The Leaf at Assiniboine Park Conservancy: Case Study from Salex

April 13, 2023

The Leaf: Project Details

Architect:  Architecture49, Corbett Architecture, KPMB Architects
Lighting Design/Specifier: Mulvey & Banani Lighting
Manufacturers:  Anomet, Stanley Lighting, VISO

The Leaf is an indoor horticultural attraction at Assiniboine Park Conservancy in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Visitors get to experience four distinct biomes; the Hartley and Heather Richardson Tropical Biome, Mediterranean Biome, Babs Asper Display House, and the Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden.

Hartley and Heather Richardson Tropical Biome

Salex was honoured to work on the lighting design with Mulvey & Banani Lighting. There were some unique challenges faced through this project. The Stanley LED Lighting product chosen had  an ultra-narrow 2.5 degree beam luminaire, one white light that produced 736,000 cd center luminosity and the other an RGB luminaire that produced 311,000 cd center luminosity. The light was directed to a specially selected reflective surface to produce predictable lighting without an IES file. To achieve this outcome, our team mocked the condition in a warehouse and measured the lighting effects on a grid, providing enough data for an AGI program. 

Lighting Technology at The Leaf

After testing several reflective materials, the decision was made to use the Anolux-MIRO® Scattergloss by Anomet. The Anolux-MIRO® Scattergloss surface for the reflectors in the Assiniboine Leaf Biome provided soft, diffused total light reflection of 94%, with homogeneous and uniform reflected light without preferential direction and increased brightness at lower incident values, without glare. Selected for the scattergloss’ surface ability to provide soft and uniform illumination across a large area at a great distance, these reflectors help to showcase the natural beauty of the lush plant material.

The specular embossed Anolux® Hammertone surface of the reflectors in the Butterfly Garden provide bright diffused light reflection of 87%, with different angles of the embossed edges providing bright and diffused reflection simultaneously across the entire spectrum of light.  Selected for the hammertone’s ability to mimic the varying pattern of the sun, this surface enhances the wonders of the butterflies in their habitat. Viso Lighting manufactured the framework and assembled all the luminaires, LED drivers, and reflectors to insure an easy and seamless installation!

Mediterranean Biome
Babs Asper Display House
Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden
A Living Classroom

More information available here

Related Story

Liteline Celebrates Expansion of Territory – Salex SW New Representative in 2023

In an ongoing effort to provide our partners with the best quality product, service & support, we are excited to announce the territory expansion of Salex SW as our agent representing Liteline’s specification and project business in the London/Windsor Region of Southwestern Ontario. 

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • August 27, 2026 - Symmetry Lighting Announces David McCrone as Their New Commercial Sales Manager

    Symmetry Lighting Announces David McCrone as Their New Commercial Sales Manager

    Meet David McCrone, Symmetry Lighting’s new Commercial Sales Manager!⁠ David brings extensive leadership experience in the lighting and electrical industries. His combination of industry expertise and technical knowledge is a valuable asset as they continue to grow and enhance the support they provide to their customers and partners. They are very excited to have him… Read More…

  • August 26, 2026 - Ben Fischer & Andrew Parker Promoted at Salex

    Salex Announces Two New Leadership Updates

    Salex is excited to share two important leadership updates! Ben Fischer, Principal has been appointed Vice President Sales & Strategic Accounts, where he will lead Salex’s overall sales strategy, supporting continued growth across their markets while strengthening their sales teams, key accounts, and manufacturer partnerships. Andrew Parker P.Eng., Principal has been appointed Vice President Technical… Read More…


Design

  • Canada Light Expo: Architectural Lighting Trends Transforming Modern Buildings

    Canada Light Expo: Architectural Lighting Trends Transforming Modern Buildings

    Modern buildings are not just about how they’re built or what they are made of anymore. Lighting is a part of how a building works, and it makes people feel. This is true for offices, hotels, stores, hospitals, homes, and public buildings. The way a building is lit can affect how comfortable it is to… Read More…

  • Lumenpulse: Ethernet as a Backbone for Lighting

    Lumenpulse: Ethernet as a Backbone for Lighting

    Ethernet is a high performance and reliable networking technology that has been making inroads into architectural LED lighting applications. Having undergone decades of research and development as a workhorse of the IT industry, Ethernet brings a refined pedigree to a lighting industry which is trending toward highly intelligent light fixtures and services. This article highlights… Read More…


New Products

  • SATCO|NUVO: STARFISH SMART Color Changing Bulbs – Multiple Shapes & Bases

    SATCO|NUVO: STARFISH SMART Color Changing Bulbs – Multiple Shapes & Bases

    SATCO|NUVO’s STARFISH SMART Technology Color Changing Light Bulbs feature an eye-catching RGBTW decorative ribbon filament that is beautifully showcased through the clear glass bulb. Available in A19, T9, T10, T14, ST19, and B11 bulb types with both medium E26 and a candelabra E12 base, these bulbs offer flexibility for a range of fixtures. With tunable… Read More…

  • Stanpro: CIRKA DECO – 5 CCT Selectable Slim LED Ceiling Luminaire

    Stanpro: CIRKA DECO – 5 CCT Selectable Slim LED Ceiling Luminaire

    Stanpro’s CIRKA DECO is a perfect blend of modern simplicity and versatility. Offered in a slim profile, CIRKA DECO offers the advantage of an integrated 5 color temperature selection and can be installed as is or transformed using one of the compatible trims (flat and decorative trims) or mounting accessories (cylinders and decorative pendants). CIRKA… Read More…