The Rocks

The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest precinct, has a rich history and has some of the finest cultural and tourist sites in the city. Haron Robson were involved in this project since 2002 as part of an ongoing process to illuminate the façades of many prominent historical buildings as part of a long-term masterplan for The Rocks precinct.

The overall aim of the project was to improve nighttime visibility and enjoyment of the area at night by highlighting selected architectural features as well as improving the presentation and environmental performance of the area.

The challenge was to keep the lighting discreet and ensure it respected the heritage nature of the buildings. The solutions had to be honest in their form, particularly where they could not be secreted within the façade elements. This approach considered the constraints of the installation and the reality that such installations were never a part of the original design.

The design is a true team effort of planners, heritage architects, the client, contractors and us carrying out extensive on-site testing to prove the design worked, before it was installed. This approach also applied where modifications were required due to difficulties with cable access or to minimse damage to the fabric of the buildings.