Lumination Learning Lab opens at the University of Adelaide Thebarton campus

It started five years ago as a one-man band operating out of a garage in Semaphore. Now Adelaide company Lumination employs more than 120 people. Here’s why business is booming.

Business is booming for Adelaide EdTech company Lumination, which has grown in five years from a one-man garage band in Semaphore to a 120-strong team in Thebarton.

The multi-level building on the University of Adelaide Thebarton campus contains a 300 sqm custom-built Learning Lab that caters for school or industry group experiences.

Five virtual reality learning stations are connected to high powered VR computers and projectors to enable collaboration with fellow students or workers.

South Australia’s largest indoor LED screen stretches 15m along one side of the lab, with access to mobile virtual reality units, robots and drones.

More than 2000 school students have visited the first learning lab in Kent Town since it was established in 2019, with 12 staff. The new lab is five times the size.

Immersive and interactive experiences proved so popular with schools that the Education Department wanted its own learning labs, which are going into nine schools so far.

Lumination Learning Lab in action at Thebarton. Picture: Lumination

Then industry started knocking on the door, chief commercial officer Thomas Hastwell said.

“Our foundations are in education but industry interest ramped up exponentially and started to become so loud it was hard to ignore,” he said.

Between 2019 and 2021 Lumination experienced “exponential growth” and has begun working with defence contractor BAE Systems in the Tonsley Innovation District’s Factory of the Future and mining company OzMinerals.

A new office will open in Sydney next June, housing a further 90 to 100 workers and there are plans for offices in the US at Dallas, New York and Los Angeles.

Lumination founder and chief executive officer Edward Carlson. Picture: Supplied.

Founder and chief executive Edward Carlson set out in 2017 to disrupt the conventional classroom, after returning home to Adelaide from Google in Sydney.

His business, originally called Technology for Education Solutions, quickly moved from his garage in Semaphore to a warehouse in Port Adelaide with three staff, then to an office in Kent Town with 12. Now with a team 10-fold larger, he’s arrived in Thebarton.

“We’re a proudly owned and operated Adelaide-based company that is supporting Adelaide and South Australia to be recognised on the world stage as a hub for innovation and collaboration; supporting local jobs and economic growth,” he said.

Plympton Primary students Eliza Teoh and Kazys Stephens with VR Headsets enjoying immersive technology at the Lumination Learning Lab, Thebarton. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Education Department chief information officer Scott Bayliss said he was “extremely proud” to introduce immersive technology to SA students.

“That allows students to develop skills they need to thrive, now and into the future; from critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, communication, collaboration and technical skills,” he said.

“This is part of our digital transformation strategy that will shape the way education is delivered in South Australian schools as part of our world class education system.”

Plympton Primary School student Kazys Stephens, 9, enjoyed his first taste of the learning lab this week.

“The space is amazing,” he said. “I want to come back for a full day and play with the virtual reality headset again.”

Take a 360 virtual tour inside the Lumination Learning Lab.