AUSTRALIA: One of Australia’s most celebrated concert venues has undergone a significant auditorium lighting upgrade, with nearly 150 Anolis Lighting LED fixtures transforming the visual experience inside the heritage-listed Llewellyn Hall at the Australian National University in Canberra while carefully preserving the venue’s renowned architectural character.

Managed by the Venues and Functions team of Campus Environment at the Australian National University, with close operational links to the School of Music, Llewellyn Hall is recognised as one of Australia’s finest concert halls. The new installation replaces an ageing tungsten-based house lighting system dating back to the 1980s, delivering improved flexibility, energy efficiency and long-term sustainability while maintaining the warm aesthetic synonymous with the venue.

Following a competitive tender process, the lighting design was developed by Eddie Galak, Business Development Manager at Jands, the Australian distributor for Anolis, in collaboration with theatre consultant Micah Johnson of Melbourne-based Studio Entertech.

The installation centres on Anolis fixtures from the Ambiane and Calumma ranges. Overhead lighting comprises 16 Ambiane XP56 RGBW recessed luminaires with 30-degree lenses, 36 Ambiane XP56 tungsten dim fixtures with 30-degree lenses, and 32 recessed Ambiane HP111 tungsten dim luminaires fitted with 60-degree lenses. The XP56 fixtures were selected for their output, enabling even illumination throughout the auditorium.

Elsewhere, 24 surface-mounted Ambiane SP16 tungsten dim luminaires serve as the venue’s primary turret uplights alongside 12 Calumma XS SC RGBW fixtures. The Juliet recesses are illuminated using six Calumma XS SC units, while the rear balcony ceiling is enhanced with five Calumma M MC RGBW fixtures and eight Calumma M luminaires. Backstage blue-light illumination is provided by six recessed Ambiane RGBW SP16 fixtures.

Beyond replacing the ageing lighting infrastructure, the project also introduced colour capability throughout the auditorium, allowing the venue to create more dynamic visual environments for performances and special events.

“Good quality lighting was essential for this project with smooth and effective colour mixing and rendering, it didn’t just need brightness, but plenty of finesse,” explained Micah Johnson.

As a heritage-listed venue featuring extensive timber finishes and distinctive red seating, maintaining the familiar warmth of the original tungsten lighting formed a key part of the design brief. The Anolis product portfolio enabled the team to replicate the existing ambience while delivering the benefits of modern LED technology.

The heritage status of the building also presented practical installation challenges, with the project team aiming to reuse as many existing ceiling openings and fixing points as possible. Where adaptations were required, Installation Theatrical Engineering (ITE), based in Melbourne, fabricated bespoke mounting brackets to accommodate the new luminaires while minimising structural intervention.

One notable outcome of the project was the development of the Ambiane SP16 Surface Mount fixture featuring a 30-degree tilt. Requested by Eddie Galak specifically for the installation, Anolis developed the product to meet the project’s unique requirements before subsequently adding it to its commercial product range.

For Johnson, the challenge extended beyond technical performance. Achieving modern compliance, improved flexibility and greater output while preserving the visual familiarity of the venue required careful balancing of heritage considerations with contemporary lighting technology.

The completed installation has significantly enhanced the venue’s operational flexibility, allowing lighting moods and ambience to be adjusted quickly and efficiently for different performances and events. A Paradigm controller manages the house lighting system, with integration into the venue’s stage lighting control infrastructure and touch-panel remote access providing simplified day-to-day operation.

Reflecting on the project, Johnson praised Anolis for its product consistency and versatility. He noted the manufacturer’s quality control, colour mixing and output performance, while also highlighting the flexibility offered through its extensive range of optics, lenses and mounting options. He added that the close relationship between Anolis and sister company Robe lighting further strengthens the brand’s appeal for theatrical applications.

As part of the broader technical modernisation, Studio Entertech also specified a new stage lighting system for Llewellyn Hall, including updated dimming and wiring infrastructure.