Melbourne's urban landscape is constantly evolving, and at the forefront of this transformation stands 888 Collins Street, a building that redefined facade innovation in Australia.
888 Collins Street success is a testament to collaboration, including Adherettes, a company with rich history in Australian signage and printing. Established in 1956 in Melbourne, Adherettes initially manufactured vinyl decals. Under the Ernst family ownership from 1976, it expanded into a fully diversified signage company and grew into a major player in the industry, known for its work with large clients like ANZ, Telstra, and Westfield.
From arriving in Australia to build a new life, to becoming a market leader in the field is an achievement that should be recognized. It was more than just a large corporation to us; it was the mirror of grit and determination that started from humble beginnings. In 2020, OMG! acquired the company, carrying forward more than five decades of knowledge and expertise – a legacy that now lives on as part of OMG.CO.
Adherettes set a benchmark for innovation – and as OMG.CO, we’re proud to advance that legacy, driving the next chapter of industry excellence.
888 Collins Street is Melbourne's first weather-reactive light installation, soaring 15-storey high. The luminous facade taps into Melbourne’s collective weather watching obsession, as well as public art, in a strong collaboration with Lendlease, Woods Bagot and Ramus. The luminous interactive facade encourages artists to deliver high impact and inspiring art in the public domain.
Towering lines of custom-designed LED lights, creates a display of the next day's forecast from Bureau of Meteorology data feed through generative visual interpretation, programmed by Ramus. At all other times, the facade reflects real-time weather conditions collected by a weather station on the rooftop. The stunning facade serves as a beacon of inspiration, uniting residents and visitors in their shared love of art and commitment to sustainable living.
The content is displayed across 2.4 kilometers of custom-fabricated linear LED lighting fixtures, embedded within 35 full-height vertical fins that flank 5,500m2 of the building's facade. The installation, featuring 85,000 pixels and an estimated 2.5 million LED individual components was the first of its kind in Australia, and at the time of completion, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
Adherettes’ commitment to innovation extended to every detail. The entire system from the circuitry and light layout to the orientation of componentry and fixture design was custom engineered for this specific project. The light fittings, which contain the LED light modules, were meticulously fastened into purpose-built cavities within the building's facade. These cavities were constructed at a tuned depth to precisely control the angle and intensity of light leaving the fitting. This careful design restricted the viewing angle, ensuring no light entered the apartments of 888 Collins Street, whilst effectively controlling illumination into surrounding areas.
Adherettes even designed a new type of IP-rated LED screen specifically for the project, custom-built and purpose-manufactured. Safe installation and maintenance at height were a large factor in the preliminary stages of the project.
888 Collins Street is a true benchmark, not only for its scale and technical complexity but also for its foresight in aligning with contemporary facade trends. The luminous interactive facade is a symbol of sustainable practices that set the benchmark for both architecture and art. It is a pioneer in smart facades, integrating real-time data and responsive technology into the buildings' skin. As part of the larger Victoria Harbour precinct, developed by Lendlease, the building has a 5-Star Green Star rating and is recognized as one of Australia’s greenest precincts. Its reliance on solar power for the entire lighting system, positions 888 Collins Street at the forefront of sustainable design and energy efficiency – a critical focus in the Australian construction landscape.
We are incredibly proud to carry forward the legacy of innovation by Adherettes, exemplified by projects like 888 Collins Street. OMG.CO will continue to build upon this foundation, leveraging cutting-edge technology and bespoke manufacturing capabilities to deliver beautiful signage and facade projects that push the boundaries even further.
