ewo Illuminates the Elwood Foreshore in Melbourne
The suburb of Elwood in the South Australian metropolis of Melbourne is located directly on the large bay of Port Philip. The Elwood Foreshore promenade is characterized by a southwest-facing and gently curved coastline, which is actively used, especially in the evenings, by strollers and recreational athletes. Against this background, the City of Port Phillip commissioned lighting designer Simon Gullifer to revise the lighting along the trail accessible for cyclists and walkers.
Complex Requirements for the Protection of Nature and the Night Sky
When tendering the project, the client paid particular attention to the synthesis of human and natural requirements. On the one hand, a pleasant and safer environment was to be created for the users of the walkway and viewpoint, especially in the evening and night hours, and on the other hand, the light was to be precisely directed so that the native plants and the sea were not affected by stray light. In addition, requirements for a Dark Sky Approved lighting system were to be met, and a conversion to more modern LED technology was to further reduce the energy consumption of the lighting solution. In addition, the new luminaires were to be installed on existing poles in order to continue using existing infrastructures sustainably and to keep project costs low.
ewo F–System XS Convinces Planners and Clients
The planner responded to these complex requirements by selecting and evaluating luminaires from eight different manufacturers in order to provide the client with a transparent market overview. In doing so, the ewo F–System XS was favored for implementation due to its convincing performance parameters and the minimalist aesthetics of the product. Particularly decisive were the precise lighting technology, which met the requirement of stray light avoidance, and the ADSA certification of the luminaires. The luminaire is approved according to the strict requirements of the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance for projects with particularly high requirements for the protection of the night sky. In addition, the client was impressed by ewoECP (ewo Extreme Corrosion Protection), which permanently protects the luminaires against corrosion even in the highly saline atmosphere of the coastal strip. A customer-specific mounting bracket also ensured that the luminaires could be used on the existing poles.
ewo supplied a total of 77 ADSA Approved pole-top luminaires of the type F–System F1 XS, all equipped with A–Series lenses. The project was also distinguished by its smart lighting aspect: each luminaire was equipped with an integrated infrared motion sensor to turn the light up to 100% only when presence is detected. Otherwise, the entire system is dimmed to 50% to save energy and minimize light emissions.
The lighting system is also in line with the principles of the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance (ADSA): the F–System pole-top luminaires are equipped with 3000K Warm White LEDs to mitigate the effect of blue light on wildlife as well as optics that meet the ADSA requirements. The so-called "Front and Back Very High Uplight" (FVH & BVH) must remain below the critical limit of 2% and at the same time the "Upward Waste Light" must be 0%. This ensures that no direct light from the luminaire shines into the sky.
empowering wellbeing outdoors: Technical Excellence Leads to Quality of Stay
For ewo, this challenging project provided the opportunity to convince the planner and client with a sustainable solution. The combination of differentiated lighting technology, robust construction, smart control and the ability to respond to individual customer needs was decisive. Much more important for the people on site, however, is the new quality that this special coastal strip has gained. Good orientation with minimized glare ensures a feeling of security and makes it possible to enjoy the proximity to the sea even after dusk. We call this "empowering wellbeing outdoors".
Client: City of Port Phillip
Lighting Designer: Simon Gullifer
Product: F–System XS A–Series
Completion: 2024