LIGHTING BY VISO AT THE CARBON BAR RESTAURANT

VISO Inc., a local light design and manufacturer was chosen to create custom lighting for the new Carbon Bar restaurant in downtown Toronto.

THE GOAL Chef David Lee and restaurateur Yannick Bigourdan partnered up to create the Carbon Bar, a new trendy BBQ eatery. The goal was to create a place where “fun-­‐loving aficionados, gourmands and bon vivants meet to share un-­‐pretentious snacks, plates and platters delivered with impeccable hospitality.”

THE DESIGN CHALLENGE Chef David Lee and Yannick Bigourgan wanted to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible. For this new-­‐age BBQ eatery, Green was the plan. With 30 feet ceilings, the fixtures would have to fulfill this sustainable requirement as well as fit within the project design.

THE DESIGN SOLUTION Following a needs consultation with the clients and architects at Giannone Petricone, unique and sustainable lighting was created to enhance the theme of the restaurant. A spokesperson at Giannone Petricone Architects, stated “We chose VISO because we knew from experience on past projects that they would be able to successfully execute [the] custom light fixtures…” As part of the project, custom screens with integrated lights compose a large fabric chandelier over the bar. The project design utilizes a grid of oversized pantograph lights, a series of table specific spots, neon accents, and the custom fabric chandelier to collectively define the zones of the restaurant. As sustainability and reducing the venue’s carbon footprint was very important to the client, VISO used only LED and Cold Cathode lamps. The collection fixture Rhea LED, was chosen for this project for its slim and complementary fit within the larger custom fixtures, while also accommodating preferred light dispersion at table level, to complete the dining experience.