ERCO Case Study: AGWA's complex Brutalist architecture presents a unique lighting challenge
October 2026 Case Study
Located in Perth's Cultural Centre, the Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) is one of the state's leading cultural institutions. Its striking Brutalist architecture sits alongside other important state institutions, such as the State Library, State Theatre and WA Museum. They combine into a cultural hub well worthy of diversion for WA visitors, and popular with local residents and students.
Spacious Gallery 5 is one of many exhibition spaces at AGWA. ERCO Channel Partner in WA, H.I. Lighting assisted with the required lighting for the space, designing a flexible system that the curatorial and gallery teams could adjust to suit ever-changing exhibits.
Preferred Optical Solution
The complex triangular ceiling architecture is a valued feature of Gallery 5, and the lighting design needed to work with it. ERCO track spans between the concrete channels. The Optec New Spotlight is a durable and sustainable ERCO spotlight that combines entry-level pricing with advanced features including interchangeable lenses. AGWA opted for neutral colour temperature 3500K, with a colour rendering index (CRI) 92. Casambi controls were incorporated to enable quick adjustment of lighting scenes and dimming levels with the luminaires in place, reducing setup times and improving efficiency during exhibition changeovers.
No time for down time
The key challenge faced by the gallery was the limited turnaround time between exhibitions. In many cases, only a few days are available to decommission one exhibition and prepare the space for the next, often with a completely different look. Gallery 5’s first exhibit since the new lighting was installed comprised lots of ceramic pieces. Using wallwash, oval flood and wide flood lenses, the lighting was set up to illuminate large areas rather than focus on individual pieces.
The gallery team can keep the majority of the lighting in place for the next exhibit, only changing the aiming and lenses as required, adding narrower spot lenses and framers if the display calls for it. This flexibility significantly reduces the labour required for exhibition changeovers, allowing staff to adapt the lighting scheme without extensive repositioning or replacement of luminaires.
Optec New's CRI92 colour rendering supports accurate presentation of artwork, highlighting the rich colours and textures of Pippin Drysdale's ceramics.
Flexibility on show
The latest exhibition in Gallery 5 features street artist Stormie Mills. It demonstrates how the same lighting infrastructure can support a vastly different presentation while maintaining consistent visual quality.
Lighting for the future
The new lighting installation has been well received by gallery staff and stakeholders, providing a flexible solution that supports a wide range of exhibition types. It has set a standard that will be extended throughout the institution as funding allows. Especially welcome is the longevity of the track infrastructure and the ERCO brands commitment to a prolonged lifespan for individual luminaires.
Art Gallery of Western Australia
Publicly owned State art gallery, part of the Perth Cultural Precinct. The first work of art for the collection was purchased in 1895, and the collection now numbers in excess of 18,000 pieces.
H.I.Lighting
With over 45 years of experience H.I.Lighting is a leading presence in the commercial lighting industry, involved in some of Perth's largest commercial developments.
Pippin Drysdale
Pippin Drysdale is an Australian ceramic artist and art teacher, regarded as the foremost interpreter of the Australian landscape in the field of ceramics.
Find our more about the products used here:
Client: Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA)
Channel Partner: H.I.Lighting
Artist shown on exhibition: Pippin Drysdale
Additional phot credit: ABC Emma Wynne
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