PEDESTRIAN, ACCENT, UPLIGHTING

Intuitive design helps Monash to reinvent the university landscape

Monash University, Caulfield, VIC

As the role and function of Monash University has changed in recent decades, its localities have evolved into more interactive and vibrant places. The award-winning design for Monash University’s Caulfield campus is at the forefront of this type of design aesthetic, which invites people to study, socialise, recreate and be nourished.

Involved in the masterplan for the Monash University Caulfield campus, lighting design practice Electrolight was able to contribute to the key drivers for illumination of the project. Working alongside landscape architects Taylor Cullity Leathlean (TCL), the team from Electrolight determined that safety and 24/7 activation of the space were primary concerns. Finally, the lighting design needed to promote excellence not only in design, but also sustainability through the use of the latest technologies and techniques.

The Head of Design at Electrolight, Jess Perry explained that “creating a high-quality urban realm with memorable and distinctive landscapes”, was a priority.

“TCL’s design has transformed the previous campus landscape into a series of defined zones that offer students spaces for the exchange of ideas, socialisation, imagination and reflection,” said Jess. “The lighting design has been developed to seamlessly integrate with the landscape as well as enhance the night-time user experience by using illumination to craft a journey through the campus.”

Artful illumination of the main thoroughfares and night-time breakout areas provides intuitive links throughout the campus. The new event lawn and associated terrace is now the centre-piece of the campus. The slightly sunken lawn is a platform for organised events throughout the year, as well as a green respite from the busy road network. A central water spine, which is actually a storm water treatment and harvesting system, reflects the work done by Monash University on water-sensitive cities, while also recalling the original wetlands that occupied the area.

The primary elements that made up the Monash University Caulfield campus project were:
– The Walks – two walkways that provide links through the campus;
– The Water Feature – a strong landscape element that borders one the main Walks;
– The Terrace – a deck area with plantings, which provides a causal breakout and eating zone;
– The Green – a reasonably large grassed area used for casual activities;
– The Field – a dedicated multi-use sports area with bright blue rebound ace and basketball half-courts, badminton and foosball tables.

Functional lighting was a requirement for The Walk, Terrace and Field areas and highly-efficient luminaires using the latest in LED technology were used to provide the required light levels. WE-EF RFL530 luminaires, supplied by Buckford Illumination Group, were mounted in a back-to-back arrangement, with [S70] side-throw optical lenses, to illuminate the pathways. The [A60] forward-throw lens was used to light a portion of the sports field. An array of FLC121 LED projectors was discretely located above building parapets to illuminate smaller pathways, while ETC340 LED inground uplights illuminated selected feature trees.

“The recreational sports area was successful in that the lighting infrastructure formed part of the landscape rather than being traditional four poles per activity approach,” explained Jess. “We were able to move away from a more traditional technique, as we had the support of the client for a more theatrical lighting approach rather than a flood-lit one. The lighting design for The Field needed to capture an element of fun and activity. This was achieved by designing a series of bright blue bespoke light poles (to match the rebound ace), which rise out of the ground and then angle quite sharply to the side,” he said.

Alternating light poles have varying tilts, and together they give the impression of movement. Customised bright blue WE-EF FLC141 LED projectors with glare shields were theatrically fixed to the angled poles to provide functional illumination. “Feature lighting was selectively employed for special elements such as feature landscaping, defining deck edges and water feature illumination. These lighting elements were necessary to enhance the user experience and help meet the key drivers outlined in the lighting masterplan,” Jess Perry explained.

Inground ETC340 LED luminaires were used to effectively highlight and enhance the texture of the cladding of the sound-shell structure that forms part of the landscape. The ETC300 LED inground luminaire family comes with a wide range of optical accessories, including IO-20 LED wallwash and IO-180 linear spread lenses.

“The reason we selected the WE-EF products was because we wanted to use a family of luminaires to ensure colour consistency, and WE-EF offers an expansive range of exterior products that suited our requirements,” Jess Perry noted.

The implemented lighting scheme by Electrolight enhances TCL’s landscape design, which establishes connectivity between the surrounding campus buildings and transport hubs while providing ample ground for the gamut of activities requiring outdoor space.