Local Legacy: Geelong Arts Centre

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The Geelong Arts Centre (GAC) has seen many professional and budding artists through it. Previously exclusive to the performing arts, the building opened up to all different art forms. It was a busy hub of creative going-ons around and a treasure among the Geelong community.

Once concealed by old shops, the Ryrie Street entrance opened up by Hassell Architects once the shops were demolished to showcase a heritage church. AECOM were engaged as the electrical engineers for the Stage 2 development of GAC, with the goal to reach local businesses to participate in renovating this iconic building. It was fitting that Bluelab Design, with our accumulated experience in feature lighting and community building, to be reached out to.

The foyer featured a mesh ceiling which Bluelab utilized as part of the lighting feature. Large LED disks of various sizes were specified to be suspended behind the mesh ceiling, creating a beautiful cascade of light through the feature mesh, reminiscent of a theatre gel.

It also softly highlighted other feature elements in the foyer including the heritage church wall exposed throughout the theatre. Inground up-lights add drama to the heritage bluestone walls and the soft flowing adjacent timber walls. The combination of low glare and wide-beam downlights highlight the lift lobbies.

One of the arts that the GAC cater for is dancing. They have beautiful large studios with high ceilings and tall windows; they are flooded with natural daylight.

The lighting required efficient high output fittings that could be installed on a high ceiling. Linear luminaires were recessed into the ceiling with a custom powder coat to create an immaculate finish.

Photography: Rory Gardner