Crown Jewel, Sydney
Crown Sydney is set to become the city’s premier destination for guests seeking to stay, play and indulge in a world-class venue that sets new heights for service and style.Wilkinson Eyre set out to create a distinction from the orthogonal architecture of the CBD by creating a sculptural curvilinear form.
The celebration of The Veil in light would be illumination Physics’ contribution to the project – the only façade lighting employed.
Speirs and Major created the initial concepts for The Veil lighting. However, the implementation of the lighting fell to Norman Disney Young (NDYLIGHT) and their Australian offices in Melbourne and Sydney.
The lighting design called for exactly accurate and consistent wash lighting in white light only. The clever use of overlapping asymmetric beams of light would provide efficient coverage whilst mitigating the number of luminaires required. We found ourselves competing with three premier brands. The NDYLIGHT specification was professional and demanding. The design called for a luminaire with asymmetric optics with an integral driver, 3000K white light with DALI control for dimming. Independent laboratory testing reports were provided for SAA, C-Tick/RCM, IK rating, ingress protection, IESNA LM 79, LM80 and TM21.
IES files were provided so the photometrics could be verified against the virtual model created by NDYLIGHT.
The Veil is gently overhanging so it is possible to employ up-lighting from the canopies below and yet still terminate the beams of light in the structure by narrow lensing and tight focus.
For most of the perimeter of The Veil, the projection of the indirect lighting is similar enough that one typical light fixture could be used pervasively – 372 pieces to be exact. In eight locations where the lighting of The Veil was more complex, just 8 pieces of a more complex luminaire were required.
The illumination Physics Circular Wash Series provided the answer as we set out to match or improve on the specification and create value for money. We settled on two models from the range. Because of the proximity of windows, control of unwanted light was critical. The design of the glare shield was complicated by the optics used, which produce a 60-degree beam in the long axis of the symmetric lens – honeycomb louvres cannot be used with wide-angle optics. A standard snoot was also unsuitable as it too would interfere with the lighting effect. Thus, this project required an elaborate anti-glare device.
illumination Physics designed a custom solution based on a full snoot with cut-outs to allow the 60-degree axis to function. Longitudinal louvres were also added in the same orientation, further reducing any view of the light source.
illumination Physics matched or exceeded every parameter in the specification – delivered lumens, source life and ingress protection. We are rare in the market for using only Macadam step 2 for binning when most of our competitors use the inferior step 3. The Colour Rendering Index for illumination Physics’ Circular Wash Series is CRI 90+, a stand-out differentiator in a market where general-purpose wash light typically only meet a CRI of 80.
Working with Crown and their MEP contractor, custom factory-made starter and interlinking cables were designed to improve the efficiency of the installation and reduce waste.
Photo by: Guy Wilkinson
The award of the contract was shortly followed by the arrival of COVID-19. Despite all the ensuing challenges, illumination Physics delivered on time and economically, by sea freight. We overcame supply chain interruptions, lockdowns and delays in logistics.
We provided support to Crown and NDYLIGHT during the installation. The luminaires were installed as planned and proposed in the construction program in time for a well-prepared T&C prior to the official opening of Crown Sydney on the 28th of December 2020.
The outcome is as envisioned: elegant, efficient and in keeping with the architectural objectives.
The lighting provides sufficient celebration of The Veil without excess, a key part of this striking modern sculpture. We thank Crown Resorts for the opportunity to be a part of this remarkable project.
