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Shining a light on history.
On the site that was once home to a makeshift hospital, this monument celebrates Toronto’s response to Irish migrants fleeing the 1847 famine. The sculpture is representative of tent-like fever sheds that were created out of cheesecloth and provided refuge for the sick. From afar, it is clear that every panel of glass supports each other structurally, as they come together to create one cohesive piece. Up close, the panels reveal intricate etchings of the cheesecloth pattern, adding texture and dimension through illuminated curves that are reminiscent of the movement of cloth.
Shining a light on history.
On the site that was once home to a makeshift hospital, this monument celebrates Toronto’s response to Irish migrants fleeing the 1847 famine. The sculpture is representative of tent-like fever sheds that were created out of cheesecloth and provided refuge for the sick. From afar, it is clear that every panel of glass supports each other structurally, as they come together to create one cohesive piece. Up close, the panels reveal intricate etchings of the cheesecloth pattern, adding texture and dimension through illuminated curves that are reminiscent of the movement of cloth.
Balancing materials.
The structural and lighting designer teams worked together from the very beginning of the project process, with the vision of creating a monument that is cohesive throughout. Many arrangements were considered, and multiple lighting tests were conducted prior to the final installation. It is a delicate balance between the weight of five sheets of compressed glass and the fragile infrastructure underneath. The design team placed grazers as far as two feet underground to hide the fixture hotspot, which furthers the complex nature of this design. Equally complex is the light distribution, which must travel from the bottom of the panels, reflect on the higher panels, and tell a visual story along the way.
The exact right temperature.
Through translucent panels, the illustration is brought to light by the contrast of the night sky, commemorating the lives lost during the famine. Designers used 4000 Kelvin to minimize the green hue of iron in the tempered glass, and bring forth natural tones in the sky. A photo sensor turns on the lights until 11 PM each night, when it turns off to avoid night sky pollution. The result is a meticulously calculated and complex structure that is as much an homage to craftsmanship as it is a glowing beacon of healing.
