3,296,171 kW hrs/yr and 43% below the energy efficiency standard.

At the most fundamental level, Telus Garden is a Smart Building that delivers valuable building services—such as illumination, thermal comfort, and air quality— for its 2000 occupants to be productive and comfortable at the lowest cost and environmental impact over the life cycle of the building. Reaching this vision requires adding intelligence from the beginning of the building’s design to the end of the building’s useful life. To do this, Introba designed TELUS Garden to use information technology during operation to connect a variety of subsystems, which typically operate independently, so that these systems can share information to optimize total building performance.

This civic icon of sustainability features a central plant with high-efficiency heat pumps and waste heat recovery from the TELUS Data Centre, radiant heating and cooling, demand-controlled ventilation, and LED lighting.

Google | 1212 Bordeaux

Can an office space be lit entirely by daylight in all sky conditions?

As Google’s first completed groundup development pilot, 1212 Bordeaux was designed to be a model for future team-first development by Google, centered on focus and flexibility, enabled by beauty, simplicity, and minimized distractions. Aspirational IEQ and user experience requirements shaped the project into a full scale mock-up, testing strategies and technologies for wider application across the organization’s real estate ventures.

The office layout is organized as cascading zones of focus, ranging from quiet conference rooms and private phone booths, to library-like open offices, to active and lively game spaces, kitchenettes, and other amenities. The triple-height space is capped with a sawtooth roof with integrated clerestory windows. The main work area on the second floor is rimmed with glasswall meeting rooms on the perimeter, allowing for ample daylight to pass to the spaces beyond.

IntrobaLight Studio provided

integrated facade design and daylighting analysis with an ultimate goal of all open offices to be lit entirely by daylight, regardless of sky condition. By providing simulations and consulting, we assisted with decisions that optimized the building skin and aperture design to maximize diffuse, glare-free daylight.

In addition to consulting services, Google partnered with Introba to scope novel design handoff oversight services, providing opportunities to validate design phase modeling and simulation results with the final built reality, and also to test, tune, and ensure proper functionality of automated elements in the building skin.

Offices at 880 Maude

LinkedIn Offices at 880 Maude

Can daylighting create the feel of a natural environment in an interior space?

LinkedIn wanted their new office to be both beautiful and energy efficient. A large, vaulted atrium in the building’s center is filled with trees and plants, providing a biophilic space for casual meetings and shared meals.

Introba’s daylighting and lighting team incorporated 20 skylights throughout the building. Because lighting comprises a significant portion of an office building’s energy needs, daylighting is an easy way to reduce LinkedIn’s energy usage. Automatic controls turn off the electric lights when natural daylight is sufficient, and 17 ‘smart fans’ move air around the office as needed.

In an effort to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of this 1970’s concrete building, the renovation included the installation of a photovoltaic (PV) array on the roof to offset the building’s energy needs, and plug loads are kept down by an automatic controls system that turns off the power to certain outlets when the space is vacated. An interactive energy dashboard in the lobby displays real-time energy use by the different systems in the building, broken down by the hour.

Historic Facade | 1031 S Broadway

How can lighting promote history?

The 12-story commercial office, designed by Allison Architects in 1925, showcases Italian Renaissance architecture, featuring a prominent loggia, ornamental finishes, and fire escapes. The facade blends terracotta and bricks, with a striking 11thfloor green copper element accentuating the loggia.

Given the proximity to downtown Los Angeles with brightly lit buildings, Introba Light Studio created a subtle yet recognizable lighting concept. Numerous renderings and lighting calculations based on in-house computerized 3D models of the original hand drawings were assessed, and onsite mock-ups were tested to verify an accurate design.

The approach aimed for a delicate balance between illuminating horizontal elements and accentuating vertical features that grounded the building and accentuated its height, creating a captivating visual impact.

Specific attention was paid to the loggia where linear lights with extremely narrow

optics ensure illumination of the interior face of the arches and highlight the roof ornament without light spill on the façade. Mixing 3000K for the terracotta and 5000K for the copper distinguishes the loggia and accentuates its sculptural character.

Despite budget constraints, careful luminaire selection was vital due to limited placement options and maintenance without scaffolding. Given the necessity for dimming all luminaires to achieve balanced illumination, and considering the restricted installation space with limited drilling for separate lighting control lines, a dedicated lighting control system was chosen to digitally dim the luminaires over a powerline.

The outcome reflects a simple concept that pushed the design team to their limits, crafting a viable solution that activates the pedestrian and skyline views, breathing new life into this iconic facade.

Century City Presentation Centre

Can lighting create an inviting atmosphere that draws people to a new space?

Century City is an upcoming mixed-use development, located along 98A Avenue and King George Boulevard, which borders the Surrey City Centre’s urban park, Holland Park. This project features two residential condominium towers, one residential rental tower, and an office tower, promoting the co-existence of nature and community.

To mirror the development’s concept, uniquely designed as a greenhouse that aligns with this vision of displaying an immersive connection between the indoors and outdoors.

Introba Light Studio designed the presentation center, emphasizing responsible lighting design for energy efficiency and avoidance of light pollution while ensuring the lighting is welcoming and inviting. Their approach seamlessly balanced aesthetic and functional requirements while aligning with budgetary constraints, resulting in an iconic glowing element in the night landscape.

369 Grand

Can lighting create a preceived illusion different from the purpose of the space?

LOCATION: Chicago, IL, USA CLIENT:

SERVICES PROVIDED:

2023 LIT Lighting Design Awards for LED Exterior Lighting Design, Honorable Mention

The 41-storey high-end residential building located in the River North Neighbourhood of Chicago posed a unique design challenge due to its integration of a surface parkade into a neighborhood known for its upscale art galleries and lively nightlife.

Introba Light Studio, tasked with the lighting design, played a crucial role in ensuring the seamless transition of the podium’s appearance from parking to residential units after dark, preserving the neighborhood’s character while enhancing the building’s visual appeal and functionality.

Integrating the parkade’s facade into the urban fabric without compromising the neighborhood’s ambiance required innovative solutions.

Introba’s approach involved creating a perceived lighting illusion that transformed

the podium’s exterior, mimicking the appearance of occupied residential units.

By strategically backlighting curtain walls on each floor with varying light intensities and color temperatures, and installing linear LED wall grazers at interior window heads, Introba effectively simulated residential occupancy while also providing necessary illumination for the parking stalls. This meticulous attention to detail, combined with automated controls to minimize light pollution and ensure energy efficiency, resulted in an authentic illusion of residential presence within the parkade, seamlessly blending functionality with aesthetics.

Vancouver Fire Hall 17

Can innovative lighting design enhance safety and well-being of users?

LOCATION: Vancouver, BC, Canada

CLIENT: City of Vancouver

16,200 ft² COMPLETION: 2022

SERVICES PROVIDED: Lighting Design Mechanical Engineering

Engineering Technology Energy Modeling

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:

2024 IES Illumination Award for Indoor Lighting Design, Award of Merit

2024 IES Illumination Award for Lighting Control Innovation, Award of Merit

This facility, Canada’s first Passive House and Zero Carbon Building fire hall, achieved LEED Gold and Net-Zero Energy design standards. It serves as both an emergency response center and training facility, designed for rapid adaptability to distress calls, ensuring staff alertness and task precision.

Lighting is crucial in enhancing safety and efficiency. It caters to firefighters’ needs, supporting focus, alertness, and comfort in social spaces. The design prioritizes firefighters’ circadian rhythms, using natural light and adaptable solutions like electrochromic glass to optimize health and energy use.

Communal spaces feature layered lighting for warmth and tranquility, swiftly adjusting to emergency response settings for maximum visibility. Apparatus bays are illuminated uniformly for detailed vehicle maintenance, while dormitories offer personalized lighting controls for optimal comfort and sleep.

In kitchens and other communal areas, the interplay of lighting layers that creates multiple scenes and dynamic atmosphere, enhances safety and wellbeing of the firefighters. This holistic approach underscores the fire hall’s innovative design, balancing operational efficiency with firefighter welfare in a cutting-edge, environmentally conscious facility that reflects commitment to sustainability.

Science World Revitalization

Can lighting spark curiosity and inspire engagement in the heart of the city?

LOCATION: Vancouver, BC, Canada CLIENT:

Introba was commissioned to provide conceptual designs for the revitalization of Science World as part of a grant application, aimed at enhancing the dome’s visual appeal and functionality. The design honors the existing heritage exterior lighting, building on the original concept of lights that face outward to evoke nostalgia, while introducing light directed toward the dome’s skin to create a three-dimensional effect. This strategy offers a more engaging and dynamic visual experience.

The inner luminaires are controlled separately from the outer ones, allowing them to form shapes and patterns for different occasions, making the dome a more vibrant and energetic landmark in Vancouver. By utilizing a single fixture type with variable lens selection, placed in strategic locations, the layout ensures easy maintenance and management.

The system integrates direct,

indirect, and accent lighting, providing a dynamic and evolving visual experience.

Designed to foster community engagement, the system also allows for a representation of the city’s values and concerns through light.

With both inner and outer luminaires controllable via DMX, the system offers a wide range of effects and color possibilities. This flexibility enables captivating light motions, such as sunsets or celestial movements, further enhancing Science World as a dynamic and iconic feature of Vancouver’s skyline.

AbCellera Biotech Office

Can innovative lighting design elevate collaborative workspaces?

This new multi-storey lab and office facility was designed on an accelerated schedule and modest budget for a client seeking a simple yet functional space that reflects their rapid growth and supports a collaborative workforce in the fast-evolving technology sector. The design fosters creativity and productivity while maintaining an inviting atmosphere.

Key architectural elements emerged early in the process, including a distinctive torqued wood ceiling in the doubleheight kitchen and gathering area. Discreet low-voltage track lighting was integrated along the angled beams, creating a strong visual impact while providing essential illumination for events. This integration emphasizes both functionality and aesthetics.

Careful planning ensured that driver locations and conduit runs were hidden from view, maintaining a clean aesthetic throughout the facility. Dimming and scene selection features optimize daylight usage, supporting

various functions and adapting to the dynamic needs of the workforce.

A custom ‘Y-shaped’ luminaire was developed to complement the suspended acoustic ceiling, incorporating design elements inspired by the client’s identity. This enhances the space’s character while ensuring uniform lighting levels for work activities in open office areas.

Dynamic pendant fixtures add graphic illumination to collaboration spaces, while smaller focus areas on nonlab floors are designed for quiet work and small group interactions, using a mix of accent and linear lighting to define circulation paths.

Discreet downlighting provides functional light and serves as a neutral backdrop for sculptural decorative fixtures, enhancing the overall design. This facility embodies a forwardthinking vision, positioning the client for continued success and innovation in a rapidly changing industry.

Light Studio Leadership

Every project is unique, and we believe in designing to that same philosophy.

We endeavour to surpass our design brief and elevate the approach to lighting design while also being mindful of deadlines and budgets to ensure each project’s success.

With equal importance, we design lighting to focus on the architecture, interior design, and end users’ needs. While creating a space, its lighting provides the initial impact. Then it is the end users who experience the space, create memories of it, and desire to return to it, giving a project longterm success.

Ellie Niakan Principal - Head of Lighting Design

Internationally recognized for her award-winning lighting design, Principal Ellie brings over 16 years of experience to Introba, where she leads Introba Light Studio in Canada. Through her passion and creativity, Ellie harnesses the power of light to create expressive designs that blend aesthetics and function. Ellie is the first in Canada to have earned the International Lighting Designer certification.

Sean Casey Senior Associate

Trained in Interior Design, Sean has specialized in architectural lighting and daylight design since 2012 and received his Master of Lighting Design from Parsons School of Design in New York, USA. Sean blends a passion for conceptual design with powerful visualization and graphic skills and outstanding construction documentation, detailing, and presentation skills.

Esposito Associate Principal

Mike is an environmental designer and building performance analyst passionate about shaping a more sustainable built environment. He develops analysis tools and processes to conceptualize, analyze, and detail climate-responsive building design strategies that optimize daylight, maximize comfort, and conserve environmental resources.

Mike