The Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre in Ottawa is a purpose-built facility that helps youth aged 13 to 21 overcome substance use and mental health challenges. Flux Lighting was part of the team that brought this important project to life. Our fixture selections support the Centre’s goal of creating a safe, calm, and healing space for residents and staff alike.
This project consolidated three separate program sites into one modern 24,000 square foot campus. Therefore, the lighting had to work across many different types of spaces within a single building. From residential living areas to classrooms, counselling rooms, and a gym, each zone had its own lighting needs. As a result, Flux chose fixtures that feel appropriate and comfortable in every setting.
In a facility like the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre, lighting does more than just illuminate a room. It also shapes how people feel in a space. So Flux focused on fixtures that add warmth and calm rather than clinical harshness. Furthermore, the design team prioritized natural light throughout the building, and the artificial lighting was chosen to complement it.
Common areas feature mass timber elements and double-height ceilings. These spaces needed lighting that felt open and inviting. Consequently, Flux selected fixtures that enhance the bright, airy quality of these gathering areas without overwhelming them. In addition, residential areas called for softer, more restful light to support the day-to-day comfort of the young people living there.
The Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre also includes secure internal corridors, dining areas, conference rooms, and outdoor courtyard spaces. Each of these areas plays a different role in the treatment model. Therefore, the lighting approach shifted to match each function. Flux worked within the broader design vision to ensure every corner of the building felt intentional and well-considered.
Finally, this project reflects the care and sensitivity that Flux Lighting brings to healthcare and community settings. Good lighting in a therapeutic environment is not a small detail — it is a key part of how a space supports healing. We are proud to have contributed to a facility that makes such a meaningful difference in the lives of young people across Eastern Ontario.
Project designed by Watson MacEwen Teramura Architects.
Photography by Evan Dion.
