MJ Bale, Martin Place
Preserving the historic charm with thoughtful lighting design
Mj Bale Martin Place
The recent grand opening of the MJ Bale flagship store, situated within the esteemed Sydney GPO building at No. 1 Martin Place, marked a significant milestone. Despite the inherent challenges presented by the building's heritage-listed status, particularly concerning lighting, the venue's design phase was thoughtfully planned and executed. Preservation of the original charm and essence of the interior was paramount throughout development, honouring the building's historical significance.
Mandy Edge, of Mandy Edge Design Studio, conceptualised the store's interior with a vision of "menswear as theatre." Notable features include impressive original eight-meter-high ceilings, intricate marble and gold wall finishes, striking graphic black and white floor tiles, and elegant timber floorboards.
To further enhance the interior ambiance, our XTI track spots were strategically utilised, prioritising high colour reproduction to bring the visual merchandise to life. The lighting solution underwent thorough computational and parametric design processes, meticulously refining elements in the digital realm to ensure every aspect of the work is appreciated and highlighted.
Given the restrictions imposed by the building's heritage status, our surface mounted adjustable XSF downlight series played a pivotal role in serving as bench uplighting. This method effectively highlighted featured columns and mannequins without altering the building's structural elements. Additionally, battens were strategically placed as uplighting, mounted atop the cabinetry, to accentuate the ceiling's intricate details and enhance the room's vibrancy and sense of spaciousness.
