As the branding’s first manifestation in the area, the Luminous Pathway highlights the full wealth of Quartier des spectacles while respecting the environment. This unique, powerful, and distinctive urban experience awaits visitors. Light rises from the theaters and pulses to the rhythm of cultural activities, lending an identity to a whole neighborhood and revealing its very essence. Visitors can see the abundance of culture available in Montréal at a glance.
The Quartier des spectacles Partnership has been developing the Luminous Pathway since 2006 thanks to the financial contribution of Ville de Montréal, ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l’Occupation du territoire du Québec, Canada Economic Development, and participating cultural sectors. The Luminous Pathway aims to make Quartier des spectacles an urban branding standard while respecting and protecting the starlit sky using energy-saving technology to limit light pollution. Lighting uses LED technology, which consumes 83 times less energy than a conventional bulb and lasts 25 times longer. Under the artistic direction of Intégral Ruedi Baur + Intégral Jean Beaudoin the lighting signature was designed by Axel Morgenthaler. A number of different lighting designers work with participating venues to carry out the neighborhood Lighting Plan.
The Luminous Pathway is divided into three components
A common lighting signature
The ground in front of entertainment facilities is lit with a double red circle pattern, referring to Sainte-Catherine Street, which lets visitors discover the neighborhood. The lighting creates a fun and vibrant red carpet at street level and indicates a cultural outlet.
List of sites with lighting signature
- MusiquePlus
- Musée Juste pour rire
- Les Katacombes
- Maison Théâtre
- Centre Pierre-Péladeau de l’UQAM
- Théâtre Telus
- Café Chaos
- Galerie de l’UQAM
- …as well as all of the sites with architectural and stage lighting, listed below.
Architectural and stage lighting
The goal here is to showcase the unique identity of each cultural venue by lighting its façade, windows, or other features. In addition to the buildings themselves, the personalities and activities of each area are clearly revealed by light, through concepts developed by different night architects.
List of sites with architectural and stage lighting
La Vitrine
Photo credit: Martine Doyon
Gesù
Photo credit: Martine Doyon
Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan
Photo credit: Martine Doyon
Place des Arts et Musée d'art contemporain
Photo credit: Martine Doyon
Théâtre du Nouveau Monde
Photo credit: Martine Doyon
Monument-National
Photo credit: Martine Doyon
Club Soda
Photo credit: Martine Doyon
Société des arts technologiques (SAT)
Photo credit: Martine Doyon
Métropolis
Photo credit: Martine Doyon
Centre de design de l'UQAM
Photo credit: Martine Doyon
Cinémathèque québécoise
Photo credit: Martine Doyon
CinéRobothèque de l'ONF
Photo credit: Martine Doyon
Grande Bibliothèque de BAnQ
Photo credit: Martine Doyon
Place de la Paix
Photo credit: Martine Doyon
Place Émilie-Gamelin
Photo credit: Martine Doyon
Maison symphonique
Vibrant elements
Vibrant identity, information, and creative elements are available through a variety of mediums, like awnings or façade decorations equipped with LED screens. These screens will present information on the neighborhood and its cultural and artistic events. The pilot project saw the use of the interactive screen of La Vitrine culturelle at Place des Arts on Sainte-Catherine Street.
Realisations
Today, nearly a dozen cultural venues including the Monument-National, Society for Arts and Technology (SAT), Club Soda, Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, Métropolis, Place des Arts, Maison Théâtre, the NFB’s CineRobotheque, Cinémathèque québécoise, and the Just For Laughs Museum are in the spotlight, and many others will be by the end of 2010.
With its reputation for creativity, environmental friendliness, and good value, the Luminous Pathway has won several national and international awards and has been covered in nearly a dozen specialized magazines around the world.
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FEBRUARY 2012 > Infopresse
Grafika – Grand prize
Awarded to Baillat Cardel & fils, Pointbarre and Iregular
for Period – Mutek 2011 -
NOVEMBER 2011 > Infopresse
Boomerang Prize – Grand prize – Interactive Marketing – Crazy but awesome category
Awarded to Baillat Cardel & fils and Iregular
for Period – Mutek 2011 -
APRIL 2011 > IESNA – Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
Illumination Design Award 2011
Awarded to Moment Factory
for the best architectural and prestige lighting for Métropolis -
NOVEMBER 2008 > CRÉATIVITÉ MONTRÉAL
Grand prix catégorie Intégration urbaine – Aménagement urbain 2008
Awarded to Axel Morgentaler, Photonic Dreams, and Moment Factory
for the interactivity of the dynamic marquise of La Vitrine culturelle
for the 2008 Montreal Nuit blanche -
NOVEMBER 2007 > IESNA – Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
Energy and Environmental Design Award of Excellence 2007
Awarded to Axel Morgentaler and Photonic Dreams
for the Quartier des spectacles luminous signature -
APRIL 2007 > IES MONTRÉAL – Illuminating Engineering Society
(local chapter of IESNA)
Illumination Design Award 2007
Awarded to Axel Morgentaler and Photonic Dreams
for the Quartier des spectacles luminous signature -
APRIL 2007 > IES MONTRÉAL – Illuminating Engineering Society
(local chapter of IESNA)
Illumination Design Award 2007
Awarded to Partenariat du Quartier des spectacles
for the Luminous pathway pilot project -
NOVEMBER 2006 > CRÉATIVITÉ MONTRÉAL
Grand prix catégorie Artère commerciale 2006
Awarded to Partenariat du Quartier des spectacles
for the Luminous pathway pilot project