Eco-conscious lighting design made in Australia to benefit homeowners and the environment

As the world increasingly focuses on sustainable practices, consumers are becoming more aware of their environmental impact and are seeking sustainable alternatives for their everyday electrical choices. Home renovators can do their part by illuminating their spaces with eco-friendly lighting solutions, helping conserve energy resources, mitigate climate change, and minimise carbon emissions. 

Sustainable lighting design also plays a pivotal role in promoting healthier living spaces and offers substantial long-term savings through reduced energy consumption and lower maintenance expenses. 

Since its inception in 2014, Alt.Artefact (previously known as Artefact Industries) has transitioned from mainly commercial work to a boutique, ethical lighting design company that works alongside architects and interior designers for high-end, bespoke residential projects. 

The Melbourne-based supplier of decorative and architectural lighting products prides itself on delivering designs that captivate with their refined simplicity. Functionality is also key to their designs, as well as being environmentally responsible by using local manufacturing and small-batch production.

“All of our products are made locally, assembled with care and delivered out of our Melbourne workshop,” says Kate Steele, Founder and Director of Alt.Artefact.

Being environmentally responsible is a core focus of the Alt.Artefact business, which aims to create lighting that benefits people and the environment. All suppliers are local, allowing Alt.Artefact to source and trace materials that meet the high standards of producing ethical and sustainable products. Educating consumers about conscious choices to benefit people and the planet is at the core of its business principles, so it’s no surprise the lighting designer is often asked to be involved in Green Star-accredited projects. 

The list of processes and principles to achieve its environmental objectives includes:

• Locally made products
• Made-to-order production to reduce waste
• Close collaboration with the design industry to fulfil market demand 
• Utilising the most efficient and ecologically responsible lighting technology
• Re-use and recycling of packaging materials
• Responsible waste disposal
• Using a 100% carbon-neutral energy supplier
• Eco-cleaning services
• Active promotion of company policies to help educate about and improve conscious consumerism

Read more about sustainable lighting design projects

For inspiration on sustainable lighting design, explore the following Alt.Artefact residential projects.

Hütt 01 Passivhaus

The Hütt House, designed by Australia-based architects Marc and Felicity Bernstein of Melbourne Design Studios is an award-winning project with biophilia in mind. A Passivhaus, or passive house, is an ultra energy-efficient building standard designed to minimise air leakage and energy consumption through double-glazed windows, and wall and roof insulation to make the building envelope as air-tight as possible. 

Designed and made by Alt.Artefact, the T_Micro Track Light and Solid Pendant complement this exceptional passive house. The T_Micro track light is perfectly proportioned while doing double duty. Within one fixture, it functions as a downlight and spotlight at the same time. 

The Solid Pendant makes a beautiful timber statement piece combined with cutting-edge LED technology that allows task lighting as well as dimmed atmospheric lighting. 

Autumn House

The Autumn House presents a stunning extension to a Victorian terrace residence by Studio Bright. The T_Mini Surface light in brass adds a refined elegance to this warm and light-filled home. 

Deeply recessed LED luminaires eliminate any chance of high-angle glare. These sleek and space-saving light fittings are adaptable to many interior styles with a large choice of finishes and colours.

Kyneton House

The Kyneton House, by the architectural firm Edition Office, captivates with its geometrical forms. As the architects describe, the design process began with a single wall gesture, a brickwork element that formed a long cup or recess. This element weaves through the house, defining boundaries and individual spaces, with each recess providing a space for seating, a study, and the kitchen. 

A custom-made light fitting by Alt.Artefact takes centre stage in the main living area and kitchen. The linear galvanised steel beam suspended from the raked ceiling allows indirect and direct dimmable LED lighting.

Read more about the Kyneton House

The Ripple House

The Ripple House in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs tells the story of transformation from the old to the new. Abundant with daylight and timber features, and surrounded by greenery, the architecture and interiors of the home are skillfully layered and inspired by the notion of rippling water. Textured and varying ceilings define the rooms and zones of the house without the need for any internal walls, having the effect of creating an open and airy interior, despite the house’s busy inner-city locale.

Neat and compact, the T_Mini track light and the T_Mini pendant illuminate dedicated spaces or featured objects with maximum effect. 

Discover more about the Ripple House by FDM Architects

Explore more designer lighting from Alt.Artefact on ArchiPro.