Olympic Park

• Posted on 6 November 2023
• 0

Olympic Park

LumiGroup and Lemay brighten the heart of the Olympic Park

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Lemay + LumiGroup
Montreal, Canada
February 2024

The architectural and design firm Lemay and the lighting agency LumiGroup combined their expertise and transformed a partially under-exploited sector of the Montreal Olympic Park into a bright, warm, and dynamic work environment, thus continuing their long-term history of working together on major projects. The mandate was to set up offices which would bring together all the administrative and logistical departments of the Olympic Park in a single location to speed up decision-making.

State of play

Following the first visits and volumetric studies of the premises to be redeveloped (a vast elliptical space extending in length under the esplanade of the Olympic Stadium, bordered by a curtain wall on avenue Pierre de Coubertin) several observations were noted, observations which subsequently guided the design team throughout the project.

“At first glance, it was obvious that lighting would play a crucial role in the success of this project; the design of radial lighting emphasized the architecture of the place and its lighting. LumiGroup was a key player in realizing the lighting concept,” explains Ramzi Bosha, from Lemay. The location of the future offices, set back several meters below the esplanade, was deprived of natural light, despite abundant windows. The place was dark, and we didn't feel the true ceiling height. On the other hand, the direct view of the street was interesting from a community perspective and the existing and unique architecture was inspiring. The architects decided to capitalize on these assets by organically connecting the interior and exterior and basing their layout on the important presence of the spoke structure connecting the curtain wall to the interior of the building to set the scene, enhance and illuminate it.

From one area to another

The reception area includes enclosed glass meeting rooms, a hidden coatroom, and screens. If necessary, some white painted glass walls can be used as a blackboard during events or meetings. The original concrete floor was restored and then repolished. On some walls, wooden slats warm the space. Here you can also rediscover refurbished Lotus chairs, designed for Artopex by Paul Boulva in anticipation of the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. Overhanging recessed and suspended lighting evokes speed and movement. 

“Designing partly recessed, partly suspended, lighting fixtures is a fantastic idea, but very complex to achieve because it involves the coordination of several trades and requires extreme precision,” adds Thomas-Martin Girard, from LumiGroup. 

The main space has been separated into zones, each housing a distinct sector of activity — financial and legal services, human resources, construction, etc. — and to which we have assigned one of the colors of the Park’s brand image, corresponding to those of the Olympic rings. The passage points between these areas have been completely painted – floor, walls, ceiling – and are lit by tone-on-tone LED strips. When we enter a new area, we cross its colorful entrance, and we absorb its vibration, its energy; once inside the zone, the space regains a neutrality conducive to concentration. The colors call for movement — from one to the other, they invite the user to move on to the next area.

Along the curtain wall, the spaces are open and more convivial. They promote collaboration, teamwork, and interactive activities. The further you move away from the windows, the more intimate and cozy the areas become, welcoming closed spaces, acoustic booths, semi-closed collaboration corners. Even in more private workspaces, the client wanted to open the space as much as possible, which in return required appropriate acoustic treatment. We therefore installed a whole network of felt slats high up, into which the shelf lighting was to be integrated. In the cafeteria, the same fixtures had to be integrated into the reflective white stretched canvas ceiling — another major challenge

At the ends of the main area, the walls have been entirely covered in mirrors, creating the illusion of an infinitely expanded space. The effect is reminiscent of the project's signature lighting fixtures which are reflected on the windows of the curtain wall, giving the impression of flowing outwards from the space.

Lighting with a strong personality

One of the architects' fundamental ideas for this project was to translate the passionate work of the people of the Olympic Park out into the community, and the site itself featured a spoke structure. In partnership with LumiGroup, they were able to design lighting fixtures with a strong presence that multiplied throughout the space and unfolded as if in a wide beam.

Starting from the interior of the building and stretching in a straight line to the curtain wall, the new lighting fixture in the main area merges with the existing organic structure, emphasizing and reinforcing its lines and form. From the outside, the lines of light catch passers-by, drawing their gaze inward.

“The project itself included unusual technical constraints linked to the concrete site, which moves according to temperature variations, particularly in winter, with the cold. Resilient devices were needed, especially near the curtain wall. We had to develop a model of attachments allowing movement of a few centimeters. It was also necessary to design lighting fixtures that were partly recessed, partly suspended; a fantastic idea, but very complex to realize because it involves the coordination of several trades and requires extreme precision,” explains Thomas-Martin Girard, lighting advisor and partner at LumiGroup.

To realize the vision of the team of architects, while respecting budgetary constraints, it was necessary to come up with innovative solutions. For example, all the old reusable lighting fixtures were integrated into closed spaces, less in view, reducing costs and waste, which made it possible to go further with the busier open spaces. It was necessary to convince a manufacturer to modify its existing devices to make a “more or less tailor-made” version — a challenge that the LumiGroup team was able to meet.

“The people at LumiGroup are creative, meticulous, and not afraid to think outside the box. In working together, we can be very creative, because they can look at things differently. They are great collaborators to succeed with bold ideas,” concludes Nadine Chartouni.

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Technical sheet
Project name: Parc olympique
Architecture: Lemay
Designer / Architect: Nadine Chartouni, Ramzi Bosha
Project managers: Audrey Lafrance, Marc-André Lemaire Perreault
Production team: Alejandro Mendoza, Éric Reyes Cano, France Lavigne
Site manager: Steve Lesieur
Lighting design collaborator: LumiGroup
Featured lighting products: Luxka, Edison, Absolux, Lightheaded, Elemental LED, Quattrobi
Photos: Claude-Simon Langlois

About Lemay

Lemay has been creating spaces that bring people together and contribute to their well-being since 1957. Its team of over 400 architects, designers and change-makers works tirelessly to foster innovation in their own environments and in communities around the world.

Drawing on the synergy of its transdisciplinary talents, the firm has also developed the NET POSITIFMC approach, which guides its teams towards sustainable solutions to shape a better future. By placing the human experience at the heart of its concerns, Lemay seeks to take advantage of constraints and create spaces where everyone can flourish.

About LumiGroup

Founded in 1995, LumiGroup is Quebec's largest lighting agency, representing lighting and furniture manufacturers from Quebec and around the world. The agency’s mission is to creatively transform the functionality and ergonomics of space in order to stimulate and motivate the end user.

LumiGroup’s dedicated team, educated and trained all around the world, applies expertise in industrial design, interior/exterior design, architecture, engineering, electricity, lighting, distribution, and manufacturing to deliver results that meet and surpass client expectations in Quebec and internationally.

Designer: Lemay Associé
Location: Montreal
Featured Partners: Luxka, Edison, Absolux, Lightheaded, Elemental LED, Quattrobi
© Photos: Claude Simon Langlois

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