IES Award of Merit: Samuel De Champlain Bridge
June 21, 2021
Spanning more than 3 km across the St. Lawrence River, this dramatic bridge has become a modern symbol of the thriving city of Montreal. As part of the design-build team, HLB spent more than 5 years developing a dynamic lighting design utilizing 7000+ luminaires in more than 45 universes of DMX control. Lighting designers worked closely with the structural engineering team to develop, refine, and execute the complex system that carries light along the structure’s entire length and up the inner faces of the cable-stay tower.
“One of the joys of our profession is the ability to have an impact on a city or community through light. Champlain Bridge serves as a symbol of pride for the City of Montreal, both day and night,” commented Ken Douglas or HLB Lighting Design.
Environmental impact played a central role, as seasonal bird migration in the area presented a challenge. Designers developed a custom dynamic scene based on studies that showed how blue and green hues are the least distracting wavelengths to migrating birds. A cylinder of calculation points helped minimize the light reflected off tower surfaces out into the environment.
With lighting content that celebrates the country of Canada, the Province of Quebec, and the diverse city of Montreal, the bridge’s lighting system is a meaningful reflection of this vibrant community. This central cultural role was rapidly confirmed when a rainbow of colors showed support and appreciation for essential workers during the COVID-19 outbreak.
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BRIDGE ENGINEER T.Y.
Lin International Group: Marwan Nader
ARCHITECT
Donald MacDonald Architects: Donald MacDonald
INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEER
Systra IBT: Zachary McGain
SNC Lavalin: Sevak Demirdjian
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER
Signature on the Saint Lawrence Construction: Richard Munday
PROJECT & CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
Signature on the Saint Lawrence Group: Jeffrey Plant
OWNER’S RFP DEVELOPMENT TEAM: DESIGN ARCHITECT
Dissing+Weitling
ENGINEER
Arup
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Ombrages
OWNER
Infrastructure Canada: Guy Mailhot
PHOTOGRAPHY
Feinknopf Photography
HLB Lighting Design
