Photo: Ema Peter
A daytime pre-set scene features comfortably illuminated tape lighting and recessed linears that accentuate the open atrium and wood-frame millwork.
By David Shiller
In the heart of downtown Vancouver, Canada, the rapidly expanding mobile entertainment company Kabam sought to create an office environment that was as dynamic and engaging as its flagship games. The design brief was clear: craft a bespoke, adaptable, and intuitive lighting control system that could elevate the everyday workspace into a vibrant, immersive experience. This was not just a technical challenge but also a creative opportunity to weave lighting into the fabric of Kabam’s identity.
“As a gaming company, Kabam is ultimately a brand associated with fun and entertainment, so we specified luminaires that have a playful aesthetic and incorporated them into an equally playful design layout,” explained Victor Quezada, principal and Architectural Lighting team lead at AES Engineering. “This was, of course, done in close collaboration with the interior design team to ensure we complemented the interiors, both by area and by room.”
Like most great quests, the journey was not without its complexities. The project was underway from 2020 to 2023 and demanded advanced features, seamless coordination across multiple disciplines, and sensitive integration with both architectural and mechanical systems. The result is a lighting design that meets the functional needs of a modern workplace while providing inspiration and adaptation to the ever-changing rhythms of a creative company.
“Kabam wanted an impactful lighting concept that really helped put their stamp on the new space, but we also had to work with the constraints of the base building,” Quezada said. “The metal ceiling, for example, had to make space for sprinklers, diffusers, and other necessary features. Certain elements of the architect’s design, such as the millwork on the stairs, also presented potential limitations.”
One of the most significant challenges lay overhead: the base building’s radiant heating and cooling ceiling system by Giacomini S.p.A. This high-performance system dictated that all lighting be installed within specific carrying channels, each precisely engineered to support the radiant panels. To achieve the desired clean, modern aesthetic, these channels were laser-cut in Italy, ensuring millimeter-perfect tolerances for the Fluxwerx Notch 2 recessed luminaires while maintaining a flawless painted finish.
This level of precision required mechanical and electrical coordination since the lighting and linear air diffusers had to coexist harmoniously within the limited ceiling real estate. The result is a ceiling that is as functional as it is beautiful, with every element—light, air, and structure—working in concert.
Photo: Ryan Jamias
RGBW tape and downlights are recessed within angled millwork; the side stair pathway is controlled separately to provide safe wayfinding.
The 548-person-capacity atrium is the beating heart of Kabam’s new headquarters—a space where the full potential of the lighting system is on display. Stepped seating, illuminated by concealed RGBW LED tape, creates a vibrant stage for everything from CEO presentations to staff parties. The lighting transitions seamlessly between scenes, with fade effects and color changes that can be tailored to the mood and purpose of each event. “The outcome is quite striking, as the RGBW LED tape is concealed, leaving only the wash of color on the wood surfaces,” said Quezada.
The installation of lighting within the atrium required careful sequencing with other trades. Millwork, electrical, and A/V teams worked in tandem to ensure that LED tape and recessed Meteor Rev4 W+RGB Downlights were perfectly positioned and tested before being concealed behind finished surfaces. The result is a space that feels both effortless and magical, where technology and design come together to create memorable experiences.
The architectural language of the office, crafted by Perkins&Will, presented its own set of opportunities and constraints. Intricate millwork on the atrium’s feature wall and the grand staircase called for lighting solutions that could highlight these elements without overpowering them. The design team responded by integrating U Technology RGBW tape into seat toe kicks, stair risers, and behind wall panels, creating a concealed wash of color that animates the wood surfaces and brings the space to life.
“The lighting technologies consist of integrated LED luminaires, LED RGBW tape, and globe-shaped LED retrofit lamps [Maxlite G40 globe lamps installed in Bruck Canopy Pendant E26 sockets],” Quezada shared. “In all, a total of 27 luminaire types were used. This gave us coverage for different areas and the flexibility we wanted for the lighting controls in feature spaces like the main presentation area, which has a huge range of customizable and preset programs.”
To ensure a cohesive visual language, the design team curated luminaires from within specific product families, adapting finishes, sizes, and mounting types to suit each area. For example, a mix of 5-in. and 9-in. Fluxwerx portal recessed fixtures blend into acoustic panel ceilings, while ALW Calara Direct/Indirect Pendants add drama to open collaboration zones. The result is a lighting scheme that feels unified yet dynamic, echoing the diversity of Kabam’s workspaces and the creativity of its people.
The 27 distinct luminaire types were applied across 118,000 sq ft and five floors to provide both coverage and flexibility. Each area—from focused workstations to the expansive presentation atrium—has lighting tailored to its function and mood.
The lighting control system is the brain behind the beauty. Users can adjust lights, operate motorized Somfy TaHoma gateway shades, and trigger A/V scenes from a single control panel or preset, creating a holistic environmental experience. The lighting control system includes a variety of lighting control protocols; most illumination is managed via the 0-10-V protocol, ensuring smooth dimming and energy efficiency. The atrium’s RGBW lighting is controlled via DMX, offering precise color tuning and dynamic scene creation. Track lighting in the atrium ceiling and bulkhead is managed through Casambi-enabled DMX devices, allowing for wireless control from a centralized DMX master controller in the A/V room. For ultimate flexibility, users can also manipulate lighting scenes via a dedicated mobile application, empowering staff to customize their environment in real time.
The control interface was designed with the end user in mind. In the A/V control room, a DMX control panel with intuitive sliders and clearly labeled buttons allows for effortless scene selection and real-time adjustments. Pre-set programs inspired by the color palettes of Kabam’s most successful games—such as Disney Mirrorverse and Marvel Contest of Champions—can be activated for company events, presentations, or celebrations, instantly transforming the atmosphere.
Additionally, the project’s design was engineered to meet stringent energy and performance standards. With an average power density of just 0.43 watts per sq ft and illuminance levels of 300 lux in office spaces and 220 lux in common areas, the system delivers both efficiency and visual comfort. Full compliance with ASHRAE 90.1-2016 was achieved, ensuring the project meets contemporary benchmarks for energy use and sustainability.
The pre-function space above the atrium stairs includes a rainbow “party” chase mode. Extra DMX outlets enable ancillary wall grazer lighting (seen in the background).
By embracing the constraints of the base building and leveraging the latest in lighting technology, the design team delivered a system that is as adaptable as it is whimsical. Every detail—from the selection of playful luminaires to the integration of controls—was crafted to support Kabam’s brand and culture.
Today, the lighting system does more than illuminate spaces; it shapes experiences, fosters creativity, and brings people together. For Kabam, light is not just a utility—it’s an expression of the company. The lighting design was recognized with two awards: a 2024 IES Illumination Award of Merit: Lighting Control Innovation and a 2024 IES Vancouver Chapter Award of Merit: Lighting Control Innovation.
Kabam’s downtown Vancouver office demonstrates how thoughtful lighting design can transform a workspace into a living, breathing extension of a company and its culture—one that is as fun, flexible, and future-ready as the games that inspire it.
the Designers | Victor Quezada, Member IES, is the principal and Architectural Lighting team lead at AES Engineering.
Ligia Lanni, Member IES, is senior Architectural Lighting designer at AES Engineering.
Brian Vincer, EIT, CLCP, Member IES, is a lighting controls specialist at AES Engineering.
Kevin Shu, EIT, LEED Green Associate, is an associate at AES Engineering.
the Author | David Shiller is a business development and marketing consultant to the lighting industry as well as the publisher of LightNOW, an online lighting industry trade publication. He is a 20+-year veteran of the lighting industry and co-chair of the American Lighting Association Engineering Committee.
