The Inside Story On Lighting Design For Readings, Chadstone
Readings Chadstone, 2025
Harnessing illumination to elevate mood, behavioural response and to complement the sustainability ethos of the project.
Located within Chadstone’s new Market Pavilion precinct, Readings store (by Interior architects Kerstin Thompson) embodies a thoughtful exploration of sustainable design principles in retail environments.
A hallmark of the space is the suspended paper lantern, measuring 23m by 3.4m. The piece was produced in collaboration with designer Edward (Ed) Linacre. It was fabricated from recycled paper sourced from misprinted books unsuitable for retail distribution, this installation transforms publishing waste into a feature that showcases the brand’s commitment to sustainability. It’s lighting design worth writing about.
INTERIOR DESIGN/ARCHITECTURE
Kerstin Thompson Architects
BUILD
EMAC
LIGHTING DESIGN/SUPPLY
ambience
We spoke with ambience Architectural Lighting Designer, Henriette Bjerke about the overall architectural lighting design for the project:
Howdy Henri, can you give us a little background on the brief?
Sure. It was a big focus on creating an industrial and organic look. Sustainability was a pillar of the project and a guiding principle wherever physically possible.
We also had to make sure we allowed for sufficient light (obviously to highlight the products well). We had to strike a balance between complementing the mood of clientele when browsing and enjoying the space, but also realising you need to sell books.
Henriette Bjerke
Piccolo Surface/Concealed
Panorama Smooth Wall Mounted
Medley Surface/Concealed
Creative idea/response?
At first, we wanted to mount the andro spotlight on a suspended rod, and the idea went ahead at the beginning – until we met some challenges with the installation due to ceiling material. It would have looked amazing, but we changed for a suspended track system instead – which turns out it might’ve been for the best. I love the clean look of it!
We also positioned the custom wall light by the shopfront. It started when we met some challenges with how to light up the bookshelves in the shopfront, so we developed and created a curved shroud, placing a Piccolo from Symphony Lighting behind it.
LANTERN
Edward Linacre
PHOTOGRAPHY
Will Neill
CONTACT US
(03) 9403 6400
Speaking of challenges, were there others to overcome?
Besides the example in the previous question, the lantern went through lots of stages, and is a creative idea/process in itself. It was a challenge to test and illuminate the paper, for acceptable light emit, and wasn’t the easiest to light up due to the transmission rate. We tested multiple illumination sources (Ingot trackspots and probably all the LED profiles we had at our disposal). Eventually, the transmission rate got better (higher) and we managed to help Ed create a beautiful and glowing lantern box with a very energy efficient light source. Great result all round.
Favourite thing about the project?
I love the overall industrial feel. But I think it must be everything that happened around the lantern box. Doing multiple testing and discussing the result with the team (Kerstin Thompson Architects, Ed, EMAC and the ambience lighting designers and product developers) to achieve the result we wanted.
Any unique objects in the application/design?
The lantern box for sure, and the shopfront wall light (curved shroud), as the minimal discreet design blends in with the joinery, providing a gentle layer of illumination.
What makes this a special retail project?
It’s sustainable in an innovative way. All parties have collaborated well to achieve the best result, and the lantern box can be seen as Readings Chadstone’s identity/DNA.
Now the bit you’ve been dying to tell us about. What where the lighting products used?
Track spots – andro M wide beam and andro M narrow beam for bookshelves; (mainly wide beam for bookshelves) and narrow beam for the displays at the floor. Both with honeycomb Louvre and non-brushed aluminium, or Nude version.
Symphony Lighting Panorama mounted to the brackets over/ in line with the bookshelves as decorative and functional lighting.
Symphony Lighting Piccolo 8W/m for joinery/ shelves of displays.
Symphony Lighting Medley 20W/m on top of the bookshelves for wall wash effect.
Boost 25W/m for the lantern box.
Symphony Lighting Piccolo for the custom wall light in the shopfront.
Other than that, we used Kit Mini S for the shopfront and Cade for BOH, all in 3000K.
Awesome Henri, the store looks incredible. Lastly, any book tips?
Why don’t you give me one instead?
I will give two. Not at all inspired by a recent Japan trip. The Design Story of J.League, from Shukyu Magazine. And In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki.
Readings Chadstone is located in the Market Pavilion. We just love it in there, and you will too.
