“The client wanted the spa experience to have a luxurious feel, so they requested that we visit Four Seasons spas around the world. Luckily, I had already worked on lighting design in some of them, so I didn’t have to do much research. I worked with Greg Day Lighting on this project to illuminate the spaces built by Knickerbocker Group with the architect of record Canal 5 Studio.

“We began by talking through the spaces and discussing locations where artwork might hang so we could consider the lighting in those locations. We tried to highlight certain walls to create focal elements that would draw you in. Knickerbocker’s interior design team worked with the client to punctuate the space with chandeliers and sconces that refract the light beautifully.

“Generally, lighting designers love to illuminate rooms with many layers of light. Matte surfaces that are light in color diffuse the light in a lovely, soft gradient, while textured surfaces add a dramatic layer of lighting. When you come across something with more reflection, like glass or a mirror, it becomes more challenging to conceal the light source. For this project, the clients selected an array of textures, surfaces, and accent objects, which helped make the lighting design more dynamic. Where the client chose textured tiles, we grazed them by installing narrow linear downlighting in a fashion that accentuates the texture in a defined way.

“This project was particularly exciting because there were so many different areas to create beautiful lighting details: we had cove lighting, linear grazers, vaulted ceiling uplighting, and integrated linear lighting at millwork and display shelves. We accented the vanities in the bathrooms by putting a narrow spotlight on each of the sink basins, which added an alluring punch of brightness to draw you in. On the lower level, there is a mesmerizing water feature wall, which we grazed to really showcase the movement of the water.” 

—Maxime O’Rourke, principal lighting designer and founder of Prism Lighting Design  

Architects: Patrick Costin & Timothy Hart, Canal 5 Studio
Builder: Knickerbocker Group
Interior Designers: Elena Duralde & Pascale Plüss-Zehm, Knickerbocker Group
Interior Architects & Millwork Designers: Bob Francisco & Peter Nadeau, Knickerbocker Group
Hardwood & Tile: Supplied and installed by Capozza Floor Covering Center & Old Port Specialty Tile Co.
Lighting Design: Maxime O’Rourke, Prism Lighting Design; Greg Day, Greg Day Lighting
Site Managers: Bill Plourd & Jay Moravitz, Knickerbocker Group