Light guides: schools and learning environments
There are different types of lighting solutions suitable for different age groups and educational aspects. A well-planned learning environment increases the student’s potential to participate in the education and enables them to maintain their concentration during long work sessions.
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Marischal College, a historical building with a modern approach to efficiency and light control
Marischal College, the glorious granite landmark on Broad Street in Aberdeen, Scotland, has been the headquarters of Aberdeen City Council since 2011. The second-largest granite building in the world shares its space with the historic Town House and is a Category A listed structure, a testament to its national and international significance. Lighting such an iconic and historic structure presents unique challenges, requiring a balance between modern functionality and the preservation of its architectural integrity. Considerate planning is key to ensuring the building is both effectively illuminated and energy-efficient without altering its historic features. To learn more, Colin Sutherland, Northern Regional Manager at Fagerhult UK, who led the project, gave us some insights into the project scope and outcomes. Efficiency, longevity, and modernisation Due to ongoing issues on site with both the lighting and controls, the council looked into addressing this by replacing the lighting and the control system in the least obtrusive way possible, as this had to remain a live building throughout. Local consultants Atkins recommended Fagerhult for the job. After an in-depth interview process, including product demonstrations, Fagerhult was selected for its robust, user-friendly Organic Response system. The solution prioritised efficiency and incorporated emergency monitoring and heat mapping, ensuring optimal performance and minimal risk of human error. Overcoming challenges with precision The project wasn't without its obstacles. Marischal College's shared spaces, occupied by various departments and organisations, required a flexible system catering to diverse user needs. Similarly, the historical and architectural features of the building presented unique physical challenges: Granite-tiled Floors: When attempting to replace uplights, the team discovered that the bases were bonded directly to the granite. Removing them risked damaging the tiles, so they were left intact, and parts were retrofitted instead. Archway Preservation: A prominent archway, often used for wedding ceremonies, could not be altered. The team creatively adapted the existing fittings to meet modern efficiency standards without compromising the building's heritage. Despite these complexities, the project remained on schedule, showcasing Fagerhult's ability to innovate and adapt in the face of constraints. Energy efficiency and smart controls At the heart of the project was the transition to state-of-the-art LED lighting powered by Fagerhult's Organic Response control system. Key features included: Real-Time Monitoring: The system tracks faults, occupancy patterns, and energy usage across the building, allowing for responsive adjustments. Daylight Linking: Individual fittings automatically dim when natural light is sufficient, maintaining consistent light levels while reducing energy consumption. Emergency Testing Automation: The system runs function and duration tests, ensuring compliance and safety without manual intervention. Customisable Controls: With remote access, the council can adjust settings, such as dimming light levels, for optimal comfort and energy savings. The data collected from Organic Response allows for an open conversation between Fagerhult and the client and having insight into usage helps to educate the staff occupying the space which enables a smooth collaboration. This advanced technology has significantly improved both the efficiency and reliability of Marischal College's lighting, offering Aberdeen City Council a sustainable, cost-effective solution. A collaborative success The Fagerhult Group's involvement was instrumental in the project's success, with contributions from several of its lighting brands, including WE-EF, LTS, and ateljé Lyktan. The use of the popular pendants such as the striking Globia fitting in the reception area, enhanced the building's aesthetic appeal while meeting its technical requirements. A highlight of the installation was the one-up, one-down fitting design. Each fitting featured individual sensors and daylight linking, ensuring energy efficiency while maintaining optimal lighting conditions throughout the office spaces. A brighter future for historical buildings The Marischal College lighting project not only improved the functionality and sustainability of the building but also demonstrated Fagerhult ability to navigate complex challenges and deliver tailored solutions. With energy efficiency at the forefront, Aberdeen City Council now benefits from a modern, reliable, and cost-effective lighting system—a shining example of innovation meeting heritage.
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University of Warwick library adopts smart lighting
The University of Warwick, known for its forward-thinking approach to technology and sustainability, embarked on a project to overhaul the lighting system in its main library building. The library, a six-floor building with a four-storey extension, had been in operation since the 1960s and had undergone various updates and upgrades over the years. Despite these efforts, the lighting system remained inefficient according to modern standards due to increased demand and changes to the area’s usage over the years. As a result, the 24-hour operation building presented significant energy reduction opportunities, which would help to reduce energy costs and associated carbon. Focusing on these reductions would contribute towards meeting the University’s net zero goals, their ‘Reduce, Decarbonise, Smart’ ethos, and their ‘low energy, low maintenance’ principals. Highlighting an opportunity Having worked with the university over a number of years, the initiative began with a collaboration between the university's Estates Department and Fagerhult, represented by Simon Harvard-Ford, Senior Project Manager. Simon H-F Simon explains: “The university was exploring smart connectivity solutions as they wanted to create a more energy-efficient and technologically advanced campus. I introduced them to the Organic Response wireless lighting control system, a technology initially designed for open-plan offices but also ideal for educational environments due to its flexibility and innovative features. “The university was impressed not only by the significant energy (and therefore cost) savings, but also the real-time occupancy data analytics that the Organic Response system offers,” Simon continues, “The lighting sensors in the luminaires detect presence, providing data to inform decisions about space usage and optimisation. This feature was particularly appealing to the university as it aligned with their goal of creating a smart campus.” Paul Holland, Estates Engineer at Warwick University, worked closely with Simon on the project from the outset. Paul comments: “One of the main drivers was to try and save energy across the library, but there was also a need for occupancy profiling and wayfinding through the building. “Being a 1960’s building, the occupancy today is significantly different from what it was designed for initially. There are a lot of study areas now, and the building was originally designed for around fifty people per floor, but these days there could be approximately three hundred people per floor. “There was a good opportunity to link up with Fagerhult because they could provide the data analytics we needed for real-time occupancy profiles and energy usage.” Putting the solution into practice In 2019, Fagerhult proposed a solution for the refurbishment of the first and second floors of the library. The proposal was accepted by the university, and the system was installed in 2021. As with all projects, some challenges presented themselves during the installation, but our experienced team were on hand to keep everything running smoothly. “One of the significant challenges during the implementation was keeping the library functional throughout the refurbishment,” Simon comments, “the work was undertaken in phases, often halving floors to maintain accessibility for students. This required meticulous planning and coordination, particularly for the contractors involved, but we worked closely with Paul Holland, Estates Engineer at the university, who played a pivotal role in championing the project. Paul's forward-thinking approach and willingness to embrace new technologies were crucial in driving the project's success.” Paul added: “An additional benefit of the lighting system was how easy it was to commission and set up. From our point of view, we didn’t have any issues. Simon has been brilliant throughout. It’s been a long-term collaboration, and he has been on the journey with us, helping us to deliver the continued development of the system in order to give the University what it needs.” Energy and cost-saving benefits Once in place, this pilot phase allowed the university to gather three years of data, demonstrating the system's efficacy. “The results of the pilot were impressive,” explains Simon, “The university reported savings in the region of half a million kilowatt-hours of electricity over three years, equating to approximately £150,000 annually for just two floors. With plans to extend the system to the entire building and two storeys of the extension building, the projected energy savings are set to increase significantly.” Additionally, the system's ability to provide real-time occupancy data will be invaluable. The university can now monitor which spaces are in use, when, and how often. This data enables them to make informed decisions about space management, optimising the use of their facilities. A future development is for the system's occupancy monitoring feature to have a user interface which displays a simple traffic light system (green for quiet, red for busy, amber for moderate) highlighted on monitors at the library entrance, with the aim of helping students find available spaces quickly. Paul explains more about the future benefits the system can bring to the campus: “The next steps are to integrate the occupancy profiling data gathered from the lighting system onto a graphic at the entrance of the building, so that when students enter the building, they can see how populated a particular area is and make an informed decision on where they go to study.” Following the success of the pilot phase, the university is now implementing the system across the remaining floors of the main library building and the two-storeys of the extension. The project is expected to be completed by November 2024, resulting in a fully connected smart library lighting system. The University of Warwick's implementation of the Organic Response lighting system in its library is a testament to the benefits of smart technology in creating energy-efficient and user-friendly environments. The project not only resulted in substantial energy savings but also laid the groundwork for future innovations in smart campus development, serving as an inspiring example for other educational institutions looking to innovate and improve their facilities. Paul concludes: “We had a collaboration day at the University of Warwick with other universities involved. We took them around the library to showcase the installations and received positive feedback. I believe the Organic Response wireless lighting control system could be readily applied across many other higher education settings."
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