Olympic Plaza Lighting Towers
TZG introduced rhythm and shade patterning to the 1.6km long Olympic Plaza, by Hargreaves Associates, with the new multi-use lighting towers. Our approach was to present the towers as an urbane sculptural set, rather than simply an engineering solution. The lighting tower shafts all reach in unison for True North, facilitating the solar panel array and resisting the ‘gravity’ of the Olympic stadia.
TZG doubled up public amenity with technological uses in the towers. Sunshading, seating, signage, comprehensive event services and night lighting are designed into the photovoltaic structures. The structured line of the Towers forms a giant ‘veranda’ along the Olympic Boulevard, a unique city-scaled functional sculpture.
Each giant facetted mirror reflects glare-free light directly onto the Plaza, giving a glowing night-time ambience.When completed, the photovoltaics provided one of the largest public solar collectors in the world. Today, these towers are emblems of environmental sustainability, as they continue to generate a net surplus of power.
Sitewide, TZG designed a coordinated suite of street furniture, signage paving and lighting that forms the ‘glue’ that unites the whole 640 hectare park.
Awards
2000, RAIA Merit Award, Urban Design.
2000, RAIA Architects Environment Award.
1999, Institute of Lighting Engineers Merit Award.
1999, ACEA Engineering Excellence Award.
Team
Peter Tonkin, Neil Mackenzie, Paul Rolfe, Amelia Kelly, Brian Zulaikha, Ellen Woolley, Steven Varady.
Consultants
Barry Webb and Associates, Page Kirkland Partnership, Sinclair Knight, Taylor Thomson Whitting, Warren Smith & Partners.
Photographer
Patrick Bingham-Hall.
