Melbourne Museum
The Melbourne Museum is a unique modern style museum largely dedicated to life science and Australasian icons. Visitors can enjoy the interaction of the different galleries and marvel at the many life size skeletons of creatures millions of years old. The museum is situated in Melbourne 's Carlton gardens nestled between the Imax Theatre and the Royal Exhibition Buildings . It is one of Melbourne 's main attractions and is the perfect outing for those from all walks of life.
This project is another example of how a flexible lighting control system, combined with a skilled and innovative local supplier and integrator, can respond to a challenge and achieve a result that far exceeds the original scope of works, on time and within budget. Lightmoves were awarded this project largely due to their ability to incorporate multiple requirements into one overall solution, providing a high level of integration and user flexibility.
With over 1,400 dimmer channels and 200 channels of contactor control, the project comprised of two basic sections:
Initially, there was no requirement for gallery spaces to integrate with the main base building system. Lightmoves saw the potential for a totally integrated solution and suggested adapting the specification to provide simple interoperability and innumerable benefits.
A high level interface between the lighting control and the building management systems (BAS) was required as no common protocol existed with the flexibility to control both the mechanical and electrical elements on one platform. This was done using Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) which allowed the BAS to send or receive any lighting command whilst being fully aware of the status of all lighting devices.
In addition to the basic lighting requirements, it was essential that DMX512 capability was available in the gallery spaces. Dynalite's DyNet-to-DMX converters were installed and utilized if no theatrical lighting desk was available to light temporary exhibits. Gallery spaces also included a distributed AV system, as most exhibits contain some form of interactive multimedia. In most cases, the lighting demands need to change at times dictated by the AV controller. This objective was achieved on a per gallery basis, with DTK932 RS232-to-DyNet converters allowing the A/V system to fully replicate the DyNet commands and have full lighting control.
Lightmoves decided to include Dynalite's ControlSoft graphical user software as the central controller. ControlSoft's Planview feature allows building managers to view the status of the lighting, museum-wide, at a glance. Lightmoves also incorporated a phone line connected to the Lighting Control PC which allowed for true offsite monitoring. This allowed the museum staff to become familiar with the new system with the added assurance that a Dynalite-trained engineer could address any variations required immediately and in real time without disrupting the Museum's day-to-day activities.
In addition to the basic lighting requirements, it was essential that DMX512 capability was available in the gallery spaces. Dynalite's DyNet-to-DMX converters were installed and are utilized if no theatrical lighting desk is available to light temporary exhibits.
Gallery spaces also included a distributed AV system, as most exhibits contain some form of interactive multimedia. In most cases, the lighting demands need to change at times dictated by the AV controller. This objective was achieved on a per gallery basis, with DTK932 RS232-to-DyNet converters allowing the A/V system to fully replicate the DyNet commands and have full lighting control.
Although not called for in the tender, Lightmoves decided to include Dynalite's ControlSoft graphical user software as the central controller. ControlSoft's Planview feature allows building managers to view the status of the lighting, museum-wide, at a glance. Lightmoves also recommended that a phone line be connected to the Lighting Control PC, which, along with the installation of PC-Anywhere software, has allowed for true offsite monitoring. Lightmoves incorporated this feature into the system design, as they believed it provided an important aid to the client. The remote monitoring facility allowed museum staff to become familiar with the new system, with the added assurance that a Dynalite-trained engineer could address any variations required immediately and in real time without disrupting the Museum's day-to-day activities.
The software has proven so successful, that Lightmoves now intend to activate the ‘Roll Call' feature within ControlSoft. This enables automated polling and reporting of the status of all network devices, providing an additional safeguard against disturbance and downtime. An email is sent detailing any fault found.
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