ERCO Case Study: Bringing Old & New Together at Newcastle Art Gallery
October 2026 Case Study
First opened on its current site in 1977, the Newcastle Art Gallery is one of the most notable regional cultural institutions in Australia. Its importance is only growing as NSW second city continues its evolution from coal port and heavy industry hub to a popular tourist, commercial and cultural magnet.
A multi-million dollar expansion of the Gallery opened in early 2026, funded by state and federal government grants and local philanthropy. The new spaces allow for greater opportunity to showcase the Gallery’s expansive collection, and also to host travelling exhibitions and tailored commissions – brought together under the theme of Locally Grounded, Nationally Engaged, Globally Minded.
Bringing Old & New Together
Merging an existing building and new build area demanded the talents of an extended interiors team. Consistent lighting throughout was important, despite the galleries boasting different levels of natural light and different mounting architecture.
Suspended, surface-mounted & hidden track
For a lighting designer, the Gallery is a case study in track infrastructure and spotlight fundamentals. Throughout the gallery spaces, the lighting design uses techniques including flanged track discreetly recessed into plasterboard ceiling, surface-mounted track on a concrete ceiling, track concealed between perforated false ceiling panels, and elegant suspended track that allows for both the retention of an architectural ceiling design and the placement of spotlights at the correct height for artwork displays.
This network of track is ready to play host to whatever spotlight and lens combination the installed exhibition demands. The Gallery has a stock-in-hand of ERCO Parscan, Eclipse and Eclipse 48V luminaires, with matching interchangeable lenses and accessories, a curator’s dream for delivering exceptional visitor experiences every time the exhibition changes.
Lighting in glass cabinets
Lighting glass cabinets with glass shelving presents a host of lighting challenges. Displays can be viewed from either side, there are important sight-lines through the cabinets to the gallery spaces beyond, and the potential for unwanted reflections is everywhere. Lighting designers placed lines of ERCO minirail along the length of each side of the cases, with ERCO 48V spotlights commissioned to place illuminance exactly – and only – where it is needed. Heat and light exposure to the exhibits is kept to a minimum and viewers are rewarded with a quality, three-dimensional, glare-free experience.
Exit through the gift shop
Recognising the important financial contribution a successful retail outlet can make to a gallery, Newcastle extended its investment in lighting to the gift shop. As you can see in the image, the result is merchandise presented in the most attractive manner to tempt visitors.
Newcastle Art Gallery
Newcastle Art Gallery is one of the most notable regional cultural institutions in Australia, with a permanent collection of 7,000 works of art celebrating past and present, especially local artists of the Hunter region.
Arup
Global consultancy Arup boasts extensive technical and advisory expertise in the field of the built environment, with a leading lighting design and advisory practice that is behind the illumination of many of the world’s most beautiful buildings.
MEGS Lighting
Museum, Exhibition & Gallery Services (MEGS) Lighting is an independent lighting design consultancy based in Melbourne, Australia, directed by architectural and museum lighting designer Adam Meredith.
Steensen Varming
Balancing inspiration and expertise, the Steensen Varming lighting design team is dedicated to improving the understanding, appreciation and design of our visual and built environment.
Jadecross
Jadecross is a team of architectural lighting professionals dedicated to delivering carefully detailed lighting installations across the workplace, healthcare, hospitality, retail and public space & infrastructure sectors.
Find our more about the products used here:
Client: Newcastle Art Gallery
Lighting Design Contributors: Arup | MEGS Lighting | Steensen Varming
Engineer: Arup
Channel Partner: Jadecross
Photographer: Jackie Chan
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