The Wesley Place precinct represents an entirely new versatile area within the City of Melbourne. The vision of Charter Hall to combine, open out and develop the space (combined with the architectural vision from COX Architecture) has created an inviting public and commercial space in an area that was previously largely unused, or an old car park.

Set within this dynamic precinct is 130 Lonsdale Street, a new build 35 storey premium grade tower that links to existing heritage buildings.

NDYLIGHT collaborated with COX and precinct strategy designer Oculus to develop an integrated lighting solution for the tower’s foyer and end-of-trip facilities, as well as the precinct’s public realm connecting 130 Lonsdale Street to the open precinct space and its Lonsdale Street frontage. Key within this public realm is Wesley Church and a series of other heritage listed buildings including the Former Manse, Caretaker’s Cottage and the Former School House.

The lighting approach to the foyer space, which wraps sinuously around the heritage listed Caretakers Cottage, was to use concealed lighting in the coffered ceilings combined with linear lighting to wash down its limestone clad core walls.

This setup creates a soft, ambient light in the foyer, visible through its glazed facades. The concealed lighting illuminates the plants within the foyer, drawing people’s attention from outside through the glass to make the foyer seem more open and connected to the outdoor landscape.

The lighting to the public realm continues this theme, with lighting levels gradually diminishing in a smooth transition further away from the building envelope. Local lighting highlights the main columns of Wesley Church and discrete lighting illuminates the heritage buildings, connecting them to the foyer. Additionally, low-level lighting for seating and plants creates a welcoming, people-friendly atmosphere.