Cinematic lighting

The expansive lobby of a Tauranga cinema needed an exciting feature to make the space come alive. We spoke with the team at Bright Light and Enhance light_for architecture about its collaboration to create a spectacular large-scale light feature.

Designers are often tasked with making large, open lobby spaces into interesting and welcoming places for visitors; however, it can be a huge challenge to create drama and excitement in a space without cluttering up the floor and causing congestion.

Event Cinemas were in this predicament during the process of designing cinema lobby space in the newly opened Tauranga Crossing shopping mall in Tauriko, before a decision was made to create a sculptural lighting feature that would be suspended from the ceiling.

Lighting engineer Aaron Brown, from Enhance light_for architecture’s Bay of Plenty office, was called in and he contacted Bright Light – which designs, engineers and produces lighting systems for architectural projects – to collaborate on creating a unique, high-quality lighting solution. The aim of the design was to create a vibrant overall effect but with a softly lit ambiance, so it didn’t emanate too much glare. 

“The tight timeframe of the project was a significant challenge,” explains Aaron. “So, communication within our collaborative team was the key to its success. We needed this installation to be ready in time for the opening of the shopping mall where it is sited.”

The concept by Sydney-based lighting designers LLight was to create a configuration of illuminated squares that simultaneously float and tumble across the ceiling, brought to life by Enhance light_for architecture and Bright Light.

The team undertook the design, manufacturing and installation of the light feature, which consists of 17 squares, each with four light bars that make up a square. Each bar is held inside a 2m-long perforated bronze metal channel, which was then suspended in a 2m by 2m square. The lights are hung at different heights from one another, often overlapping, to give them a dynamic
floating appearance. 

“We incorporated Bright Light's LED light modules with custom-designed and fabricated luminaires that were all individually

dimmable via a DALI control system,” says Bright Light director
David Powley.

On average, the expected lifetime of the system would be in excess of 50,000 hours and comes with a seven-year warranty, ensuring that maintenance is minimal.

“The metal channels are perforated with holes to create a soft lighting effect,” explains David. “They are constructed in aluminium in a medium-dark bronze anodised colour, chosen by Ignite Architects to match the other architectural materials and textures in the space.”

"All of Bright Light's products are customisable to any length, subject to our ability to transport and install them,” adds Aaron. “Because of this, often we end up joining shorter lengths together in order to transport them but it gives us the ability to create an amazing lighting installation that goes right down a corridor, for example, in a zigzag shape or a configuration of hexagons or squares – anything is possible, pretty much.”

“In recent years, there has been a real shift to a cutting-edge linear lighting look, like we've achieved in the cinema,” remarks David, “And new technologies used in lighting, such as lightweight aluminium and LED, means we can react to specific designs that architects and designers are developing."

"In the past, we didn’t have that luxury because installing lighting in high or difficult spaces would make maintenance impossible. But, the advent of LED technology has meant that we can install lighting in areas that we couldn’t access previously, because it is durable, long-lasting, energy-efficient and cost effective. This gives us confidence that a lighting feature will last for a significant period of time.”

Also, with innovation, the amount of light that LED omits is constantly increasing, allowing us to design for different uses,” adds Aaron. “Lighting can be a lot more creative these days.”

Consequently, Bright Light has recently developed its portfolio with new products that have larger profiles and more versatility. “People are becoming more aware of the importance of lighting. In kitchens and entertaining space, for example, lighting can be used over specific task surfaces and it can have a different appearance at different times of the day,” says David. "It’s no longer just about having a series of pendants over a surface that you’re stuck with, or a series of bright and glary LED fixtures, now we can create cutting-edge lighting schemes that are much more tasteful."

“Good lighting can really energise a space,” add Aaron, which is certainly true of this striking lobby in Tauranga. “Event Cinemas and their audience are really impressed and happy with the installation,” says Aaron. “We are hoping to design and build more of them.” Who knows? Perhaps a stunning lighting feature will soon be coming to a cinema near you.

To learn more about Bright Light's amazing lighting products, click here for more details.