The luminaires behind Casba’s award-winning, Moroccan-inspired apartments and communal spaces

Lighting an apartment complex to match a rich, layered Moroccan-inspired design

Casba started life as a warehouse precinct on Danks Street, Waterloo. But from 2010, the site was reimagined as a mixed-use destination. Developed by Billard Leece Partnership and SJB Architects, with the interiors by BKH Studio, it would house 65 residential apartments. It would result in a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom homes sat alongside 3,000 m² of ground-level retail and hospitality. The complex draws on influences from Southern Spanish and North African cultures. Recycled brick, handcrafted imported rattan furniture, and natural stone floors set the tone with bronzed metal and rich timbers layered on top. And lastly, the lighting had to match that ambition without competing with it.

Therefore, the challenge was scale and variety. The complex required apartment lighting across every area. Kitchens, living rooms, hallways, balconies, and bedrooms all had different requirements. As well as the communal courtyard with the reflecting pool. The exterior spaces raised their own demands. Balcony and pool fittings had to be weatherproof. The team needed to streamline the standard lighting and blend it into the space. However, sculptural fixtures needed to stand out and suit the Moroccan-inspired aesthetic.

A hands-on process from first samples through to custom manufacturing and delivery

We manufactured, configured and delivered the complete lighting package to the Waterloo site. The process started with samples. Once those were approved, we moved to the display units for the show apartments. And following that, the Superlight team jumped into full production for the building. This staged approach meant the team could see and test the products before committing to them. And it kept the project running smoothly. As a Sydney-based manufacturer, we can configure products to meet exact specifications. For Casba, the contractors requested several specific adaptations:

• The SL2955 downlight was reduced in height to fit within shallow ceiling cavities.
• Striplighting and HLP7822 skirting mounting profiles were cut to length before delivery. This allows trades to install them directly with no on-site modification.
• Specific wattages and colour temperatures were adjusted to suit across the building.
• The Ovoid was custom-finished in Dulux Mid Bronze Matt for the apartment hallways.

Throughout the kitchens, the electrical contractors used RGB Superstrip ribbon above benches and along kickboards. The HLP7822 skirting profile gave each run a neat, low-profile housing that sits flush with the joinery. Slimline recessed downlights provide general lighting across living spaces. And the refinished Oovid wall fixture suits the look and feel of the apartments.

Additionally, we supplied a range of exterior products to illuminate gardens, the pool and balconies. The contractors and designers chose the SL2251 surface-mount downlight for its clean profile and weatherproof rating. Finished in warm white, it blends into the ceiling above the balconies. Designed for high-end applications, the SL6192 up-and-down cube fittings suited the space. Contractors installed wall-mounted products on select balconies and in common spaces. And technicians fitted the communal pool with luminaires built for permanent underwater use. Surrounding the pool, Pluto 7 uplights cast a warm glow across the courtyard gardens. Meanwhile, the MXV-2 architectural floodlight covered broader exterior illumination.

From the first sample to the last fitting, a process built on communication and craftsmanship

Overall, the living and retail complex feels cohesive and inspired for living. Throughout the apartments, Superlight luminaires blend in with the design of the building. Residents move through an even spread of light across every room. In the kitchens, the strip lighting adds depth to the joinery. Acting as task lighting, it works with the downlights, without dominating the space. Hallways feel considered and calm. The custom bronze-finished wall luminaire features earthy tones seen throughout the building materials.

Outside, the apartment lighting scheme transforms the shared spaces after dark. During the night, the pool glows clearly from below. Courtyard palms light up from the ground, giving the precinct the warmth of a resort. Balconies are well-lit without being harsh. And exterior cube wall luminaires hold their own against textured brick and wood. Finally, residents benefit from a communal environment that genuinely invites them outdoors. As a result, the courtyard, the pool, and the ground-level eateries all feel welcoming at night. That contributes directly to the sense of community that makes Casba feel full of life. It is a strong example of what an experienced approach can deliver. Since its build, Casba has gone on to win four major industry awards.

• The Australian Institute of Architects
• The Urban Development Institute of Australia
• The World Architecture Festival all recognised the project
• Best completed mixed-use building at the 2015 WAF awards
• The UDIA President’s Award named it the best development in NSW that year

Further reading:

• Read the SJB’s case study
• Learn about BKH’s interior design
• View the project at BLP

DOWNLOAD THE PDF