In redeveloping Ausgrid’s headquarters in Roden Cutler House, lighting became a tool for orientation, cohesion and welcoming clarity. The 1970s brutalist structure has been modernised with an interior renewal that respects its original architecture while transforming it into a flexible, well-connected workplace. From the lobby through multiple floors, lighting guides people subtly, giving visual cues that support movement, recognition of different zones and overall legibility of the space.

The lobby sets the tone. As you arrive, geometric linear light from an arrangement of ELS Systemkanal 50 greets you, not only illuminating the entry zone but shaping a visual path and establishing orientation. Adjacent timber feature walls are uniformly grazed by ERCO Lightgap, while ERCO Parscan track luminaires highlight greenwall foliage. These elements work together so that people can intuitively see thresholds, gathering points and transitions between zones.

This continuity of feature lighting does not stop at the lobby. Ausgrid carried green-wall lighting through thirteen floors using ERCO Parscan luminaires, ensuring visual consistency between levels. In core corridors, the design honours the building’s industrial exposed ceilings, using ERCO suspended Skims that recede into the architecture and oval floodlight distributions that allow for generous spacing. This keeps sightlines clean and uncluttered while avoiding visual confusion.

The project integrates artwork and design elements that assist with orientation. Indigenous artwork by Lucy Simpson is punctuated by ERCO Pantracs, drawing attention to communal walls and connective spaces. Lighting in these areas reinforces identity, culture and spatial memory, helping staff and visitors navigate levels with greater confidence.

Safety, comfort and visual clarity were central considerations. Light is balanced so glare is minimised, and material finishes like timber and planting are revealed without harsh contrast. At the same time, the design supports wellbeing and biophilic connection, encouraging staff movement and interaction throughout the space. The lighting choices align with the architectural intent, guiding people intuitively while maintaining an aesthetic that feels calm and deliberate.

At Ausgrid, lighting helps define how people experience the building. It invites you in, helps you move through it, and supports a clear understanding of how the space works. It shows how carefully considered illumination can support wayfinding in subtle but powerful ways, enhancing not just the architecture but the confidence and comfort of those who move through it.