Month: March 2024

DesignPlusLight are delighted to unveil their latest commercial project: One Paddington Square. This iconic ‘glass cube’ building, designed by Renzo Piano, resides above Paddington’s rail network and forms part of the new Crossrail entrance.

Comprising 17 floors of mixed-use commercial and retail space: DesignPlusLight worked with leading architects TP Bennett to design the upper 9 floors of the building.

The brief was to create food and beverage and break out leisure spaces on each floor that seamlessly blended with dealer floors, open plan offices and glass partitioned meeting rooms – all with a panoramic view of London’s cityscape. TP Bennett designed a bespoke staircase that spanned the internal spaces for their client which culminated at the 16th floor hospitality level which included reception, conference meeting rooms, concierge, entertainment bar and a 150 seated auditorium with state-of-the-art video conferencing facility. All with an exceptional 360-degree view over the London city basin.

The steel and glass construction of the building provided significant challenges to the lighting design. During the day the building is flooded with natural light. Automatic BMS systems control the impact of daylight into each floor. Daylight and PIR sensors integrated into the lighting controls enable the management of the artificial lighting during the day to ensure minimal use of energy.

“The challenge with extensive glazing is whilst it affords a spectacular vista during the day, as night falls the glass can become a reflecting mirror of the interior”, says Principal and Founder Sanjit Bahra. “To overcome this, we layered lighting effects to highlight the internal form and structure of each space so that the internal view became the interesting night time scene”.

The 16th floor located the entertainment and VC suites – comprising reception and concierge, a 150 seated video conferencing auditorium (with the latest camera technology) and a champagne bar area. Tuneable white LED sources were designed on this floor to ensure the lighting married with the changing colour temperature of the outside space and daylight.

Specific colour temperatures were selected for the auditorium to ensure the best presentation across all visual material (often to international clients). The ceiling height was restricted to 2.6m in the auditorium. A layered ceiling helped to create the impression of height which followed the raked seating arrangement. Linear lighting was seamlessly detailed into the panelled ceiling to further enhance the dimensions of the space and also provide forward facial light to the stage.

DesignPlusLight designed a bespoke metallic chandelier to span the bar and hospitality area. The aesthetic was driven by the material of the building and the corporate identity of the client. It had to feel robust, create a strong impression and also work with the ceiling height and span of the space. We took inspiration from the views afforded from this height and collaborated with Stoane Lighting to produce suspended rods with lit elements. The undulating arrangement gave the impression of floating clouds and the gentle movement of light evoked a murmuration of birds. This also helped lead guests into the space whilst still admiring the magnificent views across London.

The 50 x 50 metre square footprint lends itself to a very regimented office floor plan arrangement. Curved lines of light help break up the rectilinear space and guides one’s eye across the workspace to the more relaxed break out seating and eateries. Suspended acoustic lined panels add a further layer of softness and texture and provide a visual anchor to the more informal areas.

TP Bennett designed an internal staircase that allowed personnel to move between all 9 floors without having to use the central core lifts. This became a feature in its own right, comprising of two sections made of steel, travertine and glass. DesignPlusLight continued the indirect lighting approach to enhance the curved balustrade and soffit details – giving the staircase a sculptural quality.

Lighting mock ups and site trials were required to ensure that the lighting were beautifully detailed within the fabric of the staircase so that the light sources could not be seen. The lighting and material all blended seamlessly into one beautiful construction.

The central core was used to house more private meeting rooms, yoga studio, library and places for respite. The interior design finishes and indirect lighting further enhanced the feeling of quiet contemplation – in contrast to an active office space outside.

Designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification and BREEAM Outstanding rating – DesignPlusLight have set the tone for the future of sustainable and elegant lighting within the commercial and hospitality sectors.

Extending its popular collection of low-glare downlights, Ansell Lighting has unveiled the latest addition to its aptly named Comfort range

The first surface mountable luminaire in the collection, the Comfort EVO Surface is an economic high-performance light that delivers extensive glare control for the visual ease of building occupants.

Available in both black and white finishes, the innovative downlight is designed for use in both commercial and healthcare environments. IP44 rated, it is robust and durable, featuring polycarbonate housing and unique thermal management technology for an optimum lifespan.

The Comfort EVO Surface also offers users a range of functional options including a choice of two power outputs and is CCT selectable between 3000K and 4000K. OCTO, dimmable, standard emergency and self-test emergency options are also available. A five-year warranty is offered on all Comfort EVO Surface models.

Mark Abbott, Managing Director at Ansell Lighting said: “The Comfort EVO Surface, is a great addition to our renowned Comfort range. It offers users all of the performance and functionality they’d expect from our Comfort recessed downlights but in a surface mounted form, catering to a more diverse range of applications.”

CU Phosco Lighting has unveiled a groundbreaking new product, Connected Urban, which they believe will become the next evolution in smart city infrastructure.

In response to the increasing demand for densification of 4G networks and to support the continued rollout of 5G, Connected Urban has been designed to enhance connectivity on our streets, delivering both macro and small cells within a single compact footprint.

Designed to accommodate multi-faceted services, including antennas, CCTV, public address systems, and even smart lighting, Connected Urban, is a range of sleek, modular, and scalable smart poles which go beyond just meeting the connectivity needs of modern cities.

Key features of Connected Urban:

Street level telecommunications infrastructure: Connected Urban provides street-level communications infrastructure in one small footprint, providing reliable connectivity to a wide range of applications, including stadiums, rail, remote areas, such as parks and cities. Offering an alternative to traditional rooftop or tower locations.

Increased capacity and densification: With the capacity for macro and small cells within a single pole, Connected Urban enhances network capacity and densification for improved connectivity.

Modular and scalable design: The smart poles are designed to accommodate a full smart city solution, from lights to antennas to CCTV and public address systems, all in one compact footprint. This flexibility ensures a seamless integration into diverse urban environments.

Revenue opportunities: Connected Urban provides local authorities and private asset owners with a platform to deploy their smart city infrastructure and, crucially, an opportunity to initiate dialogues about revenue possibilities. Achieved through rental arrangements with mobile network operators in sought-after street-level locations.

Aesthetically designed: The poles are aesthetically designed to be sympathetic to the local environment, ensuring a visually appealing integration into city landscapes.

Thermally resilient: Offering great airflow supply and solar protection, Connected Urban is thermally resilient to ambient temperatures, ensuring optimal performance in challenging conditions.

Connected Urban is poised to address the challenges faced by modern cities and densely populated areas struggling with soaring population densities. As a direct replacement for existing street lighting infrastructure, or as a new installation, Connected Urban is a future-proof commercial solution that bridges the connectivity gap.

“Connected Urban is not just a smart pole; it’s a transformative solution for smart cities. We envision a future where connectivity is seamless, reliable, and caters to the diverse needs of urban environments,” said Keith Henry, Product Manager – Connected Urban and GM – CU Phosco Australia “For cities, councils, and private asset owners looking to enhance connectivity, increase capacity, and contribute to the evolution of smart cities, Connected Urban is the solution of choice”.

– Whitecroft’s innovative solution uses existing infrastructure to cut waste

–  Relight system reduces carbon and energy bills 

Commercial lighting manufacturer and supplier, Whitecroft Lighting, has completed a major project to install innovative LED lighting systems in almost 80 stores across the UK for electrical retailer Currys, including branches in Manchester, Birmingham and Dundee

But rather than completely replacing the outdated lights, Whitecroft used its pioneering Relight system to reuse as much of each store’s existing lighting infrastructure as possible.

This reduces the huge amounts of waste normally generated by major electrical refits, an important requirement for Currys as part of its 2040 Roadmap to Net-Zero strategy, which sets out how the company is reducing the carbon it produces.

Whitecroft’s Relight low-energy LED lights have been installed in customer showrooms, office areas and even car parks, enabling Currys to reduce its energy consumption, helping to further cut its carbon emissions and shrink its electricity bills.

Tom Gardener, Senior Facilities Manager for Currys, explains the rationale for the project: “Due to the sharp rise in energy costs in recent years, our business cases for lighting energy efficiency were flying through, particularly as the quickening returns on investment were suddenly very attractive.

“Change was also driven by forthcoming legislation banning certain fluorescent lighting which sharpened our focus on how we can remove and replace some types of lighting from our estate.

“Working with Whitecroft Lighting and learning about its approach to circularity – reusing and recycling materials – has been a very positive experience. We were impressed with the short and longer-term material and labour cost benefits of Relight, but we didn’t fully appreciate the carbon saving value until we worked on the product.

“Our new lighting not only improved our energy efficiency but also our approach to circularity and reusing existing infrastructure. This helped to increase energy efficiency and reduce wasted carbon.”

In total 77 Currys stores, mostly bigger out-of-town branches, were refitted across the UK by Whitecroft in a project that took just six months to complete.

Richard Williams, Commercial Manager at Whitecroft Lighting, says the retailer’s approach to sustainability made Relight the perfect solution for the project. He says: “Currys had a clear approach to embedding circularity in its retail operation and was already a big recycler of consumer electrical goods. However, we saw an opportunity to extend this ethos beyond retail to its lighting by reducing waste in its facilities management.

latest LEDs would reduce operational carbon by around 40% through increasing energy efficiency, the circular approach to reusing materials, such as ceiling suspension materials and cabling, would also lower the embodied carbon, which are the emissions generated from the sourcing, manufacturing, installation and eventual disposal of products and materials.”

This approach to creating a more sustainable approach by reusing and recycling material, often referred to as the Circular Economy, is being embraced more and more by businesses, builders and suppliers as the UK aims to meet stretching Net-Zero targets.

In fact, the success of the Whitecroft Lighting project has helped shape Currys view of circularity. Tom Gardener continues: “Whitecroft’s Relight approach to circularity has certainly influenced facilities management at Currys, and we now expect suppliers to be clearer on type 1 and 2 emissions, and our larger T1 suppliers must report data on their own waste and travel.

“Our facilities managers now increasingly factor sustainability into supplier questioning, as well as the overall performance review of all our suppliers for a project: do they fit with our direction of travel as a business, do they buy into it, or are they just paying lip-service to it?”

Tailored specifically for healthcare projects, Hope Asymmetric Linear is a brand-new luminaire from Ansell Lighting.

Designed for patient well-being, it features an angled polycarbonate diffuser which delivers precise asymmetric light distribution down and outwards. This feature allows it to be mounted at the side of the ceiling space, preventing overhead glare and safeguarding patients during transportation by hospital trolleys.

Power selectable, it offers users a great deal of flexibility with a choice of two different outputs suiting varying healthcare settings. It also boasts an impressive efficacy of up to 120 lumens per watt, ensuring optimal illumination with minimal energy consumption.

CCT selectable between 3000K, 4000K and 5000K, the asymmetric luminaire allows for colour temperature to be tailored to the specific requirements of the space. For example, a welcoming ambiance can be created in corridors and waiting rooms by setting CCT to 3000K whilst in clinical spaces such a treatment rooms, cooler tones of 4000K or 5000K can be employed to promote a focussed environment. It also boasts an IP40 rating, ensuring protection against dust and offering durability for long-term use.

Simple to install, the asymmetric linear is a lay-in ceiling fixture and so can be easily mounted into drop or suspended ceilings. It also supports plasterboard installation with the purchase of separate installation clip accessories.

A comprehensive solution for healthcare lighting, the luminaire is also OCTO compatible for seamless integration with smart lighting systems.  A five-year warranty is also provided with all models offering complete peace of mind for users.

Mark Abbott, Managing Director at Ansell Lighting said: “This new Asymmetric Linear is a testament to our commitment to precision, efficiency, and excellence in healthcare lighting. It is an ideal solution for healthcare projects thanks to the flexibility, energy efficiency and precise asymmetric light distribution it delivers.”

Cosmicnode is exhibiting at this year’s Light + Building exhibition in Frankfurt on 3-8 March, joining hundreds of peers, partners and friends in the lighting industry to exchange knowledge, foster connections, and delve into the future of wireless lighting controls.

The Cosmicnode team will be positioned in hall 8, stand E19, where they will showcase the Infinity cloud-based LMS platform, featuring cutting-edge wireless lighting controls.

The Infinity Platform provides a broad spectrum of wireless lighting control products and solutions, offering end-users the flexibility to select products from various lighting and sensor manufacturers. These solutions aid businesses in optimizing lighting and building management, reducing costs, and achieving ambitious sustainability goals.

At the exhibition, a key highlight will be Cosmicnode’s latest innovation: the cutting-edge Wireless Emergency Lighting Testing solution. Launched earlier this year, this platform offers customers a range of tangible benefits, including enhanced flexibility, automated testing, and detailed insights into precise locations through its floorplan visualizer.

As well as holding drop-ins for visitors who wish to learn more about Cosmicnode’s Infinity LMS Platform, and emergency lighting testing platform, customers can also book a one-to-one demo to see the products in action.

Sharan Avati from Cosmicnode, said: “We are thrilled to be exhibiting at one of the biggest and most exciting events in the lighting industry. Come and experience how our Infinity platform transforms buildings into intelligent spaces, seamlessly managing lighting, air quality, asset tracking, and system integration. This is the future of intelligent buildings. We, at Cosmicnode, are leading the way with wireless mesh networks that unlock unparalleled data and real-time insights, empowering our customers to achieve their sustainability goals. We look forward to welcoming guests to our stand across the week.”

CU Phosco Lighting has unveiled a groundbreaking new product, Connected Urban, which they believe will become the next evolution in smart city infrastructure.

In response to the increasing demand for densification of 4G networks and to support the continued rollout of 5G, Connected Urban has been designed to enhance connectivity on our streets, delivering both macro and small cells within a single compact footprint.

Designed to accommodate multi-faceted services, including antennas, CCTV, public address systems, and even smart lighting, Connected Urban, is a range of sleek, modular, and scalable smart poles which go beyond just meeting the connectivity needs of modern cities.

Key features of Connected Urban:

Street level telecommunications infrastructure: Connected Urban provides street-level communications infrastructure in one small footprint, providing reliable connectivity to a wide range of applications, including stadiums, rail, remote areas, such as parks and cities. Offering an alternative to traditional rooftop or tower locations.

Increased capacity and densification: With the capacity for macro and small cells within a single pole, Connected Urban enhances network capacity and densification for improved connectivity.

Modular and scalable design: The smart poles are designed to accommodate a full smart city solution, from lights to antennas to CCTV and public address systems, all in one compact footprint. This flexibility ensures a seamless integration into diverse urban environments.

Revenue opportunities: Connected Urban provides local authorities and private asset owners with a platform to deploy their smart city infrastructure and, crucially, an opportunity to initiate dialogues about revenue possibilities. Achieved through rental arrangements with mobile network operators in sought-after street-level locations.

Aesthetically designed: The poles are aesthetically designed to be sympathetic to the local environment, ensuring a visually appealing integration into city landscapes.

Thermally resilient: Offering great airflow supply and solar protection, Connected Urban is thermally resilient to ambient temperatures, ensuring optimal performance in challenging conditions.

Connected Urban is poised to address the challenges faced by modern cities and densely populated areas struggling with soaring population densities. As a direct replacement for existing street lighting infrastructure, or as a new installation, Connected Urban is a future-proof commercial solution that bridges the connectivity gap.

“Connected Urban is not just a smart pole; it’s a transformative solution for smart cities. We envision a future where connectivity is seamless, reliable, and caters to the diverse needs of urban environments,” said Keith Henry, Product Manager – Connected Urban and GM – CU Phosco Australia “For cities, councils, and private asset owners looking to enhance connectivity, increase capacity, and contribute to the evolution of smart cities, Connected Urban is the solution of choice”.

Selencky Parsons Architects recently unveiled their latest project, Bexhill Road, showcasing remarkable design concepts alongside impactful lighting solutions from Industville.

Join us as we ask some questions to Sam Selencky, Director, Selencky Parsons Architects and Mara Rypacek Miller Managing Director, Industville Ltd.

Q: Can you tell us more about the Bexhill Road project?

A: Bexhill Road is an interesting architectural design, with its focal point being the captivating coral pod – a transformation of a derelict space into a striking architectural marvel. This pod not only defines spaces, but also introduces a playful coral hue, showcasing how ambitious design can seamlessly marry practicality to create spaces that captivate and function seamlessly.

Q: The coral pod is interesting, why did you design that part specifically?

A: Our design philosophy emphasizes introducing subtle surprises within a space. The coral pod, with its vibrant aesthetics, became the visual anchor, adding a burst of colour without overshadowing the core design. It’s a celebration of the unexpected within the carefully curated space of Bexhill Road.

Q: Were there any successes/challenges?

A: Success in design often navigates a rocky road. In the case of Bexhill Road, initial setbacks, such as the contractor folding midway, presented challenges. However, creative problem-solving, including adapting materials like Forcrete for the pod, underscored our dedication to delivering innovative solutions in the face of adversity.

Q: For this project, obviously the lighting stands out quite a bit. What was your process into choosing that fitting?

A: The search for a lighting feature that seamlessly complements the double-height dining space without overshadowing the design cube led us to Industville lights. Their industrial aesthetic struck the perfect balance between subtlety and richness, providing a multi-layered lighting feature that enhances the ambiance without detracting from the overall design.

Q: Is lighting something that you consider quite a lot for all your projects, or some more than others?

A: Lighting holds a pivotal role in all our projects. It contributes to texture, highlights key features, and creates focal points. It is an integral element in our design palette, influencing the atmosphere and functionality of each space.

Q: How do you work sustainability into your designs/projects?

A: Sustainability is woven into the fabric of our designs, varying based on project specifics and client preferences. Fundamental aspects such as insulation, triple glazing, and the incorporation of air source heat pumps exemplify our commitment to environmentally conscious design choices.

Q: Does the budget have a significant impact on the design style and how big or small you can go?

A: Budget constraints present challenges, but transparency and realistic cost estimates guide our design process. We believe good design transcends expense, often requiring creative solutions to maximise the potential of a project without compromising its integrity.

1. What are your top three tips for achieving the perfect lighting design. 
2. Consider Functionality: First and foremost, lighting should serve its purpose. Whether it’s task lighting for a study area, mood lighting for a living room, or accent lighting to highlight artwork, always consider the function of each space and plan your lighting accordingly.
3. Layer Your Lighting: Do not rely on a single light source for any room. Combine ambient, task, and accent lighting to create a balanced, flexible lighting scheme.  Layering different types of lighting adds depth and character to your space, allowing you to alter the ambience depending on the time of day, mood, or activity.
4. Experiment with Control: Take advantage of dimmers, smart light bulbs, and lighting apps to gain greater control over your lighting. This allows you to adjust brightness levels, colour temperatures, and even colours, helping create the perfect atmosphere for any situation. Experimentation is key when it comes to achieving the perfect lighting design.