Advanced lighting control technology from Pharos Architectural Controls has been used to illuminate the facade of the Parliament of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, delivering a flexible and considered solution for one of the city’s most important heritage buildings. The project replaces an ageing sodium vapour floodlighting scheme with a more refined approach that reveals the texture and detail of the sandstone architecture.

Completed in early 2026, the project marks the culmination of a long development process that began in 2014, when FPOV was first commissioned by the Victorian Government to explore an illuminated treatment for the building. Dating back to 1888, the Parliament of Victoria occupies a prominent position at the northern end of Melbourne’s CBD. The brief called for a lighting solution that would respect the building’s heritage while presenting its architecture in a more natural light.

The previous scheme relied on sodium vapour floodlights mounted at a shallow angle, producing an even wash of light that flattened the facade and masked much of its detail. The strong colour cast of the source also altered the appearance of the sandstone, reducing the clarity of the building at night.

The new design set out to correct this by presenting the building more faithfully, while keeping the installation discreet and visually unobtrusive. It also needed to reduce maintenance demands, improve efficiency, and allow the facade to be lit in neutral white for everyday use, with the option of colour for civic occasions.

Over the course of the project, the design was refined through a number of external and technical challenges, including changes in government, budget adjustments, pandemic-related testing delays and advances in LED technology. As a result, the specification was reviewed several times to ensure the final system remained robust and future ready.

At the core of the installation are two Pharos Designer LPC controllers providing a total of four universes of DMX. Two 8-inch Pharos Designer TPS touchscreens allow authorised users to manage scene selection and colour changes when required. The system is connected to Pharos Cloud for simple, secure remote management and control. Integration with Dynalite is also used for power management, helping the system operate efficiently within the wider building infrastructure.

The result is a facade lighting scheme that brings greater subtlety and control to the presentation of the Parliament building, revealing its material qualities more clearly while replacing a dated and overbearing approach to illumination.

Christopher Page, Associate at FPOV, said, “Working with Pharos allowed us to deliver a reliable control platform with the flexibility and ease of use needed to support both daily operation and longer-term adaptation of the scheme.”

Tony Symms, Regional Manager for Asia Pacific at Pharos, added, “This project demonstrates how intelligent control can support the sensitive illumination of heritage architecture. The system combines reliability and flexibility, ensuring the facade can be presented consistently while still allowing for moments of variation.”

The project demonstrates how advanced control technology can help heritage buildings balance preservation with performance, delivering lighting schemes that are both practical to operate and sensitive to architectural character.

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The Silhouette Awards is preparing to launch its sixth season, building on five years of mentorship, international connections and support for emerging talent across the architectural lighting design community.

The 2026–2027 programme will be officially unveiled during a special virtual event on Monday 14th September at 3.00 PM UK time. Open to everyone, the event will celebrate the achievements and mentorship journeys of the milestone fifth year, before looking ahead to the next chapter of the global programme and introducing the new Season 6 mentors.

Founded by Katia Kolovea and Eve Gaut, the Silhouette Awards was established to identify, celebrate and support emerging talent within architectural lighting design. Each year, 20 successful mentees are paired with established senior professionals from across the world for a tailored six-month mentorship journey.

The programme gives mentees access to knowledge, guidance and professional insight shaped around their individual ambitions. While every mentorship is different, the shared aim is to create an environment in which emerging designers can build confidence, explore new ideas, strengthen their skills and take meaningful steps forward in their careers.

Season 5 represented an important milestone for the Silhouette Awards. By the close of its fifth year, the programme has already created 100 mentor and mentee partnerships, connecting professionals across countries, cultures and disciplines through a shared commitment to the future of lighting design.

The virtual launch event will provide an opportunity to reflect on some of the relationships and experiences that have shaped the fifth season. Mentors and mentees will share insights from their time together, celebrating not only the professional development achieved through the programme, but also the conversations, connections and exchange of ideas that continue beyond the formal six-month journey.

The event will then turn its attention to Season 6, revealing a new international group of 20 mentors who will each support one emerging designer during the 2026–2027 programme.

• • Alessandra Bertolini | Associate, Xavio Design Limited
  • Alvaro Nieva Montes de Oca | Senior Lighting Designer, Nieva Iluminación
  • Andrea Mantello | Principal/Director, DERA.LIGHTING
  • Annie Eng | Principal/Director, Light Collab LLP
  • Daniel Green | Associate, INTO Lighting/Bloqdigital
  • Elham Souri | Project Manager and Educator, ibb Burrer & Deuring Ingenieurbüro GmbH
  • Glenn Shrum | Principal/Associate Professor, FLux Studio/Parsons School of Design
  • Gopu Avinash Reddy | Senior Lighting Designer, Studio Lumen Lighting Design & Consultancy
  • Jari Vuorinen | Principal/Director, Lighting Design Collective
  • Leah Xandora | Principal/Director, L’Observatoire International
  • Marco Miglioli | Principal/Director, Marco Miglioli ArchiLight Studio
  • Maria Güell Ordis | Senior Lighting Designer, La Invisible
  • Mariana Novaes | Principal/Director, Atiaîa Lighting Design
  • Midory Esquer | OCS Lighting and Controls
  • Mohamed Medani | Principal/Director, Delta Lighting Design
  • Noha Kotb | Founder and Lead Lighting Designer, IntoLighting
  • Regina Santos | Principal/Director, Light Fusion
  • Sergei Kovalenko | Senior Lighting Designer, QPRO
  • Stephan Horn | Principal/Director, o-pium GmbH
  • Stephanie Harris | Associate Director/Head of Lighting, CBG Light Perception

Together, the mentors bring experience from practices, studios and educational institutions across the international lighting community. Their varied career paths and perspectives will allow each mentorship to be shaped around the needs, interests and aspirations of the selected mentee.

Katia Kolovea, Co-Founder of the Silhouette Awards, said, “The Silhouette Awards has grown into a truly international community, bringing together people who may be separated by geography but are connected by a shared passion for lighting design and its future.

Our fifth season has once again shown that mentorship is not about following one set path. It is about creating space for honest conversations, fresh thinking and individual growth. We look forward to celebrating those journeys during the virtual event and sharing what comes next as we open the door to Season 6.”

Eve Gaut, Co-Founder of the Silhouette Awards, added, “Reaching the end of a season always gives us a valuable opportunity to pause and recognise what has been created through the programme. One hundred mentor and mentee partnerships is an achievement we are incredibly proud of, but the real impact can be found within the individual journeys, conversations and relationships formed along the way.

As we start to launch Season 6, we are excited to welcome another exceptional group of mentors who share our belief in supporting emerging talent. Their generosity, experience and enthusiasm will help a new group of designers gain the confidence and guidance to take the next steps in their careers.”

The Silhouette Awards is a collaboration between Archifos and Parrot PR & Marketing. Since its inception, the programme has become a celebrated platform for discovering and raising the profile of up-and-coming designers and strengthening the bonds within the global lighting community.

To find out more about the Silhouette Awards, including the sponsors, supporters or the virtual event, visithttps://silhouetteawards.com/ or contact > info@silhouetteawards.com.

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The project reimagines the building’s reception through a hospitality-led approach, creating a warmer and more refined arrival experience that reflects the quality of its prestigious Mayfair location. Alongside the complete reception redesign, the wider refurbishment included a targeted façade replacement and the introduction of premium end-of-trip facilities inspired by luxury hospitality environments.

Working to lighting design created by dpa lighting consultants, Lucent Lighting supplied a discreet combination of downlights and accent lighting to support the overall architectural vision.

The lighting throughout the reception has been kept deliberately understated, allowing the architecture, materials and finishes to remain the focus. Soft50 Trimless downlights with LED35 modules provide the main layer of illumination, integrated discreetly within the ceiling, whilst Edge90 Accent downlights with LED51 modules are used to pick out key details and introduce greater depth across the space.

This combination supports the wider lighting concept, bringing warmth and definition to the reception and helping create a more welcoming, hospitality-led arrival experience at the heart of the refurbishment.

The wider refurbishment has also enhanced the building’s long-term performance, with 48 Dover Street achieving EPC B, BREEAM Excellent and WiredScore Gold.

Marco Tolaini, Sales Director at Lucent Lighting, said, “48 Dover Street is a great example of how lighting can help create a more welcoming, hospitality-led feel within a commercial space. Our products have been carefully integrated into the architecture, providing a combination of general and accent lighting that complements the materials and detailing throughout the reception. It’s a considered scheme that really suits the building and its Mayfair location.” 

Project Credits

Client: Crosstree Real Estate Partners LLP.

Project Management: Storey.

Interior Architecture: GA Design.

Lighting Design: dpa lighting consultants.

Lighting Supplier: Lucent Lighting Ltd.

Photography Credits: Ed Reeve.

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Studio Lumen’s lighting design enhances the timeless character of Jumeirah Al Qasr, a landmark property inspired by the grandeur of an ancient Arabian palace and conceived as a Sheikh’s summer residence. The lighting scheme was carefully developed to celebrate the architectural language of the building whilst creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that transitions effortlessly from day to night.

A restrained palette of warm-toned illumination accentuates the rich terracotta facades, textured materials and intricate architectural detailing, allowing the building’s craftsmanship to take centre stage. Rather than trying to overpower the architecture, the newly designed lighting scheme works in harmony with it, introducing depth, contrast and visual hierarchy that guide guests naturally through the resort.

The design also contributes to the wider guest experience, transforming external courtyards, walkways and arrival spaces into welcoming environments that evoke a sense of tranquillity and understated luxury. Layered lighting balances functionality with ambience, supporting wayfinding whilst reinforcing the resort’s distinctive identity as a destination where heritage-inspired design and modern hospitality coexist.

The result is an elegant lighting scheme that enhances the architectural narrative of Jumeirah Al Qasr, creating memorable nighttime experiences while preserving the warmth, authenticity and sophistication that define Madinat Jumeirah.

Siddharth Mathur, Partner and CEO at Studio Lumen said, “Through a carefully considered approach to light, we sought to enhance the architectural character of Jumeirah Al Qasr, celebrating its Arabian heritage while creating an atmosphere of warmth, elegance and tranquillity. The lighting reveals the beauty of the architecture after dark, enriching the guest experience while allowing the building’s identity to remain at the forefront.”

Client: Jumeirah Group.

Architect: DSA Architects.

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As one of Oirschot’s most recognisable landmarks, the basilica holds deep cultural and architectural significance. However, its previous exterior lighting system had become outdated, offering limited flexibility and falling short of modern expectations for energy efficiency and light quality. The municipality sought a solution that would respect the heritage of the building while elevating its night‑time identity and reducing environmental impact.

The design brief called for a lighting system that could sensitively highlight the basilica’s architectural features, minimise light spill, and offer adaptable control. To meet these requirements, Signify, the Gemeente Oirschot and LRS Solutions collaborated closely, with LRS Solutions appointed to design and implement the central lighting control and management system.

At the heart of the new installation is the Pharos Expert controller. Expert provides an all-in-one control solution for managing the basilica’s exterior lighting. The reliable, low-power controller is compact and simple to install, with intuitive commissioning software offering curated lighting presets and familiar calendar-based scheduling for scene selection, ideal for heritage projects where subtle looks and predictable playback are the primary requirements.

To overcome the challenges of cabling restrictions around the historic site, the control system incorporates a wireless DMX solution from LumenRadio. This approach ensured a stable and resilient control infrastructure without intrusive installation work, preserving the integrity of the basilica’s surroundings.

The new lighting allows the municipality to tailor the appearance throughout the year, from traditional, understated daily illumination to special scenes for cultural events, religious celebrations and community moments. Time-based scheduling ensures energy-efficient operation, automatically adjusting the lighting to seasonal and environmental changes.

Johan Burggraaf, Manager for Projects & Services at LRS, commented: “Sint-Petrusbasiliek is a defining feature of Oirschot, and this project was about giving it a lighting system that honours its heritage while embracing modern technology. With Pharos Expert, we were able to deliver a flexible, reliable and centrally managed solution that supports both the architectural character of the building and the needs of the municipality.”

Bas Hoksbergen, Business Development Director at Pharos, added: “This project demonstrates how thoughtful lighting control can enhance a historic landmark without compromising its authenticity. Expert offered the right balance of simplicity, capability and long-term reliability. We’re proud to see Sint-Petrusbasiliek illuminated in a way that celebrates its significance for the community.”

With its new lighting control system in place, Sint-Petrusbasiliek has been re‑established as a striking night‑time focal point. The project showcases how modern lighting and control technologies can sensitively support heritage architecture, creating a meaningful and adaptable presence within the public realm.

Client: Gemeente Oirschot.

Lighting Consultancy & Luminaires: Signify.

Lighting Control Design & System Integration: LRS Solutions.

Lighting Control: Pharos Architectural Controls.

Wireless DMX Technology: LumenRadio.

Photography: LRS Solutions.

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Now set to become one of New Zealand’s premier aquatic and recreation destinations spanning 32,000 sql, the Parakiore facility has been designed to provide accessible and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages and abilities. As part of the development, a new Sensory Aqua Centre was created to deliver a dedicated interactive sensory room. Combining lighting, water effects and integrated control systems, the space offers a safe, adaptable environment that promotes relaxation, sensory stimulation and meaningful interaction for its users.

Lighting controls specialist Annelise Goodwin of LS Group was appointed to deliver the lighting controls solution for the sensory room via Grant Robertson of The Light Site. The design brief called for a highly flexible and intuitive system capable of supporting multiple room states, interactive experiences and personalised user settings, while integrating seamlessly with wider building operations.

At the heart of the installation is a single-universe Pharos Designer LPC controller with two Pharos four-port DMX repeaters. Together with a Q-SYS integration platform, the system enables sophisticated control across interactive water features, lighting zones and sensory elements.

The Designer LPC provides the processing power and reliability required for the complex installation, managing more than 100 custom scripts and over 400 commands across the sensory environment. Through a combination of LUA scripting and the Pharos API, the project team developed advanced control functionality that allows dynamic timeline shuffling for the bubble wall installation, as well as simplified recall of individual timelines without the need to create hundreds of separate triggers.

The system controls 10 interactive water features, four non-interactive water features, lighting across four separate zones and an integrated bubble wall feature. Q-SYS is utilised to trigger commands within the Pharos system, allowing the various sensory experiences to operate seamlessly together while providing intuitive control for staff and users.

To enhance accessibility and ease of operation, the installation includes five customisable user presets for regular instructors and returning guests, alongside five base room states (Calm, Colourful, Full Room, Party, Interactive). These presets allow the sensory environment to adapt quickly to different users, activities and therapeutic requirements.

The system also integrates with the wider building management system (BMS), using relay triggers to automatically respond to occupancy and operational states, including open, closed, cleaning and unoccupied modes. This intelligent automation ensures the sensory room remains both energy efficient and easy to manage as part of the wider facility.

Annelise Goodwin of LS Group, said: “The goal was to create a sensory space that was immersive, adaptable and easy for staff and visitors to interact with. Pharos gave us the flexibility to develop highly customised scripting and control functionality, while still maintaining a reliable and intuitive user experience throughout the installation.”

From a Pharos perspective, the project demonstrates how lighting and show control technology can support accessibility and inclusivity within public environments.

Tony Symms, Regional Sales Manager for Asia Pacific at Pharos Architectural Controls, added: “Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre is a fantastic example of how intelligent control systems can create meaningful and engaging experiences for users of all abilities. By combining an LPC with advanced scripting, API integration and Q-SYS control, the team has delivered a highly responsive sensory environment that showcases the creative flexibility of Pharos technology.”

The result is a future-ready sensory space that combines lighting, water and automation to deliver calming, interactive and engaging experiences, reinforcing Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre’s commitment to accessibility, wellbeing and inclusive community design. 

Project Credits

Client: Christchurch City CouncilChristchurch City Council.

Project: Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre.

Lighting Controls: Pharos Architectural Controls.

Lighting Controls Integration: LS Group – Annelise Goodwin.

Lighting Supplier: The Light Site – Grant Robertson.

Integration Partner: New Wave.

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The contemporary glazed architectural masterpiece sits on the footprint of the previous 1976 theatre building (which replaced the original one built in 1934), providing a high-production-value performance environment and a cool 21^st-century counterpoint to the city’s historical Cathedral of St. John.

The new venue is a radiant modern entertainment and meeting hub, buzzing with energy and creativity in the heart of this picturesque city.

The Robe moving lights are divided between Theater aan de Parade’s two multi-purpose halls, the 920-seater Casino Hall and the Plein Hall, which accommodates 400 people.

The Robe product count breaks down to 23 T2 Profiles, 83 T1 Profiles, 11 T1 PC, 80 LEDBeam 350s, 3 TX1s, 12 CUETE Spots, 14 Tetra2s, which are used as cyc lighting, and 4 RoboSpot BaseStations with MotionCameras.

All of this was supplied via Robe’s Benelux distributor, Controllux, together with a number of other lights that completed the specification, plus control and networking infrastructure. Controllux’s project and sales lead Kuno van Velzen started work on this installation in 2022.

Theater aan de Parade stages over 300 performances annually from numerous visiting companies, plus an array of festival and business events, explained head of technical, Alphons Verhallen, who oversees a tech crew of 16.

The T1 and T2 Profiles were selected as the “best multispectral profile moving heads on the market,” commented Alphons.

Having a multispectral LED fixture at the core of the house lighting systems – as opposed to a white LED source – was a cornerstone of the lighting tender.

It is a frequent consideration for theatres and performance venues where perfect colour rendition and skin tones are vital. Robe’s additive colour mixing techniques ensure that these fixtures deliver the richest of saturated colours and the most delicate pastel shades, all with theatrical finesse and quality.

Highly flexible CCT control provides another layer of premium-quality whites that are key in lighting theatre, drama and dance pieces.

The T1 and T2 Profiles are located on the lighting bridges and over-stage bars in both halls. Seven of the T1 PCs are rigged on the Casino Hall portal bars and four on LX2 in the Plein Hall, where they are providing good wash capabilities, with the TX1s also used overhead in this space.

The LEDBeam 350s are multi-use fixtures and, among other things, replace six-bar moving PAR light effects in both halls. The Tetra2s are proving to be handy for cyc and effects lighting in the Plein Hall, especially for bands, concerts and music shows, together with the CUETE Spots, which are in this same location.

The RoboSpot systems are usually used with the T1 Profiles in either hall. They bring all the flexibility of a quicker setup, being able to position the operators backstage or offstage and enable the LD to choose which lights are used for spotting.

Alphons is very happy with the scenario and confident that the venue can offer its clients great value with this combination of technology.

He notes that some of the incoming companies are making full use of the lighting setup now on offer, while for some older touring shows still on the road with performances based on static and dimmed lightsources, the adaptation may take longer, but the process is definitely underway.

Technical planning for the new theatre originally started in 2018, and between then and now, the specs were modified slightly as new and more appropriate product choices came to the market. When the old building closed, Theater aan de Parade continued producing shows in a temporary venue – again with Robe products in the rig – while the construction was completed.

Alphons, who took up the technical management position for the new theatre to open its doors at the end of 2024, is delighted with the results so far. Apart from all the obvious advantages, the all-LED stage lighting is saving considerably on the previous operational power requirements.

Robe is a brand Alphons has been more familiar with since visiting the 2019 Prague Quadrennial, where Robe lit one of the main centrepieces, “Blue Hour” by Romain Tardy.

Key members of the tech crew have also visited the Robe factory in Valašské Meziříčí, and Alphons highlights the importance of a strong working relationship both with the brand and the local distributor.

Controllux also coordinated the installation of the lighting systems and their related control network.

Photo credit: Kuno van Velzen.

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Titled a serpentine, the Pavilion draws inspiration from the crinkle-crankle wall, a modest but feature of English architectural history. LANZA atelier’s proposal places movement, permeability and collective experience at the centre of the visitor journey. Curving brick columns guiding people through the space, offering moments of pause, views through to the surrounding gardens, and a sense of gradual discovery as visitors move between light and shadow.

Lighting plays a subtle but important role in supporting this experience. Rather than overpowering the architecture, the scheme has been designed to work with the material qualities, the shifting patterns of daylight, and the translucency of the roof structure. After dark, the Pavilion will remain legible and welcoming, with carefully placed light revealing texture, depth and the rhythm of the curving forms.

The translucent roof structure allows daylight to filter into the Pavillion during the day and is softly illuminated after dark using Thorn’s linear Mystrid Flex luminaires, integrated into the structure to create homogenous lines of light at 2700K. A small number of Thorn’s adjustable Caelon spotlights are used discreetly for emergency lighting and to support the café bar area, ensuring functionality without detracting from the architectural intent. Around the Pavilion exterior, Thorn’s Cesar Stroll bollards provide gentle wayfinding and help guide visitors through the landscape after dusk, also specified at 2700K to maintain a consistent, welcoming tone of light.

John Lyons, Managing Director UK & Ireland at Zumtobel Group, said: “Every Serpentine Pavilion presents a different architectural language and a different challenge for lighting. This year’s design is beautifully restrained and deeply rooted in experience and movement. Our role is to support that experience, allowing people to move comfortably through the space in the evening while preserving the character of the brickwork, the roof structure and the surrounding gardens. It is a privilege to be involved in such a culturally significant project once again.”

Isabel Zumtobel, Director of Arts and Culture at Zumtobel Licht AG (CH), added: “The Serpentine Pavilion has always been about more than a temporary structure. It is a place for encounter, conversation and shared experience. The Pavilion by LANZA atelier speaks quietly but powerfully about how people move through space and relate to one another. Light has an important role to play in that experience, shaping atmosphere without dominating it. We are proud to continue our partnership with Serpentine in this important anniversary year.”

The 2026 Pavilion continues Serpentine’s tradition of inviting leading architects to create temporary structures that respond to the park setting while offering new ways for the public to gather, reflect and experience architecture. LANZA atelier’s approach foregrounds use, materiality and encounter over formal spectacle, creating a Pavilion that evolves throughout the day as sunlight filters through and tree shadows move across the brick surfaces.

Thorn and Zumtobel’s involvement reflects a shared commitment to supporting architecture and culture through considered, responsible lighting design. By using the colour temperature across the Pavilion, the lighting scheme maintains visual consistency and reinforces the calm, cohesive character of the space.

The Serpentine Pavilion 2026 will be open to the public from 6th June until October 2026 in Kensington Gardens, London. Thorn and Zumtobel will host a private Pavilion event on Thursday 10th September 2026.

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The DALI Alliance announces that its 3rd Annual DALI North America Summit will take place 16th and 17th September in Dallas, Texas, alongside ArchLIGHT Summit, the commercial and architectural lighting event held 15th and 16t September at Dallas Market Center.

The DALI Summit brings together lighting designers, manufacturers, integrators, and technology providers to explore the latest developments in standardized lighting control and smart building integration. The event continues to grow as a key forum for advancing interoperability, data-driven lighting, and the role of lighting within connected building systems.

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Pharos Architectural Controls are exhibiting at PLASA Focus Leeds on 12th – 13th May 2026, presenting their latest developments across its lighting control portfolio, led by significant new capabilities within the Pharos Express range.

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