Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch, New Zealand

This project stretches back to before the Christchurch Earthquake of February 2011. At that stage my role was to beautify the facade of the building. I was busy preparing this when the earthquake inflicted serious damage to this Christchurch icon. It destroyed everything between the stage and the facade.

Now it has been restored and theatre-goers will notice major changes in the facade. It will be lit in one of three distinctive ways, depending on what's happening inside. If a show is not scheduled for six to eight weeks, the beauty of the building's architecture will be the focus of the lighting.

If a show is opening within that period, the theatre will appear brighter and more colours will be used. This will create the feeling of expectation and growing excitement. Then on opening night, the buzz in the air will be reflected in the lighting. Colours will change rapidly and the brightness will vary to create a real 'show time' atmosphere. This was another project where I worked alongside Architects, Warren and Mahoney. Once again, they were a pleasure to work with. Make sure you keep an eye out for the theatre's exterior lighting display.

Award winning design

2015 Illuminating Engineering Society Design Award

Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch - "Giving the theatre a voice of its own that makes the theatre look alive."

Lighting Council New Zealand
Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia and New Zealand
New Zealand Green Building Council
Standards New Zealand
Association of Lighting Designers
Pure Advantage - Green Growth for Greater Wealth
New Zealand Retail Interior Association
Canterbury Employers´ Chamber of Commerce