Stephenson & Turner were engaged to deliver a high-quality exterior lighting design for Shed 5, one of Wellington’s most iconic historic buildings on the Wellington Waterfront.

Shed 5 sits on one of the most prominent and busiest pedestrian corridors in the city. The design brief required a lighting solution that would significantly improve night-time safety, enhance amenities, and respect the building’s heritage character. The solution needed to meet current standards for pedestrian lighting performance without resorting to pole-mounted luminaires due to the space and heritage constraints.

S&T Lighting developed a discreet, façade-mounted LED lighting design using warm 3000K low-glare luminaires to deliver consistent, ambient illumination around the entire building perimeter. A key priority was illuminating the seaside promenade and wharf edge for safe pedestrian movement, while avoiding intrusive spill light into the restaurants. The lighting integrates seamlessly with the heritage fabric of Shed 5 and subtly enhances its architectural features at night.

All luminaires are controlled via a wireless Casambi lighting control system, allowing tailored lighting levels across different sections of the promenade and during various times of night. Under typical conditions, luminaires operate at 40% output to conserve energy, with the flexibility to increase to 100% during events or emergencies.

Durable, energy-efficient fittings from BEGA—known for their “Sustainable by Design” approach—were selected for their longevity, robustness, and low maintenance needs in Wellington’s harsh coastal environment.

The Shed 5 project stands as a leading example of how architectural lighting design can enhance both the function and identity of historic urban spaces, creating a safe, welcoming experience for all who move through Wellington’s waterfront at night.

Read more on the Wellington Waterfront Promenade project below.