BC PLACE RENOVATION, VANCOUVER BC |
Friday 30 Mar 2012
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A Vancouver Icon Redefined: Designing a New User Experience for an Iconic Building
Since 1983 BC Place has stood as an icon on the Vancouver skyline. In 2010 a roof replacement project triggered a complete transformation of the stadium. The complex structure and unique materials provided an opportunity for architectural lighting previously not contemplated by the client.
The lighting design focused on three key areas: the facade, the roof and the support structure. Using colour and sequenced lighting shows the design was able to create identifiable signature scenes for each event.
The new transparent ETFE facade and retractable roof insure that the viewer experience, both inside and outside, is engaging year round. The lighting design captures the best elements of the facade, highlighting it like no other. The facade consists of 1700 ETFE panels, 1.5m wide x 2m tall, stacked four rows high.
Through mock-ups, the design team was able to determine the ideal beam spread and output required to achieve the desired effect. The roof lighting, designed to complement the facade and covering 38,000 square meters of PTFE, posed a challenge. To achieve even illumination the surface was split into 3 concentric rings of light, lit from both roof edge and masts.
To further accent the steel cables that support the roof a twinkle light was installed at the top of each vertical hanger cable. This individually controllable star field is used to distinguish the building form the night sky. Programming allows the stadium to engage the city with the events within through the use of both static and dynamic light shows. Through creative and original use of LED lighting and proper controls the face of BC Place once again glows as an icon in the Vancouver skyline.
The stadium is both a boisterous multi-purpose contributor to this entertainment zone of the city as well as a responsible, transparent, integrated neighbor.
Stantec Architecture Ltd.