Project
The Barometer
Site
The Barometer
Location
Sydney, Australia
Developer
Mirvac
Pixel Controls
Enttec
Electrical Contractor
Elec Comm Services
Lighting Design & Supply
Light Project
Controls System Design, Integration and Commissioning
Martin Bevz
Casambi Commissioning Partner
Afterglow Controls
The Westpac Barometer on Sydney’s skyline was originally designed to reflect atmospheric pressure through light, but an outdated and failing system left it inactive for years. The project reimagined the installation with a modern, colour-changing LED system driven by live data, turning both the barometer and façade into a dynamic lighting feature. With Casambi providing intuitive control and integration, the system is now flexible, energy-efficient, and ready for future use and events.
The Westpac Barometer is a long-standing feature of Sydney’s skyline, originally designed to visually represent atmospheric pressure through light. When Mirvac initiated the project, the brief was straightforward: replace the failing lighting system on a like-for-like basis. However, the project revealed a much greater opportunity.
The original installation relied on first-generation LED technology and a proprietary control system that was no longer serviceable. At the same time, the building’s wider façade lighting, based on fluorescent tubes, had been switched off for years due to excessive obtrusive light. A once-iconic architectural feature had become dormant and unreliable.
Rather than replicate an outdated system, the project reimagined the Barometer entirely. The installation was upgraded to a colour-changing, pixel-addressable LED array, transforming both the barometer and the surrounding façade into a unified, dynamic lighting feature. Live open-source weather data was integrated into the control logic, allowing atmospheric pressure changes to be expressed as smooth, fluid lighting animations rather than static steps.
Casambi was selected as the control platform to sit above the highly complex backend system. While the façade lighting is driven by custom logic and live data feeds, Casambi provides a clear, intuitive front end for everyday operation. Authorised users can easily switch between live Barometer mode and curated façade scenes using the Casambi app, without needing to understand the underlying control infrastructure.
Casambi also plays a critical role in system integration and long-term operation. High-level commands and status feedback are shared with the building management system, enabling seamless coordination with the wider building services. Scheduling ensures the façade lighting operates only when required, replicating the original time-of-day intent while reducing unnecessary energy use. Secure remote access allows for diagnostics, updates, and ongoing support, significantly reducing the need for on-site intervention.
From an installation perspective, Casambi helped clearly define system boundaries, simplifying coordination between disciplines and reducing complexity for the electrical contractor. This streamlined approach supported a smooth commissioning process and delivered a robust, maintainable solution for the building owner.
Today, the Westpac Barometer and façade lighting are once again active contributors to Sydney’s skyline. Beyond its daily function, the system has become a flexible platform for special events and public engagement, with custom scenes regularly created for city-wide celebrations and awareness campaigns. By combining advanced lighting technology with Casambi’s simple, wireless control, the project demonstrates how iconic façade installations can be respectfully restored, technically enhanced, and future-proofed.
Share your work with us
If you have a Casambi project that you would like to publish at Casambi.com please click the button below and tell us a little bit more about the project. We’ll get back to you within two business days.