Lighting in Francl Architecture Headquarters | A-Light

A-Light is a manufacturer of high-performance architectural luminaires designed to elevate contemporary spaces with visual precision and minimal forms.

A-Light’s Absorb H acoustic pendants were used in the newly renovated Francl Architecture headquarters, located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The project involved retrofitting a nearly century-old board-formed concrete building into a modern, open-concept studio that balances historic preservation with contemporary comfort.

The two-story structure in Vancouver’s historic Yaletown neighborhood stands out for its full concrete construction, a rare characteristic in an area dominated by brick and timber warehouses. The architectural team at Francl sought to preserve the character of the building while adapting it to the needs of a collaborative design studio.

The main upper floor spans approximately 6,000 sq.ft., with exposed concrete surfaces, sloped ceilings, and a system of skylights and windows that deliver ample natural light. Lighting was key not only for visibility and comfort, but also to highlight the material and structural honesty of the space.

A-Light’s Absorb H pendants were chosen for their dual-purpose function: delivering high-performance, diffused illumination and providing acoustic comfort in the reverberant concrete environment. Their direct lighting improves workstation visibility while the indirect up-lighting draws attention to the exposed structure and enhances the perceived ceiling height.

The fixtures’ felt-like polyester panels, shaped in an elegant winged profile, reduce noise with an NRC of 0.75. Connected to an nLight® AIR lighting control system, the luminaires offer independent control over uplight and downlight. The design team appreciated the lighting and acoustic benefits, as well as the visual softness the luminaires introduced into the angular, industrial space.

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