Lighting up the Rialto
Architectural Lighting
Challenge
While the colour scheme is as soft and inviting as a pastoral sunset, the technological hardware and power supplies needed to be able to withstand the harsh realities of sub-zero Canadian winters, while preserving the elegant aesthetic worthy of a national landmark.
Approach
With special permission to drill the necessary holes through the theatre’s façade, the lightwork is designed to span across five zones, highlighting the unique and iconic architecture of the structure and casting a changing glow over Parc Avenue.
The Rialto Theatre was designated a national historic site in 1993. Inspired by the Paris Opera, restoration renovations began in 2010 and today the Beaux-Arts-inspired architecture of the Rialto serves as a multipurpose venue for the performing arts. The outdoor lighting system is a harmonious blend of ethereal beauty and technical power. The shifting lights are a perfect symbol of the changes the Rialto has undergone over almost a century, including the most recent revitalization.
