Lighting Christchurch recognised as third stage of the CBD regeneration

An award-winning designer says the third stage of Christchurch’s regeneration has begun and Christchurch could be a unique destination in Australasia if every building in the CBD’s regeneration had its own customized lighting design.

Kevin Cawley, of Christchurch's Lighting Design, says, “The recently awarded lighting of the Christchurch Casino, the restored Isaac Theatre Royal and the Mackenzie and Willis facade, show the exciting and creative night lights of Christchurch are coming back.”

He was thrilled that his new lighting design of the Christchurch Casino was recognised at the recent Master Electricians Excellence Awards (25.08.17) with Aotea Electric Canterbury winning the LCNZ Lighting Award for the lighting installation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHyoay4g0TQ&feature=youtu.be

Judges praised Aotea for its faultless completion of such a challenging project, noting: “You’ve illuminated Christchurch, and enlightened all of us.”

Christchurch Casino CEO Brett Anderson and the board of the Casino are all committed to revitalizing the city centre and we are honoured that our casino has been formally recognised.

Since it was first opened, lighting has always been a significant feature of the night time experience used to identify its location.

Brett says, “We wanted to send a strong message that not only was the Christchurch Casino open for business but so was Christchurch and in particular Victoria Street.

The vision for commissioning the design was to give a new accent on the building's design and appearance while lifting the surrounding area and attracting people back into the city centre.

We wanted the lighting to be programmable so we could use it to promote causes/charities/significant days and our own promotions.”

Since the new lighting has been switched on, Brett is blown away.

“If I stand on the corner now, the new lighting has changed and revitalized the building design.

Now, it is an experience and photos simply don’t do it justice. It has exceeded both mine and more importantly the Boards expectations,” says Brett.

Kevin Cawley says, “The Christchurch Casino is a visual symphony of programmable light.

The Casino and Isaac Theatre Royal show how we can now program the light and colour to accent the design feature of any building at night, old or new.”

Kevin believes Christchurch would be unique in Australasia if every building in the CBD regeneration plan had its own customized lighting design.

Kevin says, “Having good lighting design is not confined just to Christchurch. He believes that every civic space and individual building anywhere in New Zealand can have its own unique lighting design that emphasises its special character.

We can do this now, we have the technology and expertise, as Aotea Electric has demonstrated. However, insofar as Christchurch is concerned, Kevin believes a greater effort must be taken to creatively light more of the city’s buildings and civic spaces.”

To achieve this Kevin says, “This will require leadership and a commitment from the business and property owners, architects, designers, Christchurch City Council and the Crown agencies involved in the regeneration of Christchurch.

We have a fantastic opportunity by creatively illuminating Christchurch as a shining light to the rest of the world and demonstrating what can be achieved when rebuilding a city.

I do hope that this will become a reality because there is a real possibility for Christchurch to not only be the Garden City but also to become the City of Light.”

ENDS

Press Release from Master Electricians Excellence Awards 2017, announced at the Langham Hotel in Auckland on the 25 August 2017

http://business.scoop.co.nz/2017/08/26/electrical-industry-oscars-announced/

Kevin Cawley: Further comments on the Christchurch Casino project

“At the start of any project there needs to be a team capable of achieving the task of this magnitude and Aotea Electrical was the obvious choice.

Tim Kennedy from Aotea Electrical led a dedicated team of lighting specialists that had the required experience, dedication and commitment for this highly challenging project, which took 18 months of meticulous planning.

The attention to detail was critical; particularly to focus over 250 fittings and getting the precision needed was paramount to the finished look of the design and the final effect.”

About Aotea Electric

From small beginnings in Dunedin over 25 years ago Aotea Electric has now developed a workforce in excess of 750 paid employees in 19 branches around New Zealand. Aotea Electric’s strategy is to be the first truly national service provider for electrical contracting, security alarms and camera systems, and communications soloutions. For more see: https://www.aoteaelectric.co.nz/

Kevin Cawley: Comments on lighting the Isaac Theatre Royal

“When the theatre is 'dark', in other words when there is nothing happening, there is light on the facade that accentuates the architecture and shows it off in all its glory and splendour.

The lights can be customised depending on the resident show, enticing passing patrons by beginning to tell a story before they enter the building

Changing the colour of the lighting at the Isaac Theatre Royal gives the building a voice of its own.

Starting my career as an actor on stage, I transitioned into lighting design was inspired by feeling really special when standing in the warmth of the spotlight.

Lighting a building is very similar to lighting a stage, something I have learnt during my 25 years in the industry, and working on the Isaac Theatre Royal was the perfect opportunity to use my theatrical lighting design skills.

It's all about light and shade, rather than illuminating the whole space.

You need to create some mystery to accentuate the beauty of a building, especially of the Isaac Theatre Royal because it's just a magnificent historical piece of architecture.”

Kevin Cawley Awards:

• In October 2012 – won an Award for Excellence at the Illumination Engineering Society Award for his work on the Knox Church.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/7872553/Knox-lighting-wins-design-award

• In January 2013 – recognised for his light display at the Pallet Pavilion, an outdoor performance venue built by Gap Filler on the former Crowne Plaza site.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8201795/Town-lit-up-by-winning-designer

• In November 2015 - won a Design Award at the Illumination Engineering Society (IES) Awards in Auckland and recognised for giving the theatre a voice of its own.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/art-and-stage/73862630/isaac-theatre-royal-shines-bright

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