Alula Lighting Design: Innovative Lighting Design Consultants
September 26, 2017
Alula Lighting Design provides lighting design consultancy services around the world with offices in Toronto, Western Canada and the Middle East. Alula is a specialized lighting group with a focus on offering clients a complete and integrated building system design that meets their vision for the built environment.
Alula works at all stages of the design process from the initial concept design through to the final documentation and verification phases. Their services include Comprehensive lighting design, interior lighting design, exterior lighting design and site-specific installation, lighting retrofit, feasibility studies, peer review and daylighting.
Part of the global thinking of Alula resides in their team of professionals that boast an impressive catalogue of international lighting design projects. The diversity has allowed Alula to adapt to unique markets and the changing business environment, regardless of geographic location.
Their team also strongly believes in a collaborative process that results in lighting solutions that are functional, visually pleasing and integral to the architecture. Alula maintains sensitivity to budget, schedule and sustainability requirements and ensure all designs take into consideration the latest trends, technology and illumination methods.
A number of their projects can be seen in the Toronto area as their branch on Gordon Baker Road has been involved in numerous local projects that have been spearheaded by Rebecca Ho-Dion, Alula’s Lighting Design Director. Rebecca has a master’s degree in Architectural Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and hosts and impressive international portfolio that includes high-end retail, commercial, institutional, residential and healthcare projects. Some of her most notable projects are the Ryerson University Student Learning Centre, Walt Disney Family Museum (San Francisco), Gucci Fifth Avenue (New York), Chanel Place Vendome (Paris) and the City garden (St. Louis).
One of Alula’s most prominent projects is the Parkside Student Residence, an open residence that houses students from Ryerson University, U of T, George Brown College and other centrally located educational institutions.
The residence is a former 23 storey hotel that dates back to the 1970’s and required substantial upgrades. Working alongside developer Knightstone Capitol Management and Diamond Schmitt Architects Alula focused on designing lighting that was functional and comforting for students.
“It is an honour to have worked on this exciting conversion, utilising light to embody the transformation at Parkside,” said Rebecca Ho-Dion. “We worked closely with the design team to maintain a delicate balance of sophistication and playful whimsy to brighten students’ day to day, offer student utility, and showcase the architectural renewal.”
Earlier this Spring Alula was recognized for their work on the project by receiving the Guth Interior Lighting Illumination Award at the Illumination Engineering Society (IES) Toronto Section Awards. The award is granted by the IES in recognition of ‘exceptional interior lighting projects that balance the functional illumination of space with the artistic application of light to enhance the occupant’s experience’.
Alula has a record of award winning projects, having undertaken numerous projects that have received IES awards or recognition.
Alula provided architectural lighting design services for upgrades to the Adelaide Hotel in Toronto’s entertainment district. The project was extensive but a notable upgrade was the unique and architecturally pleasing lighting that was designed for the swimming pool area. Alula received an IED Award of Merit for the lighting in this area.
Alula also worked alongside Architects Luc Bouliane to improve the visual environment and increase energy efficiency at the Ajax Public Library. Although the library was only built in 2002 the facility was over lit and needed lighting upgrades to eliminate the harsh visual environment that had been impeding patrons and staff. “The new design was modelled using illumination software and developed to preserve the architectural integrity, project a visually continuous environment, minimize glare and reduce the original connected load by 33%.” They also received an IES Section Award and Award of Merit for lighting designs provided to the Fort York Library.
Alula further received recognition after providing lighting design for the Quinte Consolidated Courthouse, an approximately $247 million-dollar facility. For their designs at the courthouse Alula received an IES Section Award and Award of Merit.
Alula has also been involved in a variety of projects that are currently seeking LEED certification.
Some other notable projects Alula has provided lighting design for include the Samsung Experience Store, Rogers Communications Workplace Transformation, Bensimon Byrne creative agency, University of Toronto University College Revitalization, and Bay and Scollard residential development.
The success is attributed to the excellent design team at Alula and the consistent verbal and visual communication with stakeholders, a key part of the ensuring designs are seamlessly integrated and resonate throughout all aspects of the projects they undertake.
