Quadrant Mall

Lighting for the Quadrant Mall in Launceston

Launceston is the second-largest city in Tasmania after Hobart. The Cataract Gorge, lakes, waterfalls, and walking trails in close proximity are popular attractions for tourists, but Launceston is also appreciated for its original charm, characterized by Victorian buildings and beautiful parks. With the "City Heart Project," the city council is currently aiming to transform the area into an even livelier business, retail, and lifestyle hub in northern Tasmania. Various construction projects are enhancing the downtown area, attracting both locals and visitors for leisure and shopping.

A subproject of the "City Heart Project" was the renovation of the Quadrant Mall. In the shopping district, which consists of several streets, pipelines were re-laid, the ground was paved with graphic patterns, planters, fountains, and umbrellas were installed, and even three small stages for events and shows were built. As a result, the Quadrant Mall now presents itself as an attractive urban space, with inviting open areas flanked by retail, restaurants, and clubs.

A very important function at this location, particularly on weekends when it is used late into the night, is the lighting. For the Quadrant Mall, CFT540 LED pole lights were used, and for the adjacent laneway, the RMC320 LED. Energy efficiency, low maintenance costs, and long lifespans were key criteria in the selection of the luminaires. However, the WE-EF-specific OLC lens technology (One LED Concept) also proved convincing with its very precise light distribution. Thanks to this, the pedestrian zone can be brightly illuminated without glare, while avoiding light spill that could disturb residents in the nearby apartments.

To further reduce unnecessary light emissions, WE-EF integrated motion sensors into the luminaires. If no one is within the vicinity of a light, it is dimmed to 50%. As a passerby approaches—regardless of the direction—the light output is increased in time, ensuring safety and visual comfort at all times. Compared to the previous solution with 100-watt halogen metal halide lamps, the new LED luminaires with presence-dependent lighting control, combined with the elimination of regular lamp changes, will generate financial benefits for many years to come. Aesthetic considerations also played a role in the selection of the luminaires. The round and semi-round lights blend perfectly with the circular paving areas, planters, and fountains. Their clean, minimalist design adds a modern touch, and by reducing the number of luminaires compared to the previous solution, the pedestrian zone now appears more spacious.

Credits

Client: City of Launceston, www.launceston.tas.gov.au Lighting Design: Engineering Solutions Tasmania http://estas.com.au/ Distributor: www.southernlighting.com.au Photos: Jackie Chan for WE-EF