The Brief

Unusual structures often require unusual lighting designs, as was the case on a recently completed New Zealand project affectionately referred to as “The Cloud”. The construction of this building on Auckland water front as the entertainment hub for the global Rugby Union tournament was completed under extremely tight dead lines and budgetary restraints.

Concept and Requirements

The physical nature of the construction with its twisting shape created many challenges for the lighting designer The client requested that the building be lit in such a way as to allow it to glow and to stand out on the waterfront as an iconic architectural statement. The original intent was to use RGB LED lighting but the budget could not stretch that far. As a result we were asked by the lighting designers at Lightworks to come up with a solution. The lighting designer opted for the colours red,blue and magenta and set about working with Aesthetics Lighting Solutions to come up with a design and lighting control strategy to meet the clients request.

The Solution

Five hundred DALI controlled coloured fluorescent tubes mounted in purpose built IP rated fittings were installed along the twisting structure on both sides of the building.

A unique self adhesive mounting system designed and manufactured by Aesthetics Lighting Solutions was used to avoid drilling of the beams and to provide for even colour distribution on to the canvas surface.

A distributed DMX control system taking DMX from a central controller to 8 separate locations allowed for the conversion to DALI. Each individual coloured tube is addressable and can be dynamically changed via a DMX controller at the front end To allow for outside production crews to take control over the facilities lighting while shows are on DMX plug in points are provided throughout the installation.

Products used: Pierlite BWP/T5 228 (with 2x DALI ballasts and twin reflectors) DMX to DALI control interface systems Austube 100 Square Sylvania lamps Siteco floodlights Crompton downlights

Conclusion

In summary Aesthetics Lighting Solutions has provided a complete lighting solution incorporating products and services right across the groups extensive offer.