PEOPLE

WE-EF asked Richard Bracebridge, the director of Light Works, Auckland about the Bastion Point project.


Q. Is there a design element that you feel worked particularly well? If yes, which one and why?

A. The very sharp cut-off narrow beam really hit the mark in framing the medallions. I think the combination of a very small 12 W FLC121 LED projector with snoot and remote power supply also helped the luminaires disappear after dark. This combination gives the art a life of its own. The medallions themselves disembodied lanterns.


Q. What was the biggest challenge?

A. The biggest challenge was finding the correct location for the minimum number of poles to light 5 medallions. In the end we used two poles with a 3/2 split of projectors with shared power supplies. We wanted to create texture on the medallions inlayed stones by hitting them at an angle. This angle couldn’t be too great as we wanted to avoid glare to the adjacent road and bus stop. We also worked out the height of the luminaire on the pole so that the beam angle best matched the diameter of the medallion at ground level. The final pole locations were in the tree line adjoining the grassed area taking them out of the central garden. The projectors and pole painted black to dissolve them visually into the trees at night.


Q. How would you describe the final project result?

A. I am very happy with the result. Although it was a relatively small project it came with a number of tricky light technical challenges. It was a honour to be asked to light this significant art installation by Auckland Council and I think it really adds something special to what was a small unused grassed area at the base of Bastion Point. Receiving a Dark Sky award at the ASNZIES Lighting Awards gala night was also great for the team at Light Works in Auckland.