Lightemotion Illuminates The Treasured Auckland War Memorial Museum Like a Jewel In The Night

Montréal, October 30, 2009

Lightemotion, an international Lighting design firm based in Canada, has completed the all-new LED light design for New Zealand’s Auckland Museum. The installation coincides with the Museum’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of its building on October 30th.

For this classic illumination, the Museum, along with its governing heritage authority, approved an all-LED environmental design that sets the historic location aglow like a jewel in the night. With roughly 400 LED fixtures, the entire structure is elegantly illuminated like a beacon in the night within one of Auckland’s precious green spaces, The Domain, utilizing between 50 and 74 watts per unit, totalling only 1% of the building’s annual energy consumption.

Beginning its classical illumination at the structure’s base, a golden hue climbs the building’s surface in a warm golden tone, intricately leading to the top, where its detailed cornice is finely illuminated, creating a visual effect that is reputed to be one of the most progressive LED installations in New Zealand. The Lighting scheme will evolve throughout the course of the evening to three special compositions. 

Lightemotion founder, François Roupinian, ensured the project’s feasibility in terms of energy consumption. 

“Of particular importance was the impact of such an endeavour on the protected heritage property. Because of the Museum and its discerning pedigree, a design that was traditional yet adaptable was necessary,” explains Mr. Roupinian. “In consideration that the location is regularly used for special and private events, the external lighting color scheme may be programmed to create the ambience for whichever event or special national event may be taking place.”

Part of this rejuvenation project was to also include a design for the Museum’s Grand Foyer. Here, the open sky lit space is adorned with giant neo-classical columns which have been illuminated, creating an effect which makes their presence stunningly dramatic with an imposing quality that enhances the aesthetic, and brings another dimension to this already rich and diverse building steeped in New Zealand’s history. 

Lightemotion’s commitment to this project has contributed to enhancing the architectural highlights of this greatly honoured and distinguished Auckland institution.