SSILO Lighthouse Optic
Coffs Harbour, NSW
The South Solitary Island Lighthouse Optic (SSILO) has been a guiding light for the Coffs Harbour community since 1879. After decades of service and subsequent preservation in a local museum, this historic maritime beacon has found a new home with a view of the sea it once watched over, protected by Viridian's specialised glazing solutions.
The relocation of the SSILO to the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore as part of the T.S Vendetta community building project presented a unique challenge. This irreplaceable artifact, manufactured by the renowned Chance Brothers of Birmingham (who also created the glass face of Big Ben), required protection whilst maintaining visibility for public display. As one of only four such optics supplied to Australia and the only complete First Order eight-panel lens remaining, ensuring its preservation was paramount.
NSW Public Works and architectural firm King & Campbell Pty Ltd approached Viridian for this specialised glazing requirement. Viridian’s Technical Team conducted an extensive risk assessment of the location and developed a custom AssaultGuard™ Ultra glass specification for this unique application.
The solution comprised of nine custom AssaultGuard™ Ultra panels, carefully designed to provide maximum protection while ensuring optimal visibility of the historic optic. The panels were integrated into a precisely fabricated aluminium framing system, with Hi-Glaze Contractors handling the installation.
The SSILO display has become a striking feature of the Coffs Harbour Jetty Foreshore, reconnecting this historic artifact with its maritime heritage. The custom glazing solution ensures that this priceless piece of Australian maritime history is protected while remaining fully visible to the public.
The installation represents a perfect marriage of heritage preservation and modern protection technology. The lighthouse optic, which once guided ships safely along the New South Wales coast, now serves as a cultural beacon of maritime history and will continue to captivate visitors and tell its story for generations to come, safely preserved behind Viridian’s AssaultGuard™ Ultra glass.
