6 May 2016

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The design team behind lighting the Sydney Opera House have presented their ideas for illuminating Christchurch's Botanic Gardens.

World-renowned lighting designer Emrah Baki Ulas, and a team of designers from Sydney-based Steensen Varming, last night demonstrated the initial concepts for a $780,000 lighting project for the Botanic Gardens.

Christchurch City Council Head of Parks Andrew Rutledge said permanent creative lighting installations in the Gardens would bring the area to life after dark.
"Emrah, and his team at Steensen Varming, were chosen through a tender process for their global experience lighting monuments, heritage sites and public spaces. They were stand-outs in creating not just light, but an experience," Mr Rutledge said.

"Last night we previewed some of the concepts Steensen Varming has developed - giving us a taste of the lights in the Rolleston Ave, Armstrong Lawn area of the Gardens. It was an opportunity to discuss the ideas with our designer and provide some feedback. This will help shape his design for release of the public consultation programme. Images of the trials will be displayed within the Gardens so that the wider public can also provide feedback.”

Mr Rutledge said the lights were part of a lighting renewal project at the Gardens. While the Peacock Fountain was currently lit, many of the other lighting effects in the area had become redundant.

Mr Baki Ulas said part of the project was using darkness, as much as light. 

"In today’s light-polluted urban environments, darkness is often a rare find and we need to use light mindfully. Remembering light needs darkness, as darkness needs light. On the one hand we have a task of creating a spectacle at night, on the other hand making it sustainable and subtle. And then there is the necessity to conceal the technology, so it is non-obtrusive during the day.

"It goes without saying though, people-focus is the centre of it all; to design lighting that supports a safe, comfortable, enjoyable environment."

Mr Baki Ulas said Christchurch's Botanic Gardens were rightfully a source of pride. 

"It is a wonderful public space to visit or spend time during the day. It is vital for the quality of life in the city, and to the experience of its visitors. We would like to enhance its beauty at night and give people the opportunity to experience it differently in the dark hours. We are very privileged to be appointed to this project and to be working with a dedicated team at the Christchurch City Council."

Steensen Varming has global experience in lighting public spaces, including writing the lighting masterplan for the Sydney Opera House. 

Construction of the Gardens lighting project is expected to begin early next year, and be completed before the end of summer 2017. The lighting will be visible from Rolleston Ave and the Canterbury Museum.