Typha - Proxima's IES Global Illumination Award of Outdoor Lighting Design 2024

Proxima Lighting Solutions is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Global Illumination Award of Merit by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) for its Typha public art lighting project in Richmond, BC. 

About the Project 

Installed in 2024, Typha is a public artwork consisting of three large-scale metal sculptures symbolizing the ecological significance of the region. The interior surfaces of the sculptures are painted in radiant golden-yellow, representing the maximum visible wavelength and enhancing the artwork’s visual prominence. 

Proxima Lighting Solutions was tasked with designing and implementing the lighting system to highlight the sculptures in a way that maximized visual impact while meeting strict requirements for efficiency, durability, and maintenance. 

Design and Features 

To overcome limited funding, a cost-effective management approach was prioritized. Identical pre-assembled light engines were manufactured, each containing three floodlights mounted on an aluminum core that also functions as a heat sink. These modular units were inserted through the sculptures’ openings, making installation efficient and maintenance straightforward. 

Key technical innovations include: 

• Heat Dissipation: Aluminum cores acting as structural supports and heat sinks to safely manage three 18W lights in each sculpture. 
• Electrical Optimization: The feeder line was upgraded from 120V to 240V to reduce inrush current by half and voltage drop by nearly a quarter, complemented by soft-start drivers. 
• Glare and Trespass Control: Strategic placement of floodlights through the sculptures’ oval openings to prevent glare and minimize light spill. 
• Durability and Safety: All hardware and connectors meet IP67 standards, ensuring resilience in outdoor conditions. 
• Visual Effectiveness: High-efficacy LEDs provide excellent visibility, allowing the sculptures to be admired from nearby vantage points or distant views, such as from bridges and airplanes. 

Award Significance 

The Global IES Illumination Awards celebrate outstanding projects that exemplify originality, technical achievement, and strong visual impact in lighting design. Typha was recognized for its innovative integration of technical solutions, artistic enhancement, and sustainable design practices, reviewed by an expert jury of lighting professionals from diverse disciplines.