The Lighting Control Innovation Award was created in 2011 as part of the Illuminating Engineering Society’s Illumination Awards program, which recognizes professionalism, ingenuity and originality in lighting design. LCA is proud to sponsor the Lighting Control Innovation Award, which recognizes projects that exemplify the effective use of lighting controls.
This month, we explore a powerful lighting control solution installed at the gaming company Kabam’s offices in Vancouver, BC. Lighting control design by AES. Photography by AES and Ema Peter Photography.
The task was to craft a bespoke, adaptable, and intuitive lighting control system for an expansive downtown office of a rapidly expanding mobile entertainment company. This endeavor faced challenges such as client requests for advanced features and coordination with multiple disciplines. For instance, accommodating essential features such as sprinklers, diffusers, power connections, and control devices within the metal radiant ceiling channels imposed constraints. Additionally, architectural elements like the intricate millwork on the stairs and feature wall of the atrium presented interesting design challenges.
AES’s approach involved collaborative engagement with the established visual language, culminating in the design of an inventive controls system aimed at fostering an immersive and memorable experience. From the circular downlights accentuating the perimeter, to the RGBW lighting that accent the seating area, stairs, ceiling, and feature wall, the lighting controls empower a wide spectrum of customizable scenes tailored to the tenant’s requirements. A variety of company events are imbued with atmosphere through pre-sets with smooth fade transitions, including color palettes inspired by the company’s flagship games.
AES’s solution boasts a control system that integrates seamlessly with the A/V, shade control, and base building lighting control system. Addressable drivers were discreetly housed beneath the stairs to maintain aesthetic coherence. Within the A/V control room, a user-friendly DMX control panel affords precise manipulation via sliders and prominently labelled buttons, facilitating the triggering of diverse lighting control scenes and chases. Moreover, control via mobile phone application enables a convenient alternative control of the track lighting.
The design seamlessly navigates the complexities inherent in the project’s scope, effectively addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by the architectural constraints and the tenant’s aspirations. By leveraging innovative controls, we achieved ASHRAE 90.1-2016 compliance and exceeded the intended design objectives, culminating in an exceptional lighting experience that elevates the office environment to new heights.
Atrium “party mode” chase featuring smoothly changing rainbow tape lighting and downlights that accent architectural features, with recessed linears turned off and perimeter downlights dimmed.
When triggered, this programmed scene smoothly transitions to showcase the tenant’s brand colours across the atrium’s stairs, feature walls and downlights.
Programmed scene designed to match the palate of game. Scenes can also open/close the shades, and the track lighting is adjustable via phone application.
Another programmable scene for one of the tenant’s successful mobile games. These scenes make meetings and presentations for their corresponding games more immersive and engaging.
Intuitive user programming enabled the client to create custom scenes and assign them to a button on the DMX console for quick and convenient activation.
Left pre-function space above the atrium stairs while in rainbow “party” chase mode. Extra DMX outlets enable ancillary wall grazer lighting seen in background.
The programmable scene that the tenant uses for team Q&A sessions. Warm lighting focuses on the seating areas.
The RGBW downlights and RGBW tape lighting recessed within the angled millwork, with side stair pathway controlled separately to provide safe wayfinding and egress.
Right pre-function space above the atrium stairs showcase individually controlled RGBW downlights throw pools of colour on the floor, giving a theatre-like atmosphere.
Daytime pre-set scene with comfortably illuminated tape lighting and recessed linears that accentuate the open atrium and wood-frame millwork.Perimeter downlights adjusted by daylight sensors.
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