Invercargill Central development wins lighting award

“This award acknowledges the considered work of the team, maintaining the historical integrity of our city whilst also embracing innovative design."

Lighting on the outside of the Invercargill Central development in Tay St.

The Invercargill Central exterior lighting scheme has won the NZ Chapter Award of Commendation from IES: The Lighting Society (IESANZ) for 2023.

Standout features of Cosgroves, Buchan and Energylight’s lighting design include unique lighting solutions for each of the preserved architectural façades of The Southland Times, Cambridge, and Coxhead buildings on Esk Street and feature lighting representing the Southern Lights, illuminating the Kaynemaile architectural mesh on the Tay Street side.

Project Director, Geoff Cotton, says the award acknowledges the importance of the project in creating a heart to our city.

“Evan and the team at Cosgroves have understood and embraced the significance of this project for Invercargill and its part in the transformation of our central business district,” he said.

“This award acknowledges the considered work of the team, maintaining the historical integrity of our city whilst also embracing innovative design to meld the old with the new,” Cotton said.

The Coxhead facade lit up in Esk St.

Stretching almost two entire city blocks, the Invercargill Central project gave electrical engineers, Cosgroves and architects, Buchan Group, the opportunity to transform the streetscape, complementing the mix of heritage and contemporary façades and creating a dynamic lighting display.

Cosgroves Associate Electrical Engineer and lead on the Invercargill Central project, Evan Owens was particularly pleased with the lighting result on the Tay Street façade.

“The Tay Street feature provided unique challenges. Being a New Zealand based manufacturer, we were able to work closely with Kaynemaile, experimenting with different colours of mesh and the impact of lighting on them to find a way to successfully pay tribute to the Southern Lights. It was crucial to strike a balance between the functionality of the car park and safety for the users while allowing the dynamic lighting display to shine,” he said.

“We think the final result is pretty special, paying homage to the unique natural wonders found in Southern New Zealand,” Owens said.

Lighting on the outside of Invercargill Central in Tay St.

Invercargill Central opened in stages, the first in July 2022. Thirty-eight stores are now open at Invercargill Central, including nine eateries and anchor tenants, Farmers and Reading Cinemas. JB Hi-Fi is scheduled to open in January 2024.

Client: Invercargill Central

Electrical Engineer: Cosgroves – Evan Owens

Electrical Contractor: Nind Electrical

Lighting Supplier: Energylight, MHL, ECC Lighting

Controls Supplier: Holders Technology, Philips

Lighting Manufacturer: Lumenpulse, iGuzzini, Trilux, IBL, Castaldi

Controls Manufacturer: Pharos, Dynlalite