Adelaide Airport has successfully completed a $200 million expansion of its domestic and international terminal. This marks the airport’s largest infrastructure project since the construction of its existing terminal in 2005. Despite the significant challenges caused by the global disruption to aviation during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project was delivered on time and within budget.  By the end of 2023, Adelaide Airport proudly unveiled its expanded terminal, marking a significant step forward for the region’s aviation network.

As part of the redevelopment HI Lighting were engaged to deliver a comprehensive lighting package upgrading areas including check-in, security, baggage claim, back-of-house areas and main domestic & international terminals, which included a custom retrofit lighting solution for the main public spaces within the terminal. The goal was to deliver a sustainable, energy efficient, easy to install and low maintenance retrofit lighting system seamlessly integrated into the aluminium luminaire bodies of the existing fluorescent luminaires.

To address the project’s unique requirements, HI Lighting partnered with South Australian manufacturer LPE Group, renowned for their high-quality products and exceptional customisation capabilities. Leveraging their expertise, LPE Group swiftly began developing multiple custom 3D-printed prototypes tailored to the project’s needs. After multiple iterations and thorough testing, a final solution was selected.  A key focus was placed on creating a product manufactured in South Australia, utilising locally sourced Australian components wherever possible. 

Due to the need to accommodate various body types, dimensions and wattages, multiple variations of the custom fitting were developed, resulting  in the production of 4,500 fittings over an intensive eight-week period.

The installation, overseen by Nilsen over a 10-week period, required meticulously planning to minimise disruption to the airport’s daily operations. As a result, the work was strictly scheduled during airport curfew hours (11pm-6am), involving a small team of installers and necessitating daily setup and dismantling of lifts and installation equipment. Despite these constraints, the innovative design of the fittings mounting slots allowed for quick and efficient installation, enabling the project to be completed ahead of schedule.

Responding to the client’s sustainability goals and commitment to zero-waste practices, LPE adapted their packaging strategy by implementing a system to collect and reuse foam and cardboard boxes used in transportation.

In addition to the custom made retrofit solution, HI Lighting also supplied a range of additional products throughout the project, including LPE’s Visionline VL70 for the security screening area, and Limelite’s BlockLED for back-of-house applications.

Developing a custom lighting solution for Adelaide Airport was a complex yet rewarding process that required close collaboration among all stakeholders.  Local manufacturing was pivotal to the success of the project and the luminaire has proven itself as a sustainable, energy-efficient, and low-maintenance lighting solution that exceeded expectations in terms of ease of installation and performance.

Project Team:

Adelaide Airport Authority
Nilsen
LPE Group
Sol Energy