Art & Culture
Abbotsford Contemporary
Conservation-grade lighting for a private gallery, balancing the protection of works with the drama of the encounter.
- Category
- Art & Culture
- Location
- Abbotsford, Melbourne
- Year
- 2024
- Scope
- Gallery · Conservation · Daylight
The Brief
Understanding how the space needed to feel
A converted warehouse gallery needed a flexible system that could protect light-sensitive works on paper while still allowing bold, sculptural displays of larger pieces. The curators rotate the collection frequently and required a rig they could reconfigure without specialist contractors.
Our Approach
Designing the scheme
We specified a museum-grade track running the length of the space, paired with framing projectors and UV-filtered, low-lux luminaires for sensitive works. Daylight from the existing sawtooth roof was tamed with motorised shading and balanced against the electric scheme so the gallery feels naturally lit while staying within conservation limits.
The Outcome
Living with the result
Curators can now re-hang and re-light an entire show in an afternoon. Each work sits in its own pool of carefully measured light, glare on glazed pieces is eliminated, and the building's industrial bones remain part of the experience rather than being papered over.
In Detail
Work With Us
Considering light for your own project?
Our Prahran studio takes on a small number of projects at a time so each receives our full attention. We would love to hear what you are planning.