Results
Focusing on the design objectives, the luminaires helped create a good balance of not over- or under-lighting the rooms. The lighting also played an important role in helping keep the facility’s atmosphere fun for the students.
Therapists have commented on the advantages the RGB lights that are installed in some rooms provide in aiding children’s therapy. For example, if kids are getting distracted during therapy, the color of the lights can be changed to redirect the students.
The design’s consistent use of details, colors and themes helps reduce children’s anxiety and agitation, which can lead to aggression. Adhering to this same principle, the lighting’s shapes and angles are the same throughout the building, providing familiarity and comfort to the children.
Along with the unique architectural and interior design, the lights enhance the spaces and create a nurturing, playful environment for the students.
The third and final phase of the school’s construction, which completed the third-floor class- rooms, was concluded in fall 2022. For continuity and to support the students’ needs, the design for these classrooms is the same as the other two floors and includes 63 donated luminaires.
A LIGHTING DONATION
Axis Lighting has had a relationship with the Donald Berman Yaldei Developmental Center for many years. When company representatives learned about the necessary renovations for the school’s latest building, they immediately offered luminaires. Two-hundred-fifteen lights were donated during two phases of construction.
Axis Lighting’s commitment to contributing to the community aligns with the school’s mission of “helping to transform the lives of the people who need us the most, facilitating the process of discovering and revealing the greatest untapped potential of each child with disabilities.”
PHOTOS: courtesy Axis Lighting unless otherwise noted
Retrofit Team
ARCHITECT AND INTERIOR DESIGNER: Stendel + Reich Architecture Inc.
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: SBSA, now Charles Taylor
MECHANICAL ENGINEER: BPA
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER: Consultants Orval, (514) 486-2560
FIRE-PROTECTION ENGINEER: Civelec Consultants Inc.
GENERAL CONTRACTOR, PHASE 1: Clobracon
GENERAL CONTRACTOR, PHASE 2: Propers Construction
Materials
LINOLEUM FLOORS: Forbo
PORCELAIN TILE, FLOORS AND WALLS IN RESTROOMS: Olympia Tile + Stone
PORCELAIN TILE, MAIN ENTRANCE: Centura
FELT CEILING BAFFLE, SECOND FLOOR: FilzFelt
ACOUSTIC CEILING PANELS: Decoustics
CEILING TILES: Certainteed
PLEXIGLAS: Mtl Display Inc.
INTERIOR GLASS WALLS: LDMA
COLORED FILM IN GLASS: Solyx
PAINT: Benjamin Moore
LAMINATE, WALLS AND MILLWORK FURNITURE: Formica
LIGHTING: Axis Lighting
- Pixel Recessed Downlights with MikroLite Optics
- Sculpt Pendant
- Sketch Luminaire
- Sculpt Recessed Luminaires
- Sculpt Surface Luminaires
- Aura 2 x 2
- Hexagon-shaped Stencil Pendant Luminaires
- Cove Perfekt