Visio, Bolio (FigMint, Vancouver) see product details

Prandina Sera S3 see product details

LightForm (Q): David, when you start a project, at what stage do you start thinking about lighting?

Evoke (A): Lighting is often an inspiration for the overall design concept, so we’re thinking about it the minute we start a project. For one of our restaurants, the Cascade Room, the pendants we used feature an image of Queen Victoria, and this image influenced our decision to create a modern version of the British pub. Our goal is to always elicit an emotional response to the space, and lighting is far and away the best way to achieve this.

LightForm (Q): How does the lighting or the lighting you select inform, and shape your concepts for design of the project?

Evoke (A): We tend to “layer” our lighting design: concealed lighting for ambient effect, architectural for general lighting, and pendants for decorative elements and scale. We also pick light sources based on how well they combine with the finish materials we are using. Lighting is equally important, if not more, as the materials and furnishings used on a project. Light has the ability to create ambience by “painting” the walls, ceilings and floors with colour and pattern.

LightForm (Q): Do you think about Lighting differently when you design Hospitality, Residential or Retail and Commercial projects?

Evoke (A): Most definitely, but our experience in commercial work heavily influences our residential detailing. Our residential products tend to feature concealed lighting, similar to the way we light restaurants and retail. We focus more heavily on decorative lighting in our hospitality projects, whereas we sparingly use pendant fixtures in the residential work. Also, there tends to be a greater influence of natural light in our residential projects, so we have to consider the balance with the artificial lighting.

LightForm (Q): Your projects seem to have an eye on modern international design; what are your favorite products?

Evoke (A): I really enjoy everything Moooi does. They combine eclectic and modern very well. If I want a really clean modern look I tend to look at Kundalini or Flos.

LightForm (Q): How do you decide where and when to use decorative fixtures versus fixtures that just effect light and are concealing the source?

Evoke (A): We tend to always use a variety of light sources, but scale is very important when determining the use of decorative fixtures. Quite often we will use large scale pendants over booth seating to create a more intimate scale for the diners. But again, it is important to combine a variety of light sources to create the atmosphere restaurants need to be inviting. Sometimes it’s the areas that remain in shadow that create the drama.

LightForm (Q): With a huge amount of focus on Sustainability and new technologies, how much does this or will this influence your selection process?

Evoke (A): Sustainable design plays a large role in our work as well. One of our favourite ways to conserve lighting energy is to utilize fluorescent cove lighting rather than pot lights with incandescent lamping. We are closely following the development of LED products as new environmental guidelines will limit the use of incandescent lighting in residential projects. LED also has the potential to provide the variety of lighting techniques we employ in our hospitality and retail work. It’s a great way to provide dramatic backlighting on translucent space dividers.