Parking Garage Lighting Retrofit Reduces Energy Costs, Improves Safety and Aesthetics

January 22, 2019

Located in the heart of the Cote-des-Neiges neighbourhood of Montreal is a large residential development known as Le Sanctuaire. The condominium buildings surround a courtyard with two low-rise commercial structures. One is “ L’Atrium du Sanctuaire” a 38,000 sq.ft. space that is managed by FCR Management Services LP and is home to medical and professional offices, a Jean Coutu pharmacy, and a branch of the Banque Nationale du Canada. The other building contains the chic Midtown Le Sporting Club du Sanctuaire. The two share an underground parking garage, managed by FCR Management Services LP.

Because of the nature of the tenants in both buildings, pedestrian and car traffic volume is extremely high at all times of the day and night. FCR Management Services LP was seeking a lighting solution to improve visibility and safety for both drivers and pedestrians passing through the garage. They turned to the experts at Concept Illumination to evaluate the site and recommend a course of action.

FCR Management Services LP had worked with the Concept Illumination team on other commercial lighting retrofits. “They are reliable, on budget and on time – there are no surprises,” explains Ginette Longpré, Senior Property Manager with FCR Management Services LP.

Upgrading the lighting was necessary for many reasons. While the existing fluorescent lights were doing an adequate job of lighting up the laneways, they did not project sufficient light over the parking spaces, reducing visibility for people accessing their vehicles. The fixtures themselves were deteriorating and maintenance costs were high; the T12 tubes are an aging technology and replacement parts were expensive and very difficult to find.

The retrofit involved installing 105 architectural fixtures, selected to reflect the upscale nature of the building’s surroundings. Each 70W luminaire is 5000K to complement the natural light coming from various skylights. For the most part the fixtures were replaced one for one, but several were eliminated altogether because of the superior lighting coverage with the new lights. The team at Concept Illumination also dramatically improved visibility in building entrances from the garage, as well as a service corridor, with the installation of linear strips. 

The garage ceiling posed a design challenge because of substantial ductwork and piping. Some of the old fixtures were nestled in the midst of these obstructions, so while the light was there it was not distributed to where it should have been.

Concept Illumination’s solution was to lower these particular fixtures by approximately two feet, while keeping them within the required height clearance. “We attached the base of the fixture to the ceiling with a ball joint that has some give, so in the event that they are nudged by pedestrians or larger vehicles they will be protected,” says Daniel Herz, Director of Sales for Concept Illumination.

Managing traffic was the single biggest challenge while completing the retrofit. The goal was to keep the garage open, allowing for regular operations and minimal disruption to pedestrians and cars accessing the space. Herz therefore coordinated the lighting installation so that only one lane would be shut down at a time. Another planning consideration was the fact that the old fixtures were set in concrete, so removal and installation were particularly labour intensive.

The retrofit was successfully completed in one week and the transformation is extraordinary. The overall effect is bright and clean, resulting in a well-lit parking lot. Lighting is uniformly distributed across the laneways, parking spaces and walkways. The architectural fixtures are aesthetically pleasing, offering a comfortable illumination with no hot spots under individual lights.

What cannot be seen by visitors is the anticipated — and significant — energy savings. The 70W LED fixtures replaced 175W 4-tube T12 fluorescent lights, a 60% decrease in energy consumption. FCR Management Services LP can budget for substantial reductions in their operating costs in the months and years to come, and the company is pleased with the results.

“The garage is so much brighter and the lighting is uniform. Garage users feel much more secure now,” said Mrs. Longpré. “The tenant’s comments have been positive.”

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • RENO Lighting Announces New Vice President of Sales

    RENO Lighting Announces New Vice President of Sales

    It is with great excitement that RENO Lighting introduces Jean-Claude Lespérance as Vice President of Sales at RENO Lighting. With over 35 years of experience in the Canadian electrical industry, Jean-Claude brings extensive knowledge of the market and strong relationships with key industry stakeholders, suppliers, and customers. Holding a college diploma in Electrodynamics and a… Read More…

  • Contact Delage Announces New Partnership with Zilux

    Contact Delage: New Representation Agreement – Zilux

    Contact Delage is pleased to announce a new partnership with Zilux for the representation of their products in the regions of Montreal, Laval, Estrie, Lanaudière, Laurentides, and Montérégie. Specializing in the design of aluminum lighting and urban furniture, Zilux, a Quebec-based manufacturer, combines innovation and durability to enhance your outdoor design projects. Their expertise in… Read More…


Design

  • Light ARchitect Is Revolutionizing Lighting Design for Architects & Designers

    Light ARchitect Is Revolutionizing Lighting Design for Architects & Designers

    Traditionally, lighting design could be a tedious process, often involving physical mockups, time-consuming calculations, and static renderings using multiple software tools. With advancing technology, these traditional methods are giving way to more sophisticated tools that enhance precision, speed, and visualization. On the downside, many of the new tools are not particularly intuitive and the learning… Read More…

  • Project Story: Sainte-Thérèse High School Outdoor Lighting Upgrade

    Project Story: Sainte-Thérèse High School Outdoor Lighting Upgrade

    August 6, 2024 Built in 1980, the building that houses Sainte-Thérèse high school, in Quebec Canada, was looking a little worse for the wear. Renovation work began with two major projects: introducing a multidisciplinary sports centre, as well as redesigning the parking lots.  The employee and visitor parking lots were completely reconfigured during phase 1… Read More…


New Products

  • Amico: Lunar Night Light – Behavioral Series

    Amico: Lunar Night Light – Behavioral Series

    Behavioral Health Lunar Series Night Lights bring a soft, low-level illumination to the patient room allowing clinical staff and patients to navigate safely in the dark, evening hours. The unique faceplate has minimal protrusion from the wall and provides even light distribution for optimal sight. For ultimate convenience, the Lunar Night Light is available with… Read More…

  • Barbican: Aerie Acoustic Pendant Luminaire

    Barbican: Aerie Acoustic Pendant Luminaire

    With its design aesthetic paying tribute to the large nest of a bird of prey, typically built high in a tree or on a cliff, the Aerie fixture is a variation of our Drum luminaire, one of the most popular and versatile options from Barbican. Aerie helps to add some silence as well as aesthetic… Read More…