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Anolis Gets A Great Reception
Anolis LED fixtures have been installed into the Grand Ballroom of the Merrimu Reception Centre in Melbourne – and have proved a great hit with director Peter Batziakas’s various clients – which range from weddings to corporate events.
Merrimu (a local Koori word meaning ‘Meeting Place’) is a venue focussed on hosting functions and receptions of all types. The original homestead was built in 1882 and converted into a reception venue in 1955, with the Grand Ballroom – seating up to 400 guests - added in the late 1960s. Batziakis took over in 2005 and completely renovated the entire venue, working with interior designer Alistair Sarris from Kinetic Space.
Wanting to make Merrimu a unique experience in all ways, he decided that the renovations should include a spectacular colour-changing wall washing lighting installation. He was inspired to develop the concept after visiting the liveliest and most happening pubs and clubs around the city.
Sarris had specified Anolis fixtures for several previous lighting schemes and knew the brand was reliable and high quality, and so repeated the process at Merrimu. The Anolis fittings were installed by the project’s electrical contractors.
The venue features a combination of Anolis ArcSource 3 and 6 fittings. Sixty-five ArcSource 6s downlight all four walls of the rooms, while 32 ArcSource 3s are ensconced into the coved ceiling centrepiece, illuminating the centre of the room. All of these are driven by 4 ArcPower 144 drivers, giving independent control over the two areas.
Anolis was a good choice for many different reasons. The fixtures will give over 100,000 hours of life at approximately a tenth of the power consumption of using conventional lightsources for the job. They also require very little maintenance.
The Anolis kit was supplied along with an E:cue control system, featuring a specially customised front page for Merrimu, enabling the selection of different patterns, chases or looks.
The impact of the lighting scheme has been remarkable. “It creates an amazing sense of atmosphere and occasion,” enthuses Batziakis, who has many years experience in the event and hospitality business, so knows a thing or two about creating good vibes! “Ambience is crucial to the success and memorable nature of an event, and the lighting really makes this venue very special, imbibing it with its own character and life.”
Word of Merrimu’s lighting scheme has spread quickly. He reckons he also receives bookings – particularly for weddings – on the back of it. Merrimu’s busy schedule hosts approximately 12 weddings a month and the rest of the time is busy with various corporate functions and conferences.
ULA Group exclusively distributes Anolis and E:cue throughout Australia and New Zealand.
1st November 2007
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