Project Spotlight: Nemesis Coffee at Surrey Pavilion

Surrey Pavilion is a fresh reimagining of the traditional condo presentation centre, and is setting a new standard in community engagement in Vancouver. Designed by our clients, Marcon, this innovative project partners with local favourite Nemesis Coffee and its bakery arm, Dope Bakehouse, to deliver not just a showcase of future living but a vibrant hospitality hub that embodies the values of community and culture.

At the heart of this vision is a dynamic lighting scheme, done by yours truly, that brings the Pavilion to life. Our very own Perry Pugh of LightForm Vancouver worked closely in collaboration with Anna Vignale, Interior Designer at Marcon.

Project Background & Collaboration

Everything about the Surrey Pavilion is nuanced. Not only are they responding to an economic opportunity, but also a cultural one and taking this idea further than ever before.

Drawing inspiration from Mies van der Rohe’s work at Barcelona Pavilion, Shift Architecture and Marcon designed a sleek, minimalist building and interiors that feature wood beams and glass walls, a travertine floor, set in a stunning landscape. Their use of simple, elegant lines and honest materials like glass, wood, and steel create the perfect environment to showcase the development at 102+Park.

As Perry put it, the Pavilion concept is a “new take on a presentation centre, offering a kind of third place that engages local businesses and fosters community.”

The dedicated hospitality space occupied by Nemesis Coffee features a robust lighting plan, solely done by LightForm, that took roughly two years to develop in close partnership with the Marcon team.

Anna Vignale shares that the goal for Pavilion was to create a “vibrant, energetic space to propagate culture and foster community in the heart of Surrey.”

The lighting was integral to that mission: “The selected fixtures were chosen in a variety of scales and textures to achieve different lighting levels and tones throughout the space,” Vignale explains. “Each fixture has its own personality yet works harmoniously to reflect both the modern, timeless aesthetic of Marcon and the contemporary vibe of Nemesis.”

LightForm’s relationship with Marcon was more than just transactional B2B. “Our LightForm representative was an excellent resource,” Vignale says. “They helped procure, order, and execute the vision of the project, and went above and beyond in service to handle issues during and after completion.”

Lighting & Controls

The Pavilion’s lighting strategy is as dynamic as the space itself. Pugh highlights the custom Lámina Mayor Suspensions from Santa & Cole — a striking centrepiece over the coffee and service bar — as a showstopper, complemented by Bola Sphere pendants from Pablo and Luna wall sconces from Gabriel Scott. Outside, Louis Poulsen’s Flindt Garden Bollard enhances the exterior pathways, inviting visitors into the space.

Inside, lighting had to support a wide variety of uses, from casual lounging and dining to more functional presentation areas. “Hospitality focus in the Nemesis space blended with dynamic residential lighting applications in the presentation centre,” Pugh says. All of this is seamlessly integrated through a Casambi system, which provides full flexibility to meet the diverse needs of the restaurant and presentation space.

Photos courtesy of Marcon & Surrey Pavilion