Ronstan Tensile Architecture provides full-service
engineering, design assistance, and installation services for an innovative
catenary lighting system that spirals through the Watergardens Town Centre in
Taylor Lakes, Victoria.
Watergardens Town Centre is a 56 hectare community hub that
offers shopping, dining, entertainment, hospitality, and other business
services. The area has been a vibrant and growing part of Taylor Lakes township
since its 1997 opening, attracting droves of visitors to its 200+ specialty
stores and community events.
Recently, the Centre has expanded to include a dining-focused "eat street"
called Station Streat, which is now outfitted with a custom Ronstan catenary lighting system. This system, designed by
Electrolight and Ronstan, stylishly assists in making the area functional after
dark without being obstructive to walking paths. More importantly, the system
creates a spectacular entry statement with its unconventional 3-D "ribbon like"
design that speaks to the geometric language of the Centre's existing graphic
motif.
"The idea was to create a lighting scheme that gives a sense of
movement and direction," explains Paul Beale, Director at Electrolight. "We
endeavoured to create a visual link from the Centre's train station to the main
entrance and shopping areas, while also highlighting the eddies of other parts
in the complex that may have otherwise gone unnoticed."
The simple, thin curves of the system are
intended to reinforce the Watergardens brand and encourage engagement with the precinct
as a whole. Conceptually, the structure creates a luminous manifestation of the
journey made by visitors from their arrival to their destinations within the
complex. Strategic points along the paths employ a "bursting fireworks" design
in which smaller lines emanate from larger points, reminiscent of iron filings
drawn toward a magnetic centre. This composition helps to draw attention to
specific areas while |
promoting a continuous flow of traffic
throughout Watergardens. |
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"This system is wonderfully representative of the
potential that tensile architecture can achieve," says Sascha Humphreys, Sales
Manager for Ronstan. "The structure is intricate in design and installation, but
its execution appears effortless. We are proud of the way our products can
accommodate innovative concepts like this one, and we are glad to contribute to
the project with technical assistance."
The complex system employs
Ronstan ACS2-Type 1 cables with toggles and turnbuckles. A rolled
steel tube structure upholds luminaries from above, creating overlapping tracks
of light that wind through the space in whimsical contours. The tubes are bent
to various radii and lengths, then are joined together and rotated at joints to
create the smooth spline curves. The steel tubing is held in place by a series
of tensioned cables, which tie back to surrounding buildings. The fixtures are
rigid and durable, but optically provide an impression of motion that is
appropriate for the communal atmosphere of the Centre.
"The great thing about the Ronstan design is
that it reduces the visual clutter in the precinct by minimizing supporting
infrastructure like poles," continues Beale. "Ronstan products are designed to
be as visually unobtrusive as possible, and the end result is
stunning."
The project team for Watergardens Centre consisted of design and concept specialist
Electrolight (Melbourne, VIC) and general contractor Thinc Projects (Melbourne,
VIC). |
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"We have worked successfully with Ronstan on
previous projects, and we knew we needed the market leader to partner with us on
such a challenging enterprise," says Beale. "As expected, the Ronstan team was
very accommodating and worked with us very collaboratively throughout the entire
process."
Ronstan's ABS1 TYPE C "hidden thread" terminals spell the end of the
unsightly open threads that gather dirt, grime, and can lead to
staining.
The neatest and simplest balustrade cable is now even sleeker for the ultimate clean
look. Simply tensioned with Ronstan's original Terminal Adjuster this quality
Australian made grade 316 stainless steel cable is ideal for domestic and
commercial cable balustrades. Another first from Ronstan!
Cables have long been used to support climbing plants. Faced with the challenge
of increased urban density, where footprints for garden beds often come second
to areas for active recreational activities, recent cable innovations combine
with intelligent thinking to present new opportunities for vertical landscapes in the tightest building envelope.
As pioneers in cables for
greening, Ronstan has detailed its most popular cable systems – suitable for any
green wall or facade – in a new brochure called "Greening Systems."
The range
of cable systems detailed in the catalogue has been developed with one function
in mind – to present simple cable systems that provide the necessary structure
for vertical climbing plants. |
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