Library+ Caloundra needed to turn a former council administration building into a landmark civic hub — a modern public library, customer service centre, offices, and flexible community spaces, all under one roof. JD Lighting supplied customised commercial lighting throughout the three-level fitout, from statement circular pendants and colour-changing facade lighting to warm reading zones and practical workspace illumination, so the building reads as both a bold architectural landmark and a genuinely welcoming place to spend the day.
Here's how the lighting design comes together across Library+ Caloundra.
The brief: a civic landmark built for connection
Sunshine Coast Council set out to transform its former administration building into a contemporary community hub — one that could hold a public library, customer service centre, office space, and flexible community areas without any of those functions feeling like an afterthought. Delivered by Hutchinson Builders, the redevelopment needed a lighting design that could work just as hard: bold enough to give the building a civic identity from the street, and considered enough to feel calm and comfortable for the people using it every day.
A statement entrance and atrium
The building's arrival sequence is anchored by large-scale circular pendants — one beneath the entry canopy and a second, larger ring suspended over the atrium's mirrored ceiling feature above the central timber stair. Both fixtures give Library+ Caloundra an unmistakable identity the moment visitors step off the street, while doubling as wayfinding cues that draw people up through the building's open, multi-level layout.
A landmark from the street
The entry canopy pendant is the first thing visitors see, giving the building a clear, unmistakable identity before they've even stepped inside.
One form, tying the levels together
The larger ring pendant above the timber stair repeats the entrance's circular language, drawing the eye upward and connecting the ground floor to the levels above.
A landmark after dark
Colour-changing LED wash lighting was integrated into the building's dramatic cantilevered roofline and facade, giving Library+ Caloundra a second identity once the sun goes down. Shifting through purple and green tones, it turns the building into a genuine landmark on the street corner, visible well before visitors reach the entrance.
Warm reading zones and communal gathering spaces
Inside, the lighting shifts register entirely. The tiered timber stair doubles as informal reading and gathering space, lit to feel warm and low-key rather than clinical, while the surrounding lounge and study areas use a mix of soft ambient light and task lighting to support everything from quiet reading to group study sessions. Curtained breakout zones and casual seating give visitors places to settle in for longer, with lighting that stays comfortable no matter how the space is being used.
A colourful, welcoming children's zone
The children's area takes a livelier approach, with bold ceiling colour and linear LED detailing used to define the space without relying on harsh overhead light. It's a deliberate contrast to the calmer tones through the rest of the library — playful enough to draw families in, while still practical for staff working the borrow and return points nearby.
Flexible meeting rooms and maker spaces
Beyond the library floor, a large circular pendant defines the pre-function space outside the building's meeting and function rooms, while a dedicated maker space upstairs relies on clean, even task lighting to support hands-on workshops and creative programs. Across both areas, the brief was the same — light that supports whatever the room is being used for that day, from council meetings to community workshops.
The result: a library built for connection, learning, and community
The completed lighting design helps Library+ Caloundra work as a genuine multi-purpose civic building — a landmark on the street, a calm and welcoming place to read and study, and a flexible venue for community life, all lit to suit exactly what's happening in each space.
- Statement circular pendants at the entrance, atrium, and pre-function areas
- Colour-changing LED facade and roofline lighting for after-dark civic presence
- Warm ambient and task lighting through reading, lounge, and study zones
- Bold linear LED detailing in the children's area
- Practical task lighting for the maker space, offices, and customer service areas
Project at a glance
The key details behind the Library+ Caloundra lighting design.
| Client | Sunshine Coast Council — Library+ Caloundra |
|---|---|
| Builder | Hutchinson Builders |
| Location | Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, QLD |
| Sector | Civic / public library and community facility |
| Scope | Statement pendant lighting, colour-changing facade lighting, ambient & task lighting throughout |
| Delivered by | JD Lighting |
Frequently Asked Questions
What lighting did JD Lighting supply for Library+ Caloundra?
Statement circular pendants at the entrance, atrium, and meeting room pre-function space, colour-changing LED facade and roofline lighting, warm ambient and task lighting through the reading and study zones, and practical lighting for the children's area, maker space, offices, and customer service centre.
Where is Library+ Caloundra located?
In Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, in the redeveloped former council administration building.
Who built Library+ Caloundra?
The redevelopment was delivered by Hutchinson Builders, with lighting supplied by JD Lighting.
What was the goal of the lighting design?
To give the building a strong civic identity both day and night, while supporting the full range of everyday uses inside — from quiet reading and study to children's programs, community meetings, and hands-on workshops.
Planning lighting for a civic or community project?
Projects like Library+ Caloundra start with how a building will actually be used, not a fixed lighting plan. JD Lighting works with:
- Statement pendant and feature lighting for civic entrances and atriums
- Colour-changing LED facade and architectural lighting
- Ambient, task, and zone-specific lighting for libraries, offices, and community spaces
