The Architect crafted a built form that speaks to the honesty of space and materiality. The combination of volumes provide functionality and purpose, through simple forms and basic materials that are unapologetic in their presence.
Light follows the form and vision for a connection between space, material and human interaction. The application of light is deliberate and unforced, designed to speak to the building and it’s occupants without trying too hard to be featured or embellished. The result is one of restraint and pragmatic functionality – with a delicate simplicity with a strong minimalistic character.
From the outside, the building appears as a structural shell with an inner glow visible only through the few subtle openings. Each cavity is given a distinctive light treatment to provide only the reflected luminance of a lantern. The primary exhibition spaces have been provided lighting which is part of the built form, ingrained into the internal linings. The ‘cross-hair’ arrangement of lighting resonates with the Powerhouse focus on technical design. This same theme is reflected in the level below, where the administration teams are located. Throughout the workspaces and circulation areas, lighting is delivered as part of the structure, creating illuminated layers between the hard opaque and transparent mesh surfaces. Lighting is applied to reveal the inner organs of the building as a deliberate expression of the core existence of the Discovery Centre.
The series of storage spaces are designed to act as semi-public display volumes, allowing visitors to explore the extensive collection between formal exhibitions. Lighting is efficient and functional, but applied to benefit the viewers from the few vantage points. The VLO (Very Large Object) storage space appears as a lit volume, but lighting is hidden amongst the structure – drawing focus to the future collection items such as heritage locomotives, aircraft and spacecraft.
The Level 1 corridor that links the collection storage areas displays a uniquely exaggerated length – offering a unique opportunity to play on perception via perspective through the use of light. The resulting design of the light-art piece, aptly named ‘Perception of Perfection’, looks to capture an abstract visual journey within an otherwise nondescript space – with the focus light source being representative of 2x of the life-cycles of a star. Each life-cycle journey represents the 5x ‘Phases’ a star takes through it’s life from beginning to end. The dark reflective nature of the corridor finishes were introduced to capture and amplify focus on the end-point as they react directly to the changing light source relative to your position. As you move closer to the source, what appears as a perfect circle on the end wall reveals itself as an ellipse (or rather something not so perfect), borrowing from the length of the corridor and the angled wall – guiding you into the adjacent corridor.
There are a number of proximity sensors that allow the ‘runway’ lighting to turn on progressively as you walk through, so the full impact of the ‘Star’ remains the focus. It’s approximately a 1 minute journey at walking pace, allowing the transition through at least one phase when travelling from South to North.
Thoughtful lighting controls provide a simple and low-complexity experience on a day-to-day basis. The entire building sits on a centrally controlled DALI platform, allowing full and automated control from a centralised system. This allows the building to switch between it’s varied personalities.
Architect: Lahz Nimmo
Client: Powerhouse Museum, MAAS
Landscape Architect: Aspect Studio
