CityLink Sound Tube, Melbourne, Australia
Light Project luminaires add a colourful, vibrant element to one of Melbourne’s most heavily used roads.
An illuminating upgrade to the CityLink’s Sound Tube in Australia delivers a modern transitional portal to the city of Melbourne. City drivers are rewarded with a drive-through experience of both architecture and lighting. Electrolight was engaged by Transurban to transform the iconic bridge, designed by Architects Denton Corker Marshall more than 20 years ago.
The design explored lighting opportunities to enhance and articulate the existing portal structure while using the latest in lighting technology to transform the static structure into a dynamic user experience.
“Our design vision was for a lighting scheme that would transform the CityLink Sound Tube at night by highlighting its architectural features,” said Jess Perry of Eletrolight.
As part of the client brief there was a request to utilise colour to create content calling for a highly controllable product solution with small aperture to conceal itself within the existing structure. Other challenges presented throughout the project were linked to the harsh environment, physical installation restraints, the need for consideration of safe and efficient maintenance practices as well as the use of pre-existing centralised control along with other infrastructure assets through a fibre optic backbone.
The solution took into consideration all the above requirements and now activates the Sound Tube at night by highlighting its striking architectural and repetitive structural language.
Clear Lighting’s RGB Flexglo F22 provided the perfect product solution with its small 16mm x 16mm form factor, suitability for installation in the harsh freeway environment and infinite selection of colours and combinations, allowing for themed content throughout the year.
The execution of the design transforms the portal from iconic architecture to a clever branding device for the client, celebrating major Melbourne and global events through light and colour; presenting itself as a true welcome gateway, building wonder and excitement as you pass through the tunnel and out into the city beyond.
The CityLink-Tullamarine corridor is one of Melbourne’s most heavily used roads, carrying about 210,000 vehicles a day in its busiest section.
