Skip to content
ACMI Museum Shoot4 SMG 0347 web

ACMI Renewal

Melbourne, VIC

Focusing on screen culture and the moving image, ACMI blends experience of the virtual with that of the physical. The largest museum of its kind in the world, ACMI had evolved and required changes to its physical space and its programming. The ACMI Renewal was a major renovation of all spaces, including new places for gathering and reflection. 

ACMI Museum smg 0882 web
ACMI Museum smg 1139 web
ACMI Museum smg 0941 web
ACMI Museum smg 0313 web

Schuler Shook provided specialist lighting design services for all public areas including retail, atrium, foyers, studio and event space. The integration of the lighting with the architecture was carefully devised and coordinated with the architect and wider design team.

ACMI Museum Shoot4 SMG 0377 web

The lighting is designed to enhance the visitor’s experience by presenting different atmospheres at different times of the day. Bright, diffuse, and uniform lighting during the busy daytime transforms into a more dramatic, theatrical atmospheric lighting for evening events. The lighting design allows a good balance between natural and electric light in the daylit central atrium. A DALI lighting control system provides smooth transitions and easy programming of the lighting presets.

ACMI Museum Shoot4 SMG 0379 weblg
ACMI Museum Shoot4 SMG 0397 web

In the event space, round ceiling coffers include and conceal all the services (lighting, speakers, fire detectors, sprinklers, air grilles) and provide a strong graphic feel to the whole ceiling.

ACMI Museum Shoot4 SMG 0320 web
ACMI Museum Shoot4 SMG 0315 web
ACMI Museum Shoot4 SMG 0308 web

The new lighting scheme provides the ability to introduce subtle colour-changing effects. This gives ACMI greater flexibility to create special events in the common areas and reinforce ACMI’s visual presence within the context of the Federation Square precinct. 

ACMI Museum Shoot4 SMG 0453 web

The renewed fully-LED scheme greatly reduces power consumption and maintenance requirements. The digital lighting control system also includes a daylight harvesting function to maximize energy savings.

Project Details

Architect

  • BKK Architects

Recognition

  • IESANZ Award of Commendation, 2020

  • DALI Lighting Awards - Entertainment & Architecture, Highly Commended, 2021

  • AIA Award, Interior Architecture Category, 2021

  • Victorian Premier’s Design Awards - Architectural Design, Highly Commended, 2021

Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and help us better understand how users interact with the site. By clicking "Allow", you’re agreeing to the collection of data as described in our Privacy Policy.