Prize(s) Winners in Public Building Lighting Design
Lighting Design/Product Company Electrolight
Lead Designers Donn Salisbury, Rosa Arcaya, Nick Lee
Other Designer's names Sound Artist: Otto Reitano; Software Programmer: iion
Architecture Company Grimshaw
Client Macquarie
Photo Credits Rohan Venn
Completion Date Late 2024
Project Location 1 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2024
Entry DescriptionMartin Place Metro station is split between North & South platforms, linked by connections at the ground plane & deep within basement levels. One of these connections includes a 70m long link tunnel bored through rock.
The Architect imagined this tunnel as more than just a services link, proposing a public pedestrian link providing a faster option between North & South concourses. The length & clean circular form of the tunnel presented a rare opportunity for a lighting installation.
The lighting concept proposed 2 layers of light paired together with a series of audio soundscapes, providing an immersive experience in this unique space. The lower layer being a subtle white ‘carpet’ of light to satisfy the technical requirements of a public corridor – delivered in a way that avoided any impact on the remaining surfaces above. The second layer was to transform the upper cylindrical form of the tunnel into a dynamic light canvas which worked both with the 3-D form & the raw concrete textures of the space.
As visitor proximity shifts throughout the day the tunnel responds like a living organism. At sunrise and sunset, it responds with it's own rendition of the sky above, accompanied by the ambient score.
The combination of light,colour,sound & live interactivity create an escape from the bustle of the platforms and city above with an unexpected space of wonder, imagination & art.
