SeaChange Receives 2021 Lighting Control Innovation Award of Merit

1 SeaChange 807.001 cp

October 26, 2022

By Lighting Controls Association

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 in nonresidential applications.

This month, LCA explores a lighting control solution installed at SeaChange, a light art installation in a vehicular underpass in Lonsdale Quay, North Vancouver, BC. Lighting control design by Janelle Drouet. Photography by Nic Lehoux. Lighting controls by ETC and Eaton.

 

2 SeaChange 807.005 cp

Overlaying colors of light create varied colors, hues and patterns of ‘brush strokes’ that create a canvas feel softening the Brutalist concrete wall.

SeaChange celebrates North Vancouver’s connection to the waterfront by marking the location of the historic tide line and by serving a symbolical reminder of the importance of water to humanity. The artwork mimics the ephemeral and magical feeling of being immersed within a body of water, as if light was penetrating an undersea world through water ripples above the tunnel. This watery effect is created using a series of LED lights mounted near the wall to aim at textured mirrored panels that reflect light patterns back onto the surfaces and walkway of the tunnel. When the tunnel is unoccupied the artwork creates a gentle shifting light effect, however when a pedestrian or cyclist enters the underpass, a dynamic ripple is triggered across the wall in front of them.

The challenge began with finding solutions for the dark and menacing underpass, with challenges of a harsh exterior environment with adjacency to well-traveled roadways, small public budget, and need for durable solutions. In addition, there were limitations to the available mounting positions and solutions needed to address the limited maintenance plan available, durability to failures, vibration or small roadway debris. The innovative solution was to find standard equipment and materials and utilize them in a unique way while activating the space.

 

3 SeaChange 807.013

Consideration of visual comfort, minimizing direct view to sources, was achieved by reflecting light to create comfortable pools of illumination to wash the walls.

The team explored reflecting light on of various materials as a gentle reference to the organic refraction of light through water. This was achieved by light reflecting off of bumpy and textured stainless steel mirror, illuminating the adjacent wall and spilling into the ceiling above in curved wave-like patterns. Exterior color changing luminaires were selected, with a multi-diode array, to allow for additional texture in the effects. Occupancy sensors trigger individual ripples of colors for pedestrians and cyclists, while scenes sit in a lower energy use “resting state” during less active times.

 

4 SeaChange 807.016

Luminaires were modified to eliminate the red diodes to enhance the green, blue and white effects in the water-esque palette.

 

5 SeaChange 807.010

Short throw proximity sensors purposefully activate the scene, to free the light to ripple and move with the pedestrians and cyclists.

 

6 SeaChange 807.009

Careful modelling, analysis, mock-ups and testing informed the spacing and optic distribution and beam sharpening accessory selection to create soft overlapping layers.

 

7 SeaChange 807.002

Responsive to human movement, various specialty short throw exterior occupancy sensors generate different looks highlighting path of travel via a simple DMX show controller.

 

8 SeaChange 807.017

Various lighting experiments. carried out by all members of the team, determined the material to reflect the light achieving the broadest organic patterns and textures.

Source

 

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

  • The Residential Contractor’s Guide to Layering Light

    The Residential Contractor’s Guide to Layering Light

    Too often, lighting plans default to the basics: a central ceiling fixture here, a few recessed cans there. Functional? Sure. But memorable? Not even close. That’s where knowing how to layer light comes in — a deceptively simple design principle that adds depth, mood, and polish to every space. With a few strategic choices, you… Read More…

  • 60-Watt vs 100-Watt Light Bulbs: Brightness & Wattage

    60-Watt vs 100-Watt Light Bulbs: Brightness & Wattage

    With the widespread use of LED light bulbs, the replacement and upgrade of different light bulbs have also made the concept of “equivalent wattage” more and more discussed. When comparing 60-watt vs 100-watt bulb, the wattage and brightness are the factors that need to be figured out first. Wattage is used to measure the energy consumption while many… Read More…


New Products