Crown Jewel

Barangaroo, Sydney

A new landmark has risen out of the last of the transformed docklands that once lined the post-industrial shores of Sydney’s inner harbour. Situated on the north-western corner of the CBD, Barangaroo completes the visionary transformation that began in Darling Harbour’s Cockle Bay four decades earlier.

Photo by: Guy Wilkinson

Crown Jewel

Barangaroo, Sydney

A new landmark has risen out of the last of the transformed docklands that once lined the post-industrial shores of Sydney’s inner harbour. Situated on the north-western corner of the CBD, Barangaroo completes the visionary transformation that began in Darling Harbour’s Cockle Bay four decades earlier.

Photo by: Guy Wilkinson

The best saved for last. The jewel in the crown.

Crown Sydney has been designed not just to frame the views of Sydney Harbour’s icons, but to stand alongside them as a defining waterfront landmark of this beautiful city.

Photo by: Guy Wilkinson
Photo by: Guy Wilkinson

The location created a great contrast: a modern building that takes its inspiration from nature, standing at a confluence of the architectural history of Sydney. Contrasting neighbours stand by – The Rocks, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the CBD. Clyne Reserve, a new parkland created at the west of Walsh Bay, brings open space and new access to the harbour foreshore.

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. A pinnacle of modern design that harmoniously brings together an opulent hotel, prestigious apartments, signature restaurant and a lavish spa. 

Crown Sydney is the new sanctuary for the city by the harbour. It is also Sydney’s tallest inhabited building – at 271.3m and 72 storeys, only Sydney Tower, an observation tower, is taller at 305m.

The drafting of Crown Sydney began in 2013 when Wilkinson Eyre Architects won a prestigious design competition. Wilkinson Eyre set out to create a distinction from the orthogonal architecture of the CBD by creating a sculptural curvilinear form.

This concept is carried through from the tower to the podium where six layers of organic floor plans coalesce into a gently overhanging form, protected by vertical and curved mullions, subtly random in shape, known as The Veil. Below them, a network of glass canopies surrounds the building.

The celebration of The Veil in light would be illumination Physics’ contribution to the project – the only façade lighting employed.

Photo by: Guy Wilkinson
Photo by: Guy Wilkinson

OUR BRIEF

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.

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.

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.

Photo by: Guy Wilkinson
Photo by: Guy Wilkinson

OUR SOLUTION

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. illumination Physics is its own distributor in Australia and the inherent efficiencies are a benefit to our clients.

illumination Physics settled on two models from the range.

  • For the typical installation, 372 pieces of the illumination Physics Circular Wash Quattro 7-72, AC version with an asymmetric lens and glare shield accessory.
  • For the non-typical locations, 8 pieces of the illumination Physics Circular Wash Quattro 15140, AC version with an asymmetric lens and glare shield accessory.

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.

The fixtures would be finished in marine-grade powder coating in the precise RAL colours to match the existing architectural finishes. illumination Physics also offers custom colours without additional cost.

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Barangaroo is next to the harbour and in a salt corrosive environment; however, years of trouble-free operating life is assured. Marine-grade aluminium is used for the housing and our two-step metal double powder coating process is used for anti-corrosive performance. illumination Physics’ Circular Wash luminaires conform to ISO 9227.2017 for NSS testing (neutral salt spray). All exterior fixings use 316 stainless steel, air pressure equalising vents protect the luminaire during temperature changes and extra-clear tempered glass is used for the lens cover.

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.

illumination Physics manufactures two different lens versions for the IP Circular Wash range: Mono lens or Quattro lens. The Quattro lenses have a multi-compound optic, eliminating the scalloping problem that can occur in close grazing lighting applications. The Quattro lens helped achieve an even illumination for the Crown Project. Mock-ups were conducted on-site in early 2020 with an illumination Physics partner in attendance. 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.

A single cable is used to connect both power and data. The cables have moulded-on connectors that have a push to lock function making instant watertight connections without the use of tools, simplifying the installation and eliminating wiring faults in the field.

Photo by: Guy Wilkinson
Photo by: Guy Wilkinson

illumination Physics’ system reduces installation costs because no additional data or power management equipment is required – all power management, DMX or optional DALI functions are on board in the luminaire itself.

Up to 20 illumination Physics Circular Wash lights can be interconnected in one circuit which further helps to minimise installation costs. illumination Physics produced a full set of wiring schematics to assist the installer with their cable planning and we collaborated with NDYLIGHT and the installer regarding bracketry design.

Photos by: Guy Wilkinson

Photo by: Guy Wilkinson
Photo by: Guy Wilkinson

THE DELIVERY

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.

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.

PRODUCTS

  • 372 x IP Circular Wash Quattro 7-72W AC 3000K
    with linear spread lens, and glare shield
  • 8 x IP Circular Wash Quattro 15-140W AC 3000K
    with linear spread lens, and glare shield
  • 2 x 16m AC/Data starter cable
  • 3 x 14m AC/Data starter cable
  • 21 x 12m AC/Data starter cable
  • 20 x 10m AC/Data starter cable
  • 20 x 8m AC/Data starter cable
  • 10 x 6m AC/Data starter cable
  • 6 x 4m AC/Data starter cable
  • 46 x 4M AC/Dali interlinking cable
  • 304 x 1m linking cable
  • 15 x 0.5m linking cable