Lighting control from Pharos Architectural Controls has helped transform a lighting installation at Te Paeroa o te Kawau – the new headquarters for Beca, one of Asia Pacific’s largest independent advisory, design and engineering consultancies – into a workplace environment for 1,400 Auckland-based employees inspired by the shifting character of the nearby Waitematā Harbour.
The project, which recently received recognition at the Designers Institute of New Zealand Best Design Awards for its lighting design, combines architectural storytelling with intelligent lighting control to create a workplace experience deeply connected to its surrounding environment and cultural context.
Lighting controls specialist Annelise Goodwin of LS Group delivered the lighting control solution for the project, working alongside lighting designer Janine Williams of Charles and Janine Williams. The design brief called for a flexible and dynamic system capable of evolving in conjunction with the changing moods and colours of the Waitematā Harbour, creating a subtle connection between the interior environment and Auckland’s waterfront landscape.
At the heart of the installation is a Pharos Designer LPC 1 controller alongside a Pharos RIO D remote device. Together, the system provides seamless integration between DMX-controlled LED linear RGB fixtures and DALI-controlled architectural fixtures throughout the building.
The Designer LPC 1 was specified to manage the project’s dynamic DMX lighting, delivering the flexibility and precision required to create evolving lighting scenes and transitions. As an all-in-one control solution, the LPC combines powerful show control, scheduling and integration features within a compact and reliable unit, making it ideally suited to sophisticated architectural environments operating continuously throughout the day.
The LPC enables intuitive scene scheduling and unified control across two lighting technologies with the RIO D, which provides the interface to DALI lighting fixtures, extending the flexibility of the overall system, seamlessly outputting simultaneously to multiple lighting protocols. This combination allows the lighting design to move fluidly between subtle ambient states and more expressive dynamic scenes, all while maintaining a cohesive visual experience.
The lighting installation contributes significantly to the identity of the Beca headquarters, enhancing both occupant experience and the architectural narrative of the building. By drawing inspiration from the natural rhythms and atmosphere of the harbour, the lighting scheme creates an environment that feels connected, responsive and uniquely rooted in its location.
Annelise Goodwin said, “The vision for the project was to create lighting that could subtly shift and evolve alongside the Waitematā Harbour. Pharos provided the flexibility and reliability we needed to achieve that vision, while allowing seamless integration between DMX and DALI systems across the space.”
From a Pharos perspective, the project demonstrates how intelligent lighting control can support storytelling and placemaking within commercial environments.
Tony Symms, Regional Manager for Asia Pacific at Pharos Architectural Controls, added, “It is always a pleasure to work with such an experienced and trusted partner as LS Group. Annelise and the team have delivered a sophisticated and highly adaptable lighting installation that responds beautifully to the surrounding harbour and enhances the overall workplace experience.”
The result is a future-focused headquarters environment where dynamic lighting not only supports functionality and well-being but also reinforces a strong sense of location through carefully controlled visual storytelling.
Project Credits
Client: Beca
Cultural Lead: Janine Williams – Artist & Arts Consultant – Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara
Design Director: Alix Abanda
Team Members: Martin Granese, Sarah Childs, Monica Barbosa, Kate Henderson, Yuran Qin
Lighting Controls: Pharos Architectural Controls
Lighting Controls Integration: LS Group
Contributors: Beca Lighting, Warren and Mahoney, Beca Building Services, Beca Building Structures, Beca Project Management, Bishman Electrical, Savory Construction, Hawkins, Annelise Goodwin