LUMI is a wayfinding totem that uses dynamic lighting to support navigation and feelings of safety for late-night commuters. Public spaces often feel uncertain at night, with 63% of women and 31% of men avoiding walking in their local area after dark. Designed for the Mornington Civic Reserve, a major walkway between shops and residential areas, LUMI guides young and vulnerable pedestrians softly rather than with harsh street lighting. Placed along a pathway, the totems communicate to create a wave of atmospheric light. Adaptable and minimal, LUMI can comfort, guide, or simply act as a display, reminding us that safety is shaped through environments that see us back.
Outstanding Project: Design for Wayfinding
LUMI projection render
Render of LUMI with simulated light projection around the base. The pattern was inspired by the native plants and aims to evoke feelings of calmness through smooth and organic characteristics. Patterns may differ if designed for other spaces, i.e. reflecting local artists' work, environmental motifs or symbols for the community.
Exploded view
Diagram of LUMI showcasing its components. The body is made from a grey powder-coated steel sheet for outdoor use, and it's and paired with aluminium to tie into Melbourne's design language - i.e. smart bins, benches and signage. It features a solar panel for ease of placement and two light sources: a soft LED which shines through the cut-outs and a harsh LED strip for increased visibility.
In-situ day
Shows the totem in the space it's designed for - the Mornington Civic Reserve. It was important to me that the simplicity of the design showed respect for the space around it.
In-situ night
At night, LUMI brings the space to life, illuminating ahead of pedestrians to guide them and to add a comforting presence to the space. The totems stay lit within a broad range, creating an atmosphere that follows them without disrupting the wildlife or residents who share the space.
Model at night
In action, the projections illuminate a 2 meter radius of the totems, which span the length of a pathway. This also highlights the ground quality - in this case revealing the grass texture, but in other cases may show uneven surfaces or hazards.
LUMI Range
As part of the LUMI range, I've created a wall/ceiling module that is more compact and affixable. This allows the lighting technique to be applied discretely to other dark and uncertain spaces, such as tunnels, alleyways and underpasses.
In the spirit of reconciliation Monash University acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
