Lightemotion Lights Up 180 Wellington, Ottawa

180 Wellington Ottawa

 2017-06-26 

Lightemotion announces the completion of the lighting design for 180 Wellington, one of the first illumination projects to be executed within the Master Plan for the Parliamentary Precinct. 180 Wellington represents a unique expression of Beaux-Arts design, enhanced with a lighting design plan which not only brings the subtlety of its grand architecture to light, but also sets a tone for the luminous environment in the capital region at night. 

Francois Roupinian, Founder of Lightemotion, states that “180 Wellington is an important lighting design project as it reflects the prescription that we have created in the master plan and demonstrates the possibility of what the capital aspires to portray, while respecting the historical character of this classic building.”

“We employed a theatrical approach to lighting with very detailed control systems to avoid flooding the building with light. Delicate beautiful accents on key architectural features preserve the historic integrity of its architecture while maintaining a cohesive luminous environment with the neighbouring buildings.” 

At the heart of the design, is an elaborate Dali lighting control system which allows each fixture to be individually controlled. Lighting levels can be specifically tailored to each area of the building depending on the nature of the architectural features and reflectivity of the surfaces. “This allows us to create stunning illumination that can be programmed to include different nuances and contrasts across the various façades of the building.”

Lightemotion employed state of the Art LED technology and 3000k color temperature for all fixtures giving a beautiful natural glow on the façade without altering the tonality of the natural stone. The lighting features become a paintbrush, bringing this historic landmark to prominence without denaturing the building to create a timeless, lasting design. 

The approach is design-driven – far and beyond simple photometrics, mock-ups allow lighting fixtures to be positioned to achieve the best lighting direction ensuring that the different elements of the building are properly featured and are also critical in identifying colour temperatures to achieve desired effects. In addition, the designers elected to work with grazers and carefully positioned the lighting fixtures in relation to the stone façade.

The finishing touch 

Lightemotion established seamless integration of the lighting fixtures on the façade by creating light caches –  fixtures are not visible and no glare effects are present to the public from any angle of the building. 

Photo credit: Gordon King Photography

 

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • Mac’s II Agencies: Case Study – Tesoro, Vancouver, BC

    Mac’s II Agencies: Case Study – Tesoro, Vancouver, BC

    At the crest of False Creek, Tesoro stands as a contemporary interpretation of classic luxury, offering 92 exclusive waterfront homes in the heart of Vancouver. Developed by Concert Properties, this 17-story residential tower embraces a distinctly modern character, harmonizing sleek design with timeless sophistication. The vision for Tesoro extended beyond its architectural presence—it was about… Read More…

  • LightForm: Estiluz – Versatile Solutions for Sophisticated Spaces

    LightForm: Estiluz – Versatile Solutions for Sophisticated Spaces

    For anyone seeking high-performance lighting that blends elegance with engineering, Estiluz offers an exceptional range of solutions. This Spanish brand, family-owned since 1969, creates lighting that balances form, function, and flexibility, making it ideal for both bold architectural statements and subtle design enhancements. At LightForm, they are proud to be the exclusive Canadian distributor of… Read More…


New Products

  • Cyclone Lighting Introduces New Taji Luminaire

    Cyclone Lighting Introduces New Taji Luminaire

    Cyclone Lighting is excited to announce the release of its new Taji luminaire. Taji’s captivating design features high-performance optics and enhances a variety of aesthetics. Taji’s distinctive, stylish silhouette and slender lines are a refreshing departure from the ubiquitous dome luminaire. The unique flared form maintains a slender, minimalist feel yet provides high-performance optics. The… Read More…

  • Leviton Releases New Decora Smart Wi-Fi 0-10V Dimmer for Home & Small Business Lighting Control

    Leviton Releases New Decora Smart Wi-Fi 0-10V Dimmer for Home & Small Business Lighting Control

    Leviton has announced the launch of the Decora Smart Wi-Fi 0-10V Dimmer (D2710), expanding its comprehensive Wi-Fi lighting and load control solutions that work with the My Leviton app. As the first Matter-compatible 0-10V smart dimmer, the new 120V/277V device makes it easy to add 0-10V dimming to smart platforms such as Apple Home, Amazon… Read More…