Vancouver Waterfront Park

As the heart of a 10-acre waterfront park, the Grant Street Pier provides an intimate public gathering space within the heart of a revitalized downtown Vancouver, WA. The lighting design concept enhances the artistic and structural nature of the pier that cantilevers 90’ over the Columbia River. Carefully considered fixture selections and precisely detailed mounting locations reveal the nautical and industrial character of the pier and create a pleasing nighttime luminous environment.

Coordination with the artist and landscape architect, structural and electrical engineers was critical to the success of the lighting. Floodlights with precise optics minimize spill light illuminating the mast from the landside only creating a striking, dramatic, and maintenance-friendly effect. Steplights mounted between the guardrail’s vertical stanchions illuminate the pedestrian walkway and highlight the perimeter of the pier. Wallwashers mounted below the pier and concealed from view highlight the bulkhead wall and enhance the floating nature of the pier.

Various sustainability and environmental stewardship aspects were considered over the course of the project, and a precise sequence of operations was established to limit the hours the uplights would be energized to minimize the environmental impact. Light falling on the water was also minimized to not disorient spawning salmon.

Design team:

FMS | Fisher Marantz Stone