Project Name: Swanston Street

Practice Name: City of Melbourne

Project Address: 

Swanston Street, Melbourne

Demonstrate that a professional lighting design was undertaken for this project?

The Swanston Street lighting design was developed by the City of Melbourne Design team and completed by Webb Australia.

What was the main design objective for the lighting scheme?

Swanston Street light was designed to effectively light a 30M street as the street was reimagined following closure to cars. The Swanston Street Light was also designed to contribute to the civic and pedestrian character of the street, and to illuminate the trees (side way illumination).

Demonstrate how lighting complements the design of the space by day?

The Swanston Street light is hidden by trees during the day. It has been well detailed and proportioned to compliment the street by day as part of the city’s suite of street infrastructure.

Showcase how lighting enhances the use and experience of the space after dark?

During the evening the Swanston Street light slowly reveals itself and illuminates the tree canopy. This provides a safe and inviting environment. The pole, luminaire and quality of light provide subtle lighting that highlights the street as a pedestrian promenade.

Highlight lighting creativity, problem-solving and thinking-outside-the-box?

The Swanston Street light was designed to look like a pedestrian light rather than a road light. The previous Swanston Street light had a road bracket and people thought that Swanston street was a road for car users and the street was constantly criticized as result. The light is being used for other key civic spaces and street precincts of the city which are being adapted from vehicle to pedestrian.

How did you take Dark Sky considerations (prevention of lighting pollution) into account for this project?

The Swanston Street lighting is full cut off fittings. This is consistent with the City of Melbourne’s public lighting strategy.

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