PointOfView has designed a sensational new bespoke tailored lighting solution to refresh the lobby areas of one of Sydney's most iconic buildings, Chifley Tower, originally designed by renowned New York based architects KPF.
"Chifley Tower has such a strong aesthetic," said Mark Elliott, Principal of PointOfView, "it required not only sensational lighting to rejuvenate it, we designed the fittings to light it with. A totally bespoke solution."
The initiation of concepts began with round after round of thorough research into the development of other respected, art deco buildings including the Chrysler, searching for the inspiration that would help move Chifley Tower well and truly into the 21st Century and cement its credentials as a premier building long into the future.
The palette of materials used in the foyer in the original KPF design included a collage of exquisite stones, marbles and granites, with stainless steel detailing. "We had to freshen the space during the day," said Elliott, "to enhance the daylight ingress, while at the same time creating a much more dramatic, after dark appearance. It can not be too strongly stated that whatever we designed, had to match perfectly, the existing architecture."
"Fundamental to the design of this bespoke lighting solution was understanding the scale, proportion and detailing of the building. We couldn't create the relevant symmetry or rhythm without utilizing this language," added Amara Clarke, Senior Designer at PointOfView.
"We washed the foyer's rear wall to draw the eye through the full height of the glazing and into the interior. By bouncing light off the walls we dramatically lit the space and together with up lighting to the ceiling, created a sense of volume," continued Elliott.
Existing, suspended square light fixtures in the wing shaped lobby were felt to be under scaled and awkward. PointOfView custom designed a series of stainless steel rings to provide up light to the ceiling during the day and focused down light at night. It was so critical to match the materiality of the custom fittings to the existing stainless steel detail that the grade of the steel and the weight and direction of the brushing was tested until a perfect match was found. A custom cluster of pendants was designed and suspended over the reception desk to anchor it and give visitors a point of destination.
A new, architecturally integrated stainless steel beam was strapped through the lift lobbies to connect existing lateral beams. The new beam housed up lighting to lift the ceiling and wash light across the stone wall cladding while down lighting enhanced the diamond pattern in the stone floors.