The City of Vancouver unveiled a new park on Smithe & Richards, now named sθәqәlxenәm ts’exwts’áxwi7, meaning rainbow, by the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, which boasts vibrant and modern architecture with the help of some of MP Lighting’s in-ground fixtures for added lighting once the night comes. The aptly named park sits in between commercial and residential high-rises, and provides a haven from the everyday rush for those who work or live nearby. This family-friendly park accommodates the needs of everyone, with ramps for easy access, Kafka’s Coffee for a sweet treat, and benches to sit and relax.
A multi-dimensional park with green space, playground & other recreational features for everyone
The park’s architecture reflects the city; part natural materials and part industrial materials find a stunning balance in the busy neighborhood of Yaletown. Sharp angles from walkways and the natural curves of trees find common ground at Smithe & Richards, creating a small break from the everyday bustle. With the help of Kafka’s Coffee (which boasts the amazing L225 spotlight & L199 pendant luminaires), the park – which was previously a parking lot – is now a place to meet, relax, and enjoy the day. For the little ones, a brand-new playground with interactive elements was added, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. During hot summer days, a small splash pad allows kids, and kid-at-heart’s, to cool off with water provided by the city. Nearby sitting walls make room for people to sit or lounge about, and parents are able to observe their kids while still enjoying the view.
Landscape lighting at the parkFor ground illumination, the L01 luminaire is used under benches and on stair treads to provide clear and well-lit passages for the safety of park-goers. The clean and minimal-looking matte clear anodized finish blends in with the cement structures of the steps and benches in the park, making for a seamless look in the daytime, and a standout in the nighttime. For natural soft white illumination with maximum reach, a 3000K colour temperate and a wide beam angle of 120° were chosen to achieve the desired effect. This pairing creates a natural looking light beam that sweeps the park grounds in large shapes, so people can still enjoy the park even after daylight has faded.
For bigger pools of light, the L05 is the weapon of choice, highlighting architectural details of the park. A flood beam (60°) and 3000K colour temperature were selected for a wide but controlled light beam with a natural soft white light. The larger triple-LED luminaire works well to illuminate the detailed wall next to Kafka’s Coffee, so it can be admired at all hours of the day, even if the sun is down. The luminaires also assist the L01’s that are situated on the concrete steps next to Kafka’s Coffee to provide the space with more light during the night time, making the park and, most importantly, the public feel safer.
On ramps, the L08 is the go-to. For a cleaner and more flush finish, the L08 with single aperture is presented, giving great illumination at night without glare caused by the lights. The matte clear anodized finish blends into the concrete for a seamless look and is flush enough to the ground that it doesn’t create obstacles for pedestrians and wheelchair users alike. To maintain consistency, a 3000K colour temperature was chosen so the park can be bathed in natural soft white light.
On passageways with heavy traffic, the L348, which is bolted into place, is the fixture of choice. Single aperture L348s illuminate the wood-built bridges, passages, and steps with bright 3000K soft white colour temperature and glare-free light. On corners and where needed, double aperture luminaires are used to ensure light covers the ground for safety after the sun has set. Like the other luminaires, a 3000K colour temperature was chosen for its natural lighting effect and to maintain an even light coloring throughout the park.
With the help of MP Lighting’s back boxes, our luminaires can be installed both vertically and horizontally, and on most surfaces. The L01s were installed vertically and on concrete to illuminate broader ground under benches and on concrete steps. The L05s and L08s were both installed horizontally, but the bigger luminaires sit on paving stones, while the smaller luminaires were installed on concrete. The L348s were screwed into place using bolts on wood, and with the back boxes underneath for extra support.
Durable outdoor-rated fixtures for the modern park
All luminaires are made high quality and outdoor-resistant materials. Vancouver can have unpredictable weather, from sunny mornings to rainy afternoons in just one day, so the need for finishes that can withstand those last-minute changes was of the utmost importance. The matte clear anodized finish looks seamless with concrete and has beautiful contrast with the wood, but its beauty also has a purpose, it can last through year-round Vancouver weather – sun, rain, snow, and anything in between.
Opening hours for the park are from 6am to 10pm, so next time you’re in Downtown Vancouver, check out Rainbow Park at Smithe & Richards. Feel the sun on your skin, grab a coffee (or even some soft serve ice cream!) at Kafka’s Coffee, and enjoy the beautifully vibrant and modern architecture of the park.
