ERCO Case Study: Good home lighting is addictive

October 2025 Case Study

Apartment living is an increasingly popular choice, but no-one wants to compromise on fit-out quality and amenity. This Sydney couple found their Milsons Point apartment generous in size, with a genuinely home-like feel, but short of natural light. An initial renovation incorporated lighting chosen by an electrician: a series of downlights with little thought for the ERCO fundamentals of Architecture, Atmosphere and Activity. After a little research, they knew there was a better way – and they sought out the ERCO Experience Centre to explore what it was.

Increase general brightness

The initial brief was to increase general brightness in the living space. With low ceiling height and a narrow ceiling cavity, ERCO recommended the Compar wallwasher. It is a discreet fitting and can be accommodated with just 100mm of space above the plaster. The result is an overall wash of consistent general light reflecting into the room, reminiscent of what a window would provide. Wallwashing also complements the decorative fitting over the dining table, which looks elegant but fails to deliver much actual illuminance.

Accents and art

This dark corner was a particular challenge. The team tested a downlight over the sitting area, but the wallwash technique proved better again: less glare, and nice focus on the artworks.

Creating contrast is the solution when you want artwork to pop. In this demonstration, ERCO showed the effect of a framer lens on a painting. The client added a small piece of recessed track in the ceiling, and an Eclipse framer could be used to make the flowers in this classic piece glow.

See the light but not the luminaire

This study nook receives no natural light and is backed by a glass wall to make sure it doesn’t feel poky. Compar wallwashers either side of the glass wall shine light on the photo display and the corridor artwork, but do not reflect in the shiny intermediate surface. The owners look and this now and say, “I’m never installing a downlight again.”

A breath of air

Ceiling fans are most effective installed above the living space. In the relatively small confines of a bedroom, that restricts lighting options. You can’t have the light concealed by the fan blades, or worse still caused to flicker. Just two Compar wallwashers provide all the general light needed in the Master suite, complemented by picture windows and decorative bedside lamps.

Next on the do-list

These apartment owners are the first to admit that good lighting is addictive. Now that they understand the principles, the remnant poor lighting in their home is a constant irritant. Next on the do-list is to replace the glary downlights over the kitchen bench with Compar’s restrained 3-cell low glare downlight sibling, then to tackle the balcony where ERCO’s surface-mounted Iku will provide enough light for the residents to enjoy the outdoors and the outlook.

Find out more about products used here:

Compar Wallwasher | Eclipse Framer | Compar Downlight | Iku Surface-mounted