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


Design

  • Magic Lite: How to Solve the Most Common Challenges in Landscape Lighting Projects

    Magic Lite: How to Solve the Most Common Challenges in Landscape Lighting Projects

    Landscape lighting is far more than just enhancing aesthetics — it plays a critical role in improving safety and security, extending outdoor functionality, and increasing property value. Yet, architects, contractors, and real estate developers consistently face key challenges when specifying and installing outdoor lighting. The wrong fixture choices or poor planning and installation can lead… Read More…

  • Artika: Spring Kitchen Lighting Tips

    Artika: Spring Kitchen Lighting Tips

    After a long winter, spring is finally here to make our world feel bright and full of life, and some well-thought-out tweaks to your kitchen lighting can do the same for your home! These relatively simple changes can not only make your kitchen more functional but can also bring together the overall look and feel… Read More…


New Products

  • Acuity Brands: New Lithonia Lighting WMCL LED Wall Mount Cylinders

    Acuity Brands: New Lithonia Lighting WMCL LED Wall Mount Cylinders

    WMCL Wall Mount Cylinders: 36 Configurations, One Powerful Solution. When it comes to exterior lighting, flexibility and style are essential — and with 36 configurations built into a single SKU, these versatile cylinders make it easier than ever to achieve the perfect lighting for residential, commercial, and mixed-use spaces. Available in two sizes — the… Read More…

  • BeLuce: Interno LED – Recessed Emergency Lighting

    BeLuce: Interno LED – Recessed Emergency Lighting

    When the décor of the space is important and you don’t want to see the emergency lighting, the Interno LED is the right choice. Hidden away in the wall or ceiling, the Interno LED stays out of sight until a power failure happens. Once a power failure is detected, the hidden door opens and the… Read More…