^{Surrey, BC} SFU: Sustainable Energy Engineering Building

The Simon Fraser University (SFU) Sustainable Energy Engineering Building, located in Surrey’s City Centre, stands as an impressive 222,300 sq. ft. LEED Gold-certified facility, supporting the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering. This state-of-the-art, five-story building houses programs focused on clean power generation, renewable energy, and sustainable manufacturing, cementing its place as a hub for innovation in sustainable energy.

In collaboration with AES Engineering’s lighting designer Victor Quezada, along with key stakeholders Revery Architecture and Canem Systems, we helped bring the building’s ambitious lighting vision to life. A project of this scale demanded precision, especially in delivering one of our largest NeoRay linear lighting packages to date. Over 6,155 feet of Cooper Lighting Solutions’ NeoRay Define was used — sleek linear fixtures seamlessly integrated into the wood slat ceilings or suspended in long runs, like within the labs. These fixtures complement the building’s architectural lines while maintaining visual continuity throughout the entire facility.

The lighting experience truly begins at the grand central atrium, where the magnitude of the project is immediately felt. NeoRay Define fixtures enhance the verticality of the atrium, guiding the eye upwards while preserving a clean, sophisticated aesthetic. These linear runs extend throughout the facility, including the 400-seat lecture theatre, offering both functionality and consistency. Beyond the linear runs, more than 560 Cooper Lighting Solutions Portfolio downlights, in various trims, were strategically placed throughout the academic spaces, adding an additional layer of precision lighting.

Our team also handled the emergency lighting, parkade lighting and tackled the handrail lighting on the inner handrails within the atrium — a particularly challenging aspect that required exact measurements. This installation adds both functional and architectural value to the space.

Despite an unforeseen shipping issue, where a portion of the product arrived damaged, the situation was swiftly resolved through quick coordination with Cooper Lighting Solutions. Replacement materials were delivered promptly, keeping the project on schedule.

In spite of the challenges, the project was delivered on time, with close collaboration across all parties ensuring its success. Completed in 2019, the building has since garnered multiple awards in various disciplines — a testament to the collaborative effort and commitment to sustainability, innovation, and precision in design.