CDB MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA

THE PRODUCT:

  -  CLIPSO – GRAND-FORMAT FABRIC TENSION CEILING & WALL SYSTEMS

TYPE: ceiling-mounted

INDUSTRY: corporate

APPLICATION: aesthetic treatment

GRAPHICS: illuminated white

SIZES: various sizes, shapes & forms manufactured to specification on order

LOCATION: Auckland

ARCHITECT: Dark Arts Studio

INSTALLATION: CDB - Contractor

OVERVIEW:

The brief for the new CBD workspace in Melbourne called for more than illumination — it called for a system that could quietly shape the experience of the space. Working alongside The Dark Arts Studio, the outcome was a series of 16 bespoke suspended ceiling forms, each engineered to operate as both a lighting instrument and an architectural gesture.

Each element was resolved as a square with softened radiused corners — a deliberate move away from hard geometry to introduce a more considered, human-centric language overhead. Suspended in sequence, the forms create a calm visual rhythm, reinforcing spatial flow while maintaining a refined, minimal presence. Integrated tuneable backlighting allows the system to shift between soft ambient illumination and more focused task lighting, all controlled seamlessly through the building’s central management system.

From a specification and delivery standpoint, the project was approached as a fully coordinated system rather than a collection of individual components. Every ceiling element was developed as a complete kit of parts — pre-engineered, pre-assembled, and packaged in custom crates for direct shipment from New Zealand to the site. This ensured installation could be undertaken efficiently by the appointed electrical contractor, reducing complexity on site while maintaining absolute consistency across all 16 forms.

Crucially, the design resolution extended beyond initial installation. Access for maintenance, serviceability of lighting components, and integration with control infrastructure were all embedded into the system from the outset — ensuring long-term performance aligned with the original design intent.

The result is a ceiling environment that operates on multiple levels. At a functional level, it delivers high-performance, adaptable lighting suited to a dynamic workspace. At an architectural level, it introduces a sculptural layer that elevates the spatial experience without overwhelming it.

Projects such as this demonstrate the evolving role of illuminated ceiling systems — moving beyond static fixtures into responsive, integrated architectural elements that support both the technical and experiential demands of contemporary interior environments.