Digital Billboards and light on buildings

halifaxboyns · #1 Posted **Jan 3, 2011, 6:17 PM**

I thought I would start off a new thread by asking a question:

What do people think of the digital billboards out at YHZ? I ask because I'm working on rules out here in YYC, but I'm interested to know people's opinion.
I don't think the current zoning rules in HRM allow them - which is why they seem to be concentrated at the airport (the airport is exempted from Municipal zoning rules (for the most part)).

I'm also curious to see what people think about using light on buildings as an accent feature? We have several buildings in Calgary that use multi-coloured lighting strips as an accent feature. They say it's to create more interest in the downtown, but I don't see it.

fenwick16 · #2 Posted **Jan 3, 2011, 6:50 PM**

I think if it is done correctly it would look good. Probably Times Square in New York would be a bit too much (especially along Barrington Street). But I seem to remember that Halifax had many more neon lights when I very young and was in the city briefly around 1970 (we lived in the Annapolis Valley at the time).

TedWilliamsHead · #3 Posted **Jan 3, 2011, 8:24 PM**

what would be the reasons for not allowing this?

halifaxboyns · #4 Posted **Jan 3, 2011, 11:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TedWilliamsHead

what would be the reasons for not allowing this?

There have been apparent safety concerns with the operation of digital signs on drivers (since Billboards are oriented to the driver). Not to mention these signs are basically giant TV's - so bright light and changing messages (every 6 seconds) close to residential really don't seem to mix (from a common sense perspective). Plus there is the issue of light pollution and energy consumption (studies have shown that one digital billboard uses the same amount of energy as 15 homes per year).

I believe HRM doesn't allow them because of the definition of billboard in the regulations; zoning works basically that if it's not what is defined and it's not anything else, then it's not allowed. They could change the rules and allow them if they wanted too.

Keith P. · #5 Posted **Jan 4, 2011, 1:12 AM**

So, are animated neon/electric signs -- like one would see on old movie theaters, restaurants, and hotels -- no longer permitted?

halifaxboyns · #6 Posted **Jan 4, 2011, 5:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith P.

So, are animated neon/electric signs -- like one would see on old movie theaters, restaurants, and hotels -- no longer permitted?

Honestly I'm not sure. I'm just asking what people think.
I know out here in Calgary they are.
It's mostly LED/digital signs we see out here.

Jonovision · #7 Posted **Jan 4, 2011, 1:18 PM**

I find that the highest concentration of electronic billboards are usually geared towards pedestrians. Times Square, Dundas Square and Piccadilly Circus are mostly geared towards pedestrians and therefore require insane amounts of pedestrian activity. I like these. However the odd digital sign on an office building is a bit boring to me. I think the places mentioned work so well because the signs and the crowds help create a buzz in the area. A living beating pulse for the city. I think they work so well because of their density. One or two signs scattered through a downtown aren't terribly exciting. I can't see Halifax having anything like that for a long time.

I do love accent lighting on buildings as long as it is not overdone. I was actually sitting outside of the Time and Space building on Agricola last night. It has some nice uplighting on the facade. I was thinking it would be really nice to add some of that to buildings like the Art Gallery or the Bank of Nova Scotia building downtown.

JET · #8 Posted **Jan 4, 2011, 3:02 PM**

I hate all billboards, and I'm not too found of the digital ones. When they fixed up Lake Banook this summer they put a digital billboard next to the 'canoe' at the west end of the lake; a terrible decision IMO.
The billboards that I really don't like are the double stacked ones along Nantucket, Wyse, Alderney, Barrington. HRM was trying to ban them, but they were erected before a bylaw and then grandfathered in.
As for building lighting, when Brunwick Towers was painted they added lighting to illuminate the building, and it is quite good.

MonctonRad · #9 Posted **Jan 4, 2011, 3:32 PM**

In Moncton there are several large animated video billboards located around Champlain Place and in the Trinity Drive/Power Centre district. These appear to be aimed at motorists and not pedestrians. I personally find them an annoyance and somewhat distracting.

I imagine it depends on context. I find the digital signs along Yonge St. in Toronto, especially around the Yonge/Dundas district exotic and entertaining but these are directed towards the heavy pedestrian traffic in this area and contribute to the overall ambience and excitiement of the neighbourhood. I'm not sure these signs belong in Moncton or Halifax.

halifaxboyns · #10 Posted **Jan 4, 2011, 5:53 PM**

One of the concerns we're seeing out here in Alberta (with these signs) is that there is a perceived risk of distraction of drivers. We've had a full motion video billboard in Calgary for a while; I don't look at them. I'm like JET - I don't like Billboards, they are large and oriented to the car and not pedestrian. The exception to that is spaces like Younge/Dundas Square, where that is pedestrian oriented.

Personally, I've always believed that as sites develop and become more pedestrian oriented, everything (including the signage) should change accordingly. It doesn't usually happen though because the outdoor advertising industry wants big signs because that's how they make their money.

On a personal note; I actually like some of the lighting systems used to accent buildings (like some of the ones here in Calgary) and I think they would look cool in Halifax. My only concern is that they don't create so much light as to cause problems for other residents.

beyeas · #11 Posted **Jan 4, 2011, 6:12 PM**

isn't the trillium supposed to have some exterior illumination?
If so it will be interesting to see both how it looks, and how it is received publicly.

halifaxboyns · #12 Posted **Jan 4, 2011, 8:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by beyeas

isn't the trillium supposed to have some exterior illumination?
If so it will be interesting to see both how it looks, and how it is received publicly.

The top was supposed to be illuminated, based on the artist renderings we've seen. I think it will look amazing.

planarchy · #13 Posted **Jan 5, 2011, 1:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

On a personal note; I actually like some of the lighting systems used to accent buildings (like some of the ones here in Calgary) and I think they would look cool in Halifax. My only concern is that they don't create so much light as to cause problems for other residents.

Good lighting strategies can drastically improve cities. Glasgow, Scotland and Ghent, Belgium are two examples of effective and progressive lighting strategies. If you are interested, there is lots of literature available for both.

In general Halifax streets are quite dark at night and could benefit from some thought put into this. One thing that is a big improvement in Halifax is the decision to light the MacDonald Bridge. It could be better, but a great start. Otherwise, this city, and most Canadian cities, have a long way to go in this respect. They are often easy to implement and really work to animate a city at night, often producing a high return on investment.

someone123 · #14 Posted **Jan 5, 2011, 2:20 AM**

A lot of lighting even downtown is big overhead sodium lamps that are designed to provide lighting of roadways for cars. It's time for an overhaul, particularly on major streets like Spring Garden Road and Barrington -- this has been talked about for years but nothing ever happens.

A lighting program for heritage building facades would nicely complement the Barrington facade improvements, although last I saw nothing was happening there either...

Here's a night shot of Barrington from flickr.. it doesn't look very inviting:

Source

ewjonsson · #15 Posted **Jan 5, 2011, 2:28 AM**

The only problem I have with the digital billboards is where they are placed. I don't know if the one on the corner of the metro centre counts as a digital billboard, but when you are on top of the citadel looking down Duke street, it nearly blinds you! I'd like streets like Argyle and Barrington to be lit up a bit more though.

Eric

JET · #16 Posted **Jan 5, 2011, 12:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewjonsson

The only problem I have with the digital billboards is where they are placed. I don't know if the one on the corner of the metro centre counts as a digital billboard, but when you are on top of the citadel looking down Duke street, it nearly blinds you! I'd like streets like Argyle and Barrington to be lit up a bit more though.

Eric

Wecome to the forum Eric.

Jonovision · #17 Posted **Jan 5, 2011, 6:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewjonsson

The only problem I have with the digital billboards is where they are placed. I don't know if the one on the corner of the metro centre counts as a digital billboard, but when you are on top of the citadel looking down Duke street, it nearly blinds you! I'd like streets like Argyle and Barrington to be lit up a bit more though.

Eric

I have a friend who lives in Plaza directly across Duke street from that sign. It can be the middle of a sunny day with the blinds open and it still casts light into the apartment. At night it is just hellish.

Keith P. · #18 Posted **Jan 5, 2011, 10:06 PM**

Is the super-bright sign still on the Casino? That thing was so bright it even hurt to look at it during the day.

Jstaleness · #19 Posted **Jan 6, 2011, 11:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith P.

Is the super-bright sign still on the Casino? That thing was so bright it even hurt to look at it during the day.

That sign has been gone for awhile. A lot of complaints about it's brightness.

halifaxboyns · #20 Posted **Jan 6, 2011, 7:57 PM**

I'm not surprised about the sign on plaza. It bothered me when I lived there too and I faced it.

The stuff I'm working on is mainly for signage and wouldn't deal with building accent lighting (like the roof trillium or a light strip down the side of a building) - it's more the stuff like the Metro Centre signs. I was genuinly surprised there weren't more digital signs in Halifax; but I'm not upset with that.

It's very intersting stuff though; learning about light emissions and standards and what LUX is versus nits - which are both limits of light. Daylight from the sun is 6500 nits - but most sign companies want more than that because they want their signs to be the brightest thing you see. The distraction factor is quite interesting too...there is so much literature to read.