City of Lights

PLACEMAKING DESIGN

Commissioned by the Brisbane City Council as part of their urban design strategy we designed a range of lighting installations that highlight the distinctive character of our dynamic river city. The final lighting projections were installed across Fortitude Valley, Breakfast Creek, Newstead and Mt Gravatt creating vibrant and interactive outdoor spaces.

Graphic of a gobo projection featuring organic stone-like shapes

Revetments of Resilience

Heritage of Newstead/Breakfast Creek

There are three years which stand out as a challenging time in Brisbane’s history - 1893, 1974 and 2011. Built around a tidal river, Brisbane has experienced many devastating floods throughout its history. The worst of these years for Newstead was the ‘Great Flood of Brisbane’ in 1893, where many parts of the suburb were completely inundated with water. Along with the replacement of bridges - many stone revetments were constructed to protect low lying areas close to the river from future flooding. This includes the area of Breakfast Creek from the bridge to the natural rock at the mouth of the creek. This gobo design features stone shapes to represent these revetments, constructed as a symbol of hope to protect our community from the perils of mother nature. The figures also represent the many residents of Brisbane who have stood strong and united in the face of adversity.

Photograph of stone revetments alongside the river at Breakfast Creek, Brisbane

Photo of the City of Lights lighting installation in Newstead Park, Brisbane

Photograph of flooding in Breakfast Creek

Breakfast Creek Road during the floods of 1893.

A series of vector graphics of gobo projections featuring organic wave shapes

Layering the gobo plates to create animated effects.

Graphic of a gobo projection featuring star shapes

They Passed This Way

Australian-American War Memorial

During the years of the Second World War, American military personal occupied the grounds of Newstead park. In tribute to these serviceman who contributed to the defence of Australia during this period a monument was unveiled in 1951. It is noted as the first monument erected in Australia which pays tribute to the Australian-American war efforts. This gobo design features a pattern work of stars coming together, which like the monument stand as a symbol of unity in the cause of freedom. This star is also featured on the design of the monument which sits below the carving of an eagle.

Photo of a military serviceman carving an eagle out of stone

Australian-American War Monument, Newstead Park.

The Bridges of Breakfast Creek

Graphic of a gobo design featuring an abstract interpretation of the three bridges of Breakfast Creek

Heritage of Breakfast Creek

In the early 1800s during the convict era there were a number of temporary bridges constructed to connect Albion to the adjacent areas of Newstead and Bowen Hills. Heavy flooding washed away these initial attempts and in 1858 the first permanent bridge was constructed using ironbark. This gobo design features a simplified linework graphic of the original ironbark bridge. The three rows represent the three different bridges that have stood in this spot. First the ironbark, then a second bridge which was built in 1889 only to be replaced in 1958 by the concrete traffic bridge that still stands to this day. The bridge is symbol of progress and resilience in the face of adversity. Twisting behind the pattern of the bridges is Breakfast Creek which winds its way out to the mouth of the Brisbane River.