Lightemotion, a renowned lighting design consultancy, has crafted an enchanting lighting experience for the Canadian Canoe Museum’s new CA$45 million space on Little Lake in Peterborough, Ontario. This two-storey, 6,000-square-metre museum, home to the world’s largest collection of canoes, reopened on 13 May with exhibits that explore Canada’s heritage, including its Indigenous history.
François Roupinian, President and Design Director at Lightemotion, notes, “The Canadian Canoe Museum is a love letter to our nation, and we aimed to express the human connections behind each canoe.” Working from the early design stages, Lightemotion’s collaboration with the museum allowed them to understand the significance of each artefact, resulting in a lighting system that resonates deeply with visitors.
Lightemotion’s approach departs from conventional museum lighting by embracing a theatrical, multisensory design. They’ve layered light in a way that captures the canoes’ craftsmanship, from intricate engravings to the wood’s natural grain. “If you light an object too generally, it can feel like a store display,” explains Roupinian. “By highlighting specific details, the objects evoke an emotional response.” This technique conveys the essence of each canoe, creating the impression of movement and individuality, like arrows suspended in time.
To create a dreamlike atmosphere, Lightemotion installed discreet ground-level lights that appear to make each canoe ‘float,’ allowing visitors to feel fully immersed. LED strips enhance accompanying graphics, giving each canoe’s story a dimensional presence while keeping the focus on the artefacts themselves.
The project reflects close collaboration with local teams and careful budgeting, as Lightemotion worked through COVID disruptions to bring the museum’s vision to life. Roupinian summarises, “This was a labour of love for all involved, with a lighting design both spectacular and mindful of its cultural roots.”
Set to welcome an estimated 87,000 annual visitors, Lightemotion’s lighting honours the profound bond between humanity, nature, and the canoe, making each display a tribute to Canada’s heritage.
