MEDIA RELEASE
5 September 2008

Brisbane lighting designers Connell Wagner and Design Stage, in conjunction with Richard Kirk Architect, are celebrating after picking up two of the State’s highest awards for lighting design at the annual Illuminating Engineering Society Queensland’s (IES) Lighting Design Awards.

The lighting design teams were recruited to design both the exterior and interior surroundings of the new Advanced Learning Centre at the University of Queensland, which houses state-of-the-art teaching facilities at the St Lucia Campus.

One of the main features of the design that ranked highly with the judges was the ability of the designers to create a comfortable environment of learning through the use of lighting.

While a courtyard offers students an opportunity to meet in a comfortable, safe external environment, the interior of the building offers unique educational spaces that are designed to allow flexibility for all forms of teaching. 

Anthony Bale, President IES Queensland, said that while elements such as energy efficiency and sustainability play a role in judging, fundamentally the judges are looking for lighting designs that make people’s home and work lives more comfortable.

"Obviously, things like visual quality, the operation of the lights and the originality of the design are important to the judges, but essentially, the key element to winning these awards is that these buildings are a nice place for people to go," said Anthony.

“It is crucial for all designers to incorporate this human factor into their plans and I think that the end result of the Advanced Learning Facility at UQ is an outstanding example of this, as it provides an environment for students and workers alike to exist in a dynamic social hub.”

Other entrants to receive Awards on the night included Medland Metropolis’ design of the new fit out of the Building Services Authority office at West End, Sinclair Knight Merz’s project for the newly-built Skilled Park, home of the NRL Gold Coast Titans, Kelly Gray’s design for a residential home at Buderim and Carl Gray’s (MGF Consultants) fit out of the Royal Flying Doctors Service’s Base Offices at the Cairns Airport.

“These awards represent what the best of the best are doing in terms of lighting in Queensland and, judging by the standards of entrants that we received this year, this list is just going to get bigger and better,” Anthony said.

The awards, which have been held for more than 60 years, were presented Friday, 5 September, at Gianni’s Portside at a black tie gala dinner for 300 people.

About the Awards 

Award of Excellence: Designs of the highest standard

• BSA: Building Services Authority – Medland Metropolis
• University of Queensland: Exterior – Connell Wagner, Design Stage, Richard Kirk Architect
• University of Queensland: Advanced Learning Centre: Connell Wagner, Design Stage, Richard Kirk Architects 

Award of Commendation: Recognition of achievement 

• Buderim Residence – Kelly Gray
• Skilled Park: Feature Lighting – Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM)
• Skilled Park: Stadium Lighting – Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM)
• Royal Flying Doctors Service: Base offices – Carl N Gary, MFG Consultant (North Queensland)

About the IES: The Lighting Society

·         Founded in 1932, the IES has six Chapters located in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia and New Zealand.

·         The aim of the IES is to promote the advancement of the art and science of illumination whilst also promoting the professionalism and knowledge of the industry.

·         The Society’s diversified membership includes consulting engineers or designers, architects, electrical contractors, authority representatives, lighting research or educations, contractors, manufacturers and students.

·         The Society holds Lighting Design Awards annually in each Chapter to represent each states important contribution to the art and science of illuminating engineering.

·         The IES offer Awards of Excellence for those designs of the highest standards as well as Awards of Commendation as a symbol of recognition of achievement in the lighting design industry.

For further information contact:

Anthony Bale

President, QLD IES

m 0404 882 496