Case study: A collaborative makeover for 83 Faraday St
It’s not often that lighting is considered from the very beginning of a project, but 83 Faraday St is testament to the magic that unfolds when it is. Nestled in the heart of Carlton, what was an old tie factory has been transformed into a light, bright home by developer Rachel Bickerton. Led by our project designer, Eddie Buyukbekir, Amphis crafted a lighting design that celebrates the building’s history while complementing its contemporary renovation.
Project snapshot
Location: Carlton, Melbourne
Client: Developer Rachel Bickerton
Lighting Design: Amphis, led by project designer Eddie Buyukbekir
Products Used: Perri, Bellucci, Cambio, Melba
Client vision
Once an industrial relic, visitors to 83 Faraday Street now cross the doorstep into a warm and comfortable home. With soaring ceilings and rich heritage, the vision was to retain the building’s character while creating a contemporary, welcoming space.
“Rachel’s excitement and openness made this project an absolute joy,” reflects Eddie. “Seeing the ideas come to life and following the journey from start to finish was incredibly rewarding.” The collaborative nature of the build allowed Amphis to experiment, innovate, and ultimately deliver a lighting design that perfectly balanced the needs of this unique space.
Amphis's approach
“The best part of projects like this is having the entire furniture layout planned in advance, allowing us to carefully consider the lighting and create the perfect atmosphere for each space” says Eddie. Attention was paid to all facets of the lighting design, from layout to product selection, ensuring each detail was tailored to the architecture and the client’s vision.
To honour the home’s past, Eddie created a layout that emphasised the natural textures of the original brick and timber. Every product was thoughtfully selected to seamlessly blend the past with the present. All-white fittings were selected to camouflage into the walls and ceiling, ensuring the architectural features of each room took centre stage.
A major advantage of working with a dedicated lighting designer is the level of customisation that can be achieved. During the consultation phase, it became clear that Rachel needed a flexible solution to future-proof the space, alongside support working around some unique architectural elements. The tight spaces and high ceilings in 83 Faraday St demanded creative problem-solving. In the main bedroom, a challenge with wall light placement led to an ingenious solution: stacking lights on one side and introducing a spotlight with dimmer. This quick pivot transformed a potential setback into a highlight of the room. In compact rooms and hallways, wall lights create the illusion of more space by drawing attention to the ceiling above.
Breaking away from convention, the lighting layout minimises the use of traditional downlights. Instead, manoeuvrable spotlights became the heroes of the home, “specified for their directional capabilities, allowing for movement and flexibility”. Tailored illumination such as this underscores the value of working with a lighting expert to turn obstacles into opportunities and elevate the final result. And, of course, professional expertise is crucial to have on-side if things go wrong…
Standout features
- Living and dining spaces: Directional Perri spotlights highlight the textured brick wall and artworks, while Bellucci wall lights create soft ambience.
- Outdoor Courtyard: Layered lighting carries the alfresco area from day to night, including a Cambio spotlight, Sabron wall light, and an under-shelf strip light.
- Kitchen: Task lighting takes precedence, with Melba surface-mounted downlights illuminating work areas and Perri spotlights adding flexibility for future adjustments.
Each room of 83 Faraday Street, lit with purpose, showcases how lighting can breathe new life into an old space. The result is a totally reimagined building that radiates warmth and light. If you’re looking to transform your space with bespoke lighting design, connect with Eddie and the Amphis team to bring your vision to light.