The picturesque fishing village Peggy’s Cove, on the east coast of Canada, has gained a new attraction: a new viewing platform that harmoniously combines modern design with the untamed beauty of the Atlantic.
Where powerful waves smash against solid granite cliffs, the newly redesigned platform offers visitors sheltered access to one of the most impressive locations in Canada. The concept by architect Omar Gandhi brings safety, accessibility and nature into harmony. BEGA luminaires play a central role by adding targeted light accents and providing orientation.
Peggy’s Cove attracts around 700,000 visitors every year – despite having only 40 full-time residents. It’s a big challenge for the small community, who responded to the crowds of visitors with a new, sustainably designed viewing platform. Architect Omar Gandhi also faced numerous challenges. In its exposed position, the platform needed to enable safe and accessible access, withstand the rough weather conditions and preserve the natural environment.
This was achieved in an impressive manner: the viewing platform has a curved shape that blends harmoniously into the rocky coastal landscape. It is constructed largely from local materials, including white cedar wood on the cladding and steel mesh on the railings. BEGA luminaires feature as the central element of the clever illumination concept.
As they step onto the new viewing platform, visitors are greeted by BEGA bollards, which instantly set an iconic visual accent. Their striking shape is reminiscent of the lighthouse that towers in the background, the historic landmark of Peggy’s Cove. This special aesthetic goes hand in hand with functionality: the shielded light of the luminaires subtly shows the way and gives visitors a feeling of safety. Not least, the robust construction of the bollards will stand up to both the crowds and the challenging weather conditions on the coast of Nova Scotia.
BEGA recessed wall luminaires placed along the entire platform accentuate the clean lines of the architecture and enable a safe and atmospheric nature experience at every time of day. They blend into the wooden structure and optimally illuminate the ground surfaces from a low mounting height. Their asymmetrical light distribution creates spatial depth and uniform illumination, while their shielded, downward-directed light guides visitors safely along the walkways. Especially at dusk, when the sky over the Atlantic is enveloped in warm colours, the effect of the luminaires fully unfolds. Then their soft light accentuates the contrast between the warm tones of the wood, the cool steel railings and the craggy coastal landscape.
Client Develop Nova Scotia
Architects Omar Gandhi Architects (OG), Halifax (Canada)
