Christchurch Botanic Gardens hold an important place in Christchurch’s urban framework, its heritage and its history, and are considered to be of international significance. The creative architectural lighting design will establish the unique identity of the gardens in the nighttime context of city, adding a different dimension and new perspective to the experience of those visiting the gardens.
The first installation focuses on the ‘front of house’ to invite the curiosity of both locals and visitors from the main public vista. A custom luminaire family is under development responding to the combined requirements of the planter beds, signage and tree lighting with the form being derived from the golden ration; a pattern expressed through many plants in nature. Innovative control allows for seasonal changes in lighting, bringing in an element of time into the lighting design and highlights the various outstanding features of trees and flowers throughout the seasons.