At Vancouver International Airport (YVR), lighting does more than illuminate a space. In the Graham Clarke Atrium, it shapes how travelers experience something deeper.
The Celebrating Flight totem pole by Don Yeomans stands as a cultural and historical marker, representing the stories and traditions of Indigenous Peoples. When the existing lighting was only partially functioning, the airport set out not just to replace it, but to enhance it through a thoughtful First Nations totem pole lighting effort.
Branch Manager Amit Thakur at City Electric Supply (CES) Richmond, partnered with Vice President of Operations Jeff Faulks at DeltaTec, and BL Lighting to provide precise lighting solutions.
Together, they delivered an LED neon lighting installation that respected the original artistic intent while meeting the demands of an active airport environment.
Working within airport constraints
Projects inside an active airport come with a unique set of challenges. With security, passenger traffic, equipment, and operational demands, there’s more than just planes moving quickly.
“Access is very limited,” Faulks explained. “Our workers, tools, and lifts all must go through security. We also had to complete the work above active conveyor systems that move luggage, so a lot of the work happened in restricted areas.”
Additionally, no structural modifications could be made to the installation, meaning every detail had to be exact.
The lighting runs roughly 32 feet up each side of the pole, with drivers located below the floor near the baggage systems. Coordinating work across multiple levels added another layer of complexity.
Getting the lighting right
Every project has its requirements, but when art and culture are involved, those requirements become more specific.
“For this project, we wanted to honor the original artist by keeping the same bright green lighting,” Faulks said. “There was discussion about changing it, but we felt it was important to stay true to the original concept.”
After aligning on the approach, Thakur turned to a long-standing partner.
He reached out to BL Lighting, whom he has worked with for over 15 years, to help source a solution that would meet both aesthetic and technical requirements.
“We work with CES on a regular basis and have worked on projects at YVR previously,” said a representative from BL Lighting. “Whether it’s for something specific or custom, he checks with us and fortunately, on this occasion, we were able to help out.”
BL Lighting’s solution — a precise LED neon lighting installation — delivered a smooth, continuous line of light from top to bottom. To maintain a clean look, wiring orientation was carefully planned and kept out of sight.
Because the totem is viewed up close, the team avoided traditional LED options that could appear harsh. Instead, the neon features a frosted silicone jacket that diffuses the light, creating a more uniform output that’s easier on the eyes.
“I didn’t see this project as complicated simply because we had the perfect product for the job, which made the application straightforward,” a representative from BL Lighting added. “It also helps that I love working with Amit and his team; whenever we work with City Electric Supply, everything is in sync.”
Lighting that enhances, not overpowers
At YVR, lighting decisions go beyond function. Natalia Samborski, senior marketing lead at Vancouver Airport Authority, explained the importance of intentional lighting when it comes to art.
“Art conservation work often involves consulting with the artist or their estate because lighting can change how a story is told,” said Samborski. “A shadow in the wrong place might obscure a significant crest or alter the expression of a carved figure.”
Lighting also contributes to safe and efficient airport operations.
“Safety is a priority at YVR; most significant maintenance happens at night when flight and guest volumes are at their lowest. Positioning is also operationally important, as lighting must be carefully placed to prevent discomfort for passengers walking by and reduce reflections on nearby glass surfaces.”
Delivering on those expectations requires partners who understand how to operate within an airport environment.
“Trusted partners like City Electric Supply, DeltaTec, and BL Lighting help blend technical expertise with strict adherence to airport safety and operational protocols. They ensure that maintenance is executed without compromising high-security standards or the continuous flow of the terminal.”
And this wasn’t the first time these teams had worked together successfully.
A project built on trust
For Thakur, working with YVR was already familiar territory. Years earlier, his team supplied capacitor banks for the airport’s runways, laying the foundation for a long-standing relationship built on consistency and trust.
That same reliability carried into his relationship with Faulks.
Faulks first connected with Thakur while searching for a hard-to-find part.
“I reached out to him nearly three years ago. I couldn’t find what I needed anywhere,” said Faulks. “Not only did City Electric Supply help us get what we needed, but they went above and beyond. Amit and CES have never let us down.”
That consistency kept CES top of mind when this YVR totem pole lighting project came around.
As an Indigenous-owned and operated company, DeltaTec has become the airport’s preferred contractor and a natural fit for a project centered around cultural significance.
More than just a lighting project
For Thakur, projects like this reflect what CES is built on.
“I tell my customers, ‘Come to me with your problems, and I’ll find a solution,’” Thakur said.
That mindset is what led to CES Richmond’s long-standing relationship with the airport. What started with supplying equipment years ago has grown into an ongoing collaboration across multiple projects.
In this case, it meant bringing together the right partners to deliver something that was technically accurate and respectful of the meaning behind it. At YVR, Celebrating Flight is part of a larger experience.
“It creates a sense of place,” Samborski said. “Ideally, a traveler leaves the terminal not just remembering a flight, but remembering the story of a unique place and people — one told through wood, shadow, and light.”