A PLAY OF LIGHT THAT IS CREATIVE

The Montmagny Courthouse, which was recently renovated and is located in the Bois-Appalaches neighborhood close to Quebec City, represents a notion of duality. It has a strong and stunning architectural vocabulary that is entirely characterized by light. The sprawling 4360 square meter courthouse, which is otherwise governed by rules and regulations, now surprises visitors with an architectural intensity that is entirely the result of a creative use of light. This courthouse was designed by the consortium ccm2, group a, and roy-jacques architects in collaboration with lumigroup. There are distinct lines that define the borders between public and private locations, as well as between the ancient and the modern. These lines may be literal or imagined, but they are always straight and sharp. Beginning at the entryway, a fluorescent line illuminates the ceiling, directing visitors towards a grand staircase that serves as a defining characteristic of important public institutions that are designed in the classical architectural style. The outside of this amazing staircase is constructed out of ash wood that has been stained black, which creates a striking contrast with the transparent quartz steps and the walls that are varnished inside. Through the use of led lighting that is disguised inside the top portion of the railing, the impact is appropriately amplified. The line of light reappears in a suspended vertical zigzag as one ascends to the upper floor, which houses the waiting, meeting, and hearing rooms. It ends under the vast cathedral ceiling, giving the impression of an unusual movement that has been frozen in time. This provides some lightness in this structured world. The concourse is where the lighting resumes its principal function, and it is there that the atmosphere is brought back to a world of order. The continuous linear lighting is strung from the ceiling down the expansive corridor, and the vertical light stripes that are recessed into the space serve to both constrain one’s travel and emphasize the area. The lighting in the courtrooms, which are hierarchical in structure, plays a very essential part in the process of constructing psychological boundaries between the public realm and the space that is designated for the judiciary. The court counter is another location where this idea of establishing boundaries via the use of light is used. The architects and the lighting team at lumigroup have been able to capture the creative potential of using light – both artificial and optimizing use of natural light filtering into the courthouse – bringing a distinct contemporary energy to the Montmagny courthouse. This is in addition to the fact that they have been able to respond to very specific lighting needs in terms of security, functionality, and safety. Images of the courthouse may be seen on IndiaArtnDesign.com by clicking on the link provided.