"LUMOS" The Caylx

Lumos: Let Nature Glow After Dark

Client

The Caylx

Duration

3 weeks

Role

Researcher,

Interaction designer,

Tools

Figma, Rhino

Project Description

The final lighting concept, “Lumos,” enhances The Calyx’s exterior with purposeful illumination that highlights architecture, ensures safety, and supports evening events. Inspired by natural growth cycles, the design includes:


  • Night Mode: A soft, rhythmic glow encourages quiet exploration after dusk.


  • Conservation Mode: After hours, lights dim to a restful state, reflecting stillness and protection.


  • Event Mode: Dynamic lighting energizes the space, transforming it into a vibrant event venue.


Together, these modes reflect a calming rhythm of care, renewal, and connection to nature.

Objective

To enhance The Calyx’s nighttime experience through a thoughtful lighting strategy that improves visibility, supports diverse events, and deepens the connection between architecture and nature.

Design Challenge

Design a flexible, low-impact lighting system that addresses the current lack of exterior illumination, adapts to multiple functions, and respects the site’s open, botanical character.

light Installation

  • In-ground Uplighting

    Interactive LED Panels

    Overhead Track Lighting

    Indoor Track Lighting

    Outdoor

    In-ground Uplighting: Provides foundational lighting around the structure, maintaining ambient visibility at night (existing).

    Interactive LED Panels: Positioned on column interiors, creating responsive visual effects for enhanced guest interaction.

    Overhead Track Lighting: Installed along the inner circular structure, offering adjustable lighting for both subtle ambiance and dynamic event illumination.

    IP Rating: All outdoor fixtures are IP65+, providing resistance to dust and water, ensuring reliability in outdoor environments.


    Indoor (Glasshouse)

    Track Lighting: Adjustable lighting for exhibitions, enhancing display visibility and visual impact (existing).

    Lighting Setup

    In-ground Uplighting

    Side View of In-Ground Uplighting Installation

    Top View of LED Panel Installation

    Interactive LED Panel

    Lighting Layout

    Side View of Track Lighting Structure

    Track Lighting

Solution Demostration

Design Process

Site Overview

  • (Image source: https://jadecross.com.au/projects/the-calyx/)

    Established in 2016 to mark the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney’s 200th anniversary.

    • Originally known as the 'Pyramid Glasshouse', opened in 1972 to showcase tropical plants.

    • Served as a major attraction for over 40 years as part of the Tropical Centre, alongside the Arc, designed by Ken Woolley.

    • Safety and accessibility issues later arose due to maintenance challenges.

    • In 2015, a design competition led to the creation of the Calyx, developed by PTW and Cockram, incorporating the existing Arc to support community use and enhanced functionality.

    History of Caylx

    • Name Meaning:
      Calyx means protection and growth, symbolizing its botanical role.

    • Purpose & Function:
      Renovated to host interactive horticultural events and support the Garden’s mission.

    • Community Engagement:
      Hosted 123 events (2022–23), engaging diverse visitors.

    • Design Integration:
      Features a green wall, indoor-outdoor flow, and central “iris” space.

    • Site Adaptation:
      Original pond removed due to heavy rainfall; replaced with a planted ring to improve usability and showcase relocated cycads.

    Calyx Today

  • The white steel columns form a circular walkway and canopy, creating an open, light-filled space that blurs the boundary between architecture and nature. This design highlights the surrounding greenery and enhances harmony with the environment.

    Structure and Material

    (Image source: https://www.theeventroom.com.au/venue-spotlight/venue-spotlight-sydney-royal-botanic-gardens-the-calyx/)

    Steel (LONGLINE 305):
    Smooth white surface reflects light evenly, reducing glare and enhancing color accuracy.

    Toughened Glass:
    High transparency subtly obscures interior views

    Grass & Plants:
    Absorb and reflect light softly

    Wooden Pathway:
    Matte, light-brown finish softens reflections

Existing Lighting Analysis

  • Calyx During The Day

    Radial Design: Steel columns and glass panels create a minimalist look and smooth indoor-outdoor flow.

    Column Experience: Columns shift visually from unified to individual elements, playing with light and framing nature.

    Natural Lighting: Glass walls and skylights maximize daylight; louvers reduce glare and heat.

    Social Spaces: Open layout with perimeter seating encourages interaction and connection to the outdoors.

  • Calyx During The Night

    Indoor Lighting Only: After 4 pm, lighting is limited to indoors, leaving outdoor paths and gardens dim and potentially unsafe.

    Poor Night Visibility: Lack of outdoor lighting hides architectural and landscape features.

    Winter Risk: Early sunsets in winter cause outdoor areas to darken quickly, raising safety concerns.

    Limited Evening Use: Visitors can’t engage with exterior spaces after dark, reducing the evening experience.

  • Calyx During Events

    Limited Exterior Lighting: Current setup lacks sufficient outdoor illumination for evening events.

    Need for Flexibility: Requires an adaptable system to support diverse event needs after dark.

    Dynamic Potential: Bright, colorful projections (columns, overhead, ground) rely on external fixtures.

    Lack of Versatility: Existing lighting doesn’t support color-changing or programmable effects.

  • Current Luminaire Types and Setup

    10 Ligman Martini 31 Luminaires

    Luminaire Type: Ligman Martini 31 (MN-31671), surface-mounted luminaires.

    Quantity: 10 units installed evenly along the top beams of The Calyx’s circular frame.

    Positioning: Mounted on the upper framework of structural beams, providing top-down lighting across the space.

    Control Options: Available with on/off or DALI dimming control for flexible light intensity adjustments.

    Durability: IP65-rated, protecting against dust and water, suitable for continuous outdoor exposure.

    Color Temperature: Available in 3000K and 4000K to support ambient, natural lighting (Ligman, 2019).

    Type: Surface-mounted luminaire

    Quantity: 10 units evenly spaced along Calyx’s top beams

    Positioning: Mounted on upper structural framework for top-down coverage

    Control: On/off or DALI dimming options for adjustable brightness

    Durability: IP65-rated for outdoor dust and water resistance

    Color Temp: 3000K or 4000K for warm to neutral ambient lighting

    74 Megabay Osirion RGBW Uplights

Initial Concept develop

  • Night Mode

    Tracked lights with narrow, adjustable beam angle

    Installed on a track embedded in the ground

    Project on the cantilevered canopy-like structure

    Highlight the structure, emphasize ‘protection’ and ‘support’