In July 2013, Wellington City Council approached S&T to work on a lighting installation for Opera House Lane. The project is part of an initiative to make Wellington’s urban spaces safer and livelier.

S&T’s lighting designer, took on the challenge to revitalise the lane and make it more appealing by installing colour-changing, movable light fittings capable of creating a playful and interactive environment.

He also used light to draw attention to a Kaynemaile chandelier, made from a locally-invented material that was used as a lightweight alternative to chainmail in The Lord of the Rings films.

As lighting design is a relatively new field in urban environments, it was a great opportunity to creatively reinvent this once “dodgy” alleyway into a space for pedestrians to pass through and enjoy the lights.