Imagine if you will this is where we live, a great waterway that is a mix of the Pacific Ocean and fresh water. Here at the confluence of salt and fresh water are mangroves, which harbour and protect the spurning fish and grazing stingrays. Ancient magnificent cliff faces tower over one, as you look up at the gum trees; Australian spotted gums and angophoras, which bloom in family groves, trees that daringly plunge to the waters edge and hang high on steep sandstone escarpments.

What I soon discovered about architectural lighting was to light the set and in this case the building itself. Lighting the set rather than the actors is what I do for the most part. I created the fill light in this case as a bounced light. This meant that the people moving about this architectural environment were lit by reflected light. I used frosted glass, low voltage lamps encased in solid marine grade brass housing with their own snoots which suited the boat-like detailing of the architecture.

It did not finish there however, as part of the assignment was lighting a confined area where I designed my own 1.6meter soft box to mimic the direction of the daylight from the attic skylight.

This was a fabrication of stainless steel that I had made up in mirror-back surface and sandblasted the outside to blend in with the skylight area. The light sources were cool light, which I measured to be about 5,000 degrees Kelvin and as long life units, that gave me the foot-candles without too much heat. I find the process of Lighting Design in an architectural situation no different than when I am drawing up a light concept and plan for a feature film.

As a final note, Richard who is one of those people in life one likes to take a measure of ones own value and purpose in life, has become a proven friend. He is more than an architect, boat designer, father and educator. Dare I say he is despite a time of greed, grunge and uncertainty a Renaissance man.

He then invited me to refurbish a magnificent 16 foot custom sailing boat … ah this is another adventure!