Bespoke Lights an Artisanal Touch at 39 Martin Place
Sydney Metro is Australia’s biggest public transport project, and 39 Martin Place is a public transport-led precinct from the Macquarie Group which incorporates office buildings, retail, and the metro station.
Tzannes architectural studio designed the precinct with construction by Lendlease. The development sits directly opposite the heritage-listed Commonwealth Bank building and 39 Martin Place features the same Finnish granite and its undulating columns echo the bank’s façade.
The contemporary building is more open in design with three street frontages of double-storey glass. Di Emme worked with lighting consultants, Electrolight, to deliver bespoke lighting which is visible to passersby on Elizabeth and Castlereagh Streets, and Martin Place.
The Electrolight concept was a series of rings with stone diffusers complementing the materiality of the heritage neighbours. Di Emme worked through the design development providing drawings, prototypes and costings. After a number of design iterations the final design and construction method was approved by all stakeholders.
Electrolight wanted a handcrafted artisan element in the high-tech space, so each ring is comprised of domino-like marble tiles placed in an aluminium channel. Some rings have the tiles on the inside and some have the tiles facing out.
Devising a method for suspending the rings from a ceiling full of services was a challenge. Di Emme produced prototypes and drawings to ensure the method would be aesthetically and architecturally sound. The final design has the vertical rods attached to fixing plates in the ceiling with a bridging element spanning the numerous above-ceiling services. The rings were then added in sequence and installed on the rods at precise connection points.
The Di Emme team worked with several client project managers throughout the lengthy project and were onsite for handover and to supervise the installation.
The finished lights bring an artisanal approach to the foyer of 39 Martin Place and carry the creativity of Sydney Metro’s public art into the commercial space.