Winner of the IALD 2025 Radiance Award for Lighting Design Excellence and 2025 IALD Award of Excellence
Metro Martin Place sits as the primary station for the new Sydney Metro network. The station is split between North and South concourses, linked by a variety of connections at the ground and basement levels. One of these connections includes a 67m pedestrian tunnel bored through the rock.
The lighting concept proposed two layers of light – one static and one dynamic – paired together with a series of audio soundscapes, proximity sensing and custom-built algorithmic controls platform to create an immersive experience through this unique space. The result is an organic, ethereal and personally emotive journey of light and sound.
The Architect imagined this tunnel as more than just a services link, proposing a pedestrian link providing a faster option between the North and South concourses. The length and circular form of the tunnel presented a rare opportunity for a lighting installation – but the brief was left open for interpretation.
The lighting concept proposed two layers of light, paired together with a series of soundscapes, providing an immersive experience through this unique space. The lower layer being a subtle white ‘carpet’ of light to satisfy the technical requirements of this public corridor – delivered in a way that would avoid any impact on the upper surfaces. The second layer was to transform the upper cylindrical form of the tunnel into a dynamic light canvas which worked both with the 3-dimensional form and the raw concrete textures of the space. Both sources of light would be entirely concealed from view, such that light is presented as part of the structure – as if the walls were alive.
The introduction of two bench elements provide concealment of continuous linear LED projectors to create a succinct layer of light to the floor. Above, two mirrored side ‘booms’ were designed to conceal the dynamic lighting systems and audio speakers – while a third central boom carries the essential services. Using continuous LED projectors and linear lensing technology, together with a combination of RGB+Amber sources, the walls and soffit are grazed with uninterrupted light. Through the use of DMX drivers driven by a central theatre control platform, together with PIR proximity tracking, the linear sources provide live addressable and pixelated mapping throughout the tunnel programmed to provide a personalised and interactive experience for the public.
The final step was to detail the complex programming, mapping, scenes and time-schedules to bring the space to life, as well as a series of original audio tracks to enhance each individual scene. The result is a series of ‘events’ that provide an immersive and interactive experience which, via algorithmic selection and real-time location proximity triggers, offer a unique format every time visitors move through the space – connecting them to their own personalised ‘companions’ of light and shadow.
As visitor proximity shifts throughout the day the tunnel responds like a living organism, transitioning between environments that resonate with the city’s distinctive locale & character. At sunrise and sunset, the tunnel responds with it’s own rendition of the sky above, accompanied by an ambient score. The design also allows for temporary art commissions to be programmed into the tunnel on a rotating basis.
The combination of light, colour, sound and live interactivity create an escape from the bustle of adjacent platforms and city above with an unexpected space of wonder, imagination and art.
Lighting Design: Electrolight (Donn Salisbury, Nick Lee, Rosa Arcaya)
Architect: Grimshaw Architects
Audio Engineers: ARUP
Sound Artist: Otto Reitano
Lighting Controls Supplier: Xenian
Lighting Controls Software Programmer: iion / David Hayes
Lighting Suppliers: Philips Colour Kinetics, iGuzzini
Images: Rohan Venn Photography
Builder: Lendlease
Electrical Contractor: FIP Electrical
Client: Macquarie Group
Site Address: 1 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000
