Month: February 2025

Established in 1971, Harlow Playhouse has since been a cornerstone of the cultural landscape in Harlow, Essex. The venue hosts an array of performances across two theatres: a 400-seat main auditorium and a 120-seat studio theatre. Showcasing a variety of events, from music and comedy to musicals and drama, Harlow Playhouse plays a pivotal role in the local arts scene.

Following the success of two capital funding bids, the venue was first able to enhance its audio system, a project successfully managed by sister company d&b solutions. To further its commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency, Harlow Playhouse secured a second capital bid to upgrade its lighting system. The venue approached White Light (WL), a d&b solutions company, to oversee this major investment.

Operations Manager Emily Parsley spearheaded the lighting overhaul. She explains, “As part of Harlow Council’s initiative to enhance energy efficiency, we were very happy to receive funding to upgrade our lighting rig, reducing both our energy consumption and operating costs. Our aim was to replace outdated traditional lighting, including high-wattage tungsten fixtures and discharge lamp moving lights, which consumed around 1500 watts per unit. Transitioning to LED fixtures not only cuts down energy usage and expenses but also increases flexibility. The old tungsten fixtures also generated significant heat and incurred high maintenance costs.”

Emily and her team had specific lighting solutions in mind but were also keen to explore alternative options in collaboration with WL’s Senior Business Development Manager, Jonathan Haynes. They ultimately incorporated a range of ETC fixtures including Halcyon Titanium, Source Four, ColorSource Spot V and ColorSource Fresnel V, as well as GLP Impression X4 Bar 20 Battens, and Martin MAC Aura XB. Emily notes, “The new rig offers us greater versatility. Previously, we relied on a standard four-color wash with LED backlights and a few moving lights. Now, with all colour-changing units, we’ve expanded our creative possibilities. Where we once needed three different units, we can now achieve the same effect with just one. This upgrade also impacts our infrastructure, allowing us to handle more data through our lighting desks. As part of this transition, we invested in the ETC Eos Apex 10 console, which has been fantastic—far surpassing our previous system in functionality.”

Recognising the significance of this investment, Jonathan Haynes facilitated multiple product demonstrations to help Emily and her technical team assess the best solutions. She recalls, “The WL Sales team was incredibly supportive and always available. They provided comprehensive demonstrations to ensure we made the right choice. Their expertise and responsiveness were invaluable throughout the decision-making process.”

This project highlights WL’s long-standing collaboration with Harlow Playhouse. Jonathan Haynes comments, “WL has worked with Harlow Playhouse on numerous occasions, and I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Emily for many years. It was fantastic to support them in selecting the right fixtures and to continue building our strong partnership.”

Beyond improving efficiency and sustainability, the lighting upgrade also had a positive impact on the wider arts community. Emily adds, “Upgrading our rig allowed us to donate some of our older fixtures to local performing arts groups, including a circus company and an amateur theatre. As we continue upgrading equipment in our second space, we anticipate further opportunities to pass on useful resources to other local organisations.”

These latest investments have cemented Harlow Playhouse’s status as a premier regional venue, attracting larger audiences and enhancing the quality of its productions—especially its annual pantomime. The new lighting rig made its debut in the theatre’s co-production of Dick Whittington, earning outstanding reviews from audiences.

Emily concludes, “We are absolutely thrilled with our new rig, as are all the visiting productions that use it. We’re immensely grateful to WL for their guidance and for providing exactly the fixtures we needed.”

Thorn’s popular Oxane lantern has been updated, combining the latest technology
standards with a classic aesthetic.

Oxane has long been a popular choice for illuminating roads and streets. With its
sleek, elliptical styling, it fits seamlessly into modern cities, major highways, and
more traditional towns and villages alike. The new generation of Oxane enhances its
classic aesthetic while incorporating the benefits of upgraded LED technology, ease
of maintenance and Zhaga connectivity.

The original Oxane designer, Sweden-based Zachau Design AB, has returned to
update this classic design, adding some modern flair. Its streamlined, elliptical
concept offers a new interpretation of a luminaire design that has stood the test of
time.

Hans Philip Zachau MSc. of Zachau Design commented: “Identity, functionality, and
vitality were the guiding principles in creating this luminaire. The first generation of
Oxane made a statement with its originality and distinctiveness. The new generation
will honour these values, not only by reflecting on its origins, but also by looking into
the future. The new design is even more dynamic and slim, with crisp feature lines
that accentuate the oval theme.”

Oxane’s design is about more than just aesthetics. Circularity was a core principle in
the design of this luminaire – starting with the packaging, which is entirely plastic-
free. Oxane’s 100% recycled aluminium body uses a highly corrosion resistant alloy
and all components can be replaced or changed, using a clever and robust tool-free
opening system, for simple maintenance and upgrade. No glue is used throughout
the manufacturing process, making it easy to manage end of life as well.

Oxane is equipped with high performance LEDs able to still provide up to 98% of
their initial output after 100 000 hours of operation, making it an ideal long-term
partner to light your way. A wide range of optics are available for highly efficient and
comfortable light, exactly where it is needed, whether lighting a residential street, a
busy road, a cycle path, or a pedestrian area. With optional Zhaga connectivity,
Oxane can be combined with Thorn’s UrbaSens control platform, for an even more
tailored lighting solution.

Light pollution and obtrusive light is a global concern, but Oxane responsibly leads
the way with < 1% Upward Light Output Ratio, optional internal louvres, a number of
CCT options and NightTune compatibility. Thorn’s innovative NightTune technology
automatically adjusts lumen output and colour temperature throughout the hours of
darkness, balancing human needs whilst minimising ecological impact.

Two of Covent Garden’s most illustrious landmarks have undergone meticulous restoration to uphold their long-standing legacy and much-loved traditional features. Leading both projects was international design practice, BDP which enlisted the help of experts in heritage lighting, William Sugg & Co. to refurbish, restore and replicate a collection of historical lighting throughout Covert Garden Market and at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Taking place over several years, the restoration project will help to preserve the heritage of some of the capital’s most cherished locations for centuries to come.

Covent Garden Piazza

The world renowned, Covent Garden Market is located in the heart of the West End, and dates back to the early 17th Century. Today it is home to a unique array of luxurious fashion and beauty retailers, award-winning restaurants and theatres, visited annually by over 44 million people.

To ensure the iconic market retains its prestigious status and continues to stand the test of the time, owners, real estate investment trust, Shaftesbury Capital, embarked on a reinvention refurbishment to replace the external lighting scheme, to enhance the visitor experience, prolong visits and encourage returning trips.

Experts in decorative heritage gas and electric exterior lighting for over 175 years, William Sugg & Co. were entrusted by project lead, BDP to update the external heritage lighting lining the market’s façade, incorporating new technology and more contemporary techniques.

William Sugg & Co.’s team of skilled artisans restored a total of 52 copper lanterns illuminating the walkways around the perimeter colonnade, and two of the large lanterns denoting the entrance archways to the internal squares. Throughout the restoration process, the recognized walkway lanterns were originally thought to be black, but once cleaned were revealed to be made of gleaming copper.

After extensive cleaning, the two larger lanterns in the main archways were revealed to be made partly of wood, an unexpected design detail, giving a variation of texture to the lantern.

The team of experts also replicated eight of the copper lanterns for replacements, as well as hand casting a total of 9 new brackets from the existing ones in place.

The original lighting was also upgraded with retrofitted Braun Mock Mantles. The new LED replicas of the traditional gas mantles will provide a more sustainable alternative, resulting in more energy efficient, cost-effective lanterns with the need for less maintenance.

To bring the grade II* listed historic market hall into the 21st Century, the general lighting was adjusted by increasing the number of lanterns but reducing the power consumption and source brightness of each individual fitting. The addition of modern optics with a warm colour temperature was added to create a uniform palette of evenly distributed lighting throughout, as well as preserving the market’s historical character and charm of a predominantly gas-lit conservation area.

“The work our craftsman carried out for this project was a testament to the prestigious historical landmark in itself. Over the course of 5 months, the team successfully restored, replaced and replicated the iconic Covent Garden lanterns so they can continue to be enjoyed by visitors. The addition of more lanterns and the advancement in technology used has enabled us to achieve a wonderful result, enhancing the iconic features and presence of this beloved landmark.” explains Lucy Bubb, Managing Director of William Sugg & Co.

The extensive refurbishment has also helped improve night-time safety and security, as well as aligning with the client’s goal to lower energy consumption and minimise waste by successfully repurposing and restoring the original hanging lanterns.

Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Situated on the oldest theatre site in London still in use today and nestled in the capital’s West End, the Theatre Royal is a Grade I listed building in Covent Garden. Originally opening in 1812, the current theatre has one of the largest auditoriums in London’s West End and has played host to some of the city’s iconic musicals including, Miss Saigon, My Fair Lady and Oliver!

At over 200 years old, the theatre required some extensive restoration, to restore it to its original splendour and conserve its heritage, but re-imagined for the 21st Century. Under the ownership of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, LW Theatres embarked on a multimillion-pound major refurbishment, including a complete overhaul of the internal and external lighting.

Project lead, Haworth Tompkins and lighting designers, BDP entrusted the intricate and elaborate lighting refurbishment to William Sugg & Co. whose team of heritage specialists took a meticulous approach to ensure the preservation of the authenticity of the fittings. The team’s restoration journey begun by collaborating with historians to identify the most appropriate methods, which led them to Heaton Hall, a Grade I listed 18th-century country house in Manchester, where they conducted detailed 3D scans on-site to capture every intricate detail of the original fixtures – similar to those found at the Theatre Royal. The scans were then used to produce precise engineered drawings and casting patterns, ensuring an exact reproduction of the historic designs.

The result was an exquisitely detailed replication of the original torches featured in the lobby and staircase of the theatre, brought to life through traditional casting processes and resin patterns, created with innovative 3D scanning technology. Using the appropriate identified methods of bespoke design, heritage lighting techniques, handcrafting and 3D modelling, the William Sugg & Co. team also accurately produced gas flambeaux technicalities for the Victorian style torchieres located in the rotunda, balustrades, and ground floor, as well as the refurbishment of the exterior lights located on two entrances and specialist manufacture of bespoke fluted glass shades for the triple lamp light source design.

William Sugg & Co. provided a complete internal and external lighting technology upgrade, to replace the pre-existing metal halide to LED. To complete the newly refurbished theatre in all its glory, the team of expert craftsmen installed six new 3.2 metre gas flambeaus, taking centre stage on the external champagne terrace and adjacent balconies.

Preserving the historical grandeur of theatre was a considerable task, to ensure that any restoration or modernisation work must be carried out carefully and sensitively, which the team sought to do so with the close involvement of architectural heritage specialists and Historic England.

“This prestigious project was testament to our small team of crafts men and women who delivered above and beyond the client’s expectation. In addition to the production of intricate authentic fittings, the team also completed safe and efficient gas lighting engineering and installation, whilst ensuring minimal disruption during the refurbishment process.” comments Lucy Bubb, Managing Director of William Sugg & Co.

Through their expertise and meticulous research, the William Sugg & Co. heritage lighting specialists assisted in bringing the landmark theatre back to its original splendour with authentic lighting and the latest in lighting technology advancements, paying homage to its rich heritage and timeless architecture.

“We chose William Sugg & Co. to expertly assist us on both projects due to the company’s legacy in heritage lighting and expansive knowledge. Their team of skilled artisans worked to exceptionally high standards for these very specific heritage lighting projects. The team not only executed both briefs outstandingly, but went above and beyond to ensure every element, research, and expert advice was taken into consideration. We look forward to continuing our long-standing working partnership with them in the future.” concludes Jono Redden, Senior Lighting Designer at BDP.

As sustainability continues to shape the construction and lighting industries, it is crucial for electrical contractors to understand key environmental assessment methodologies. Two important technical memorandums – TM65 and TM66, play a significant role in evaluating the environmental impact of lighting products. However, they serve distinct purposes.

What are the differences between TM65 and TM66, their relevance to emergency lighting, and how do they compare to Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)?

TM65 is a method for calculating the embodied carbon of building services products, including luminaires, heating systems, and other mechanical and electrical components. It provides an estimate of a product’s carbon footprint when a full Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is not available.

For emergency lighting manufacturers like Ventilux, TM65 is particularly relevant because their customers, including electrical contractors and consultants, often require embodied carbon calculations to assess the sustainability of projects. The TM65 framework considers the materials used in the product’s construction, the manufacturing processes and energy consumption, the transportation from production to the point of use, and the installation impacts on-site.

TM66 is different, it is a lighting-specific framework designed to promote a circular economy in the lighting industry. Unlike TM65, which quantifies embodied carbon, TM66 provides guidance and an assessment methodology to evaluate how well lighting products align with circular economy principles.

TM66 focuses on design for circularity, ensuring products are easy to disassemble and repurpose. It also emphasises remanufacturing potential to extend product life cycles and recycling efficiency by using sustainable materials. Additionally, TM66 promotes effective end-of-life management, aiming to reduce landfill waste. While TM66 does not provide direct data for embodied carbon calculations, it demonstrates a company’s commitment to sustainability and responsible product design. Overall, while TM65 is valuable for project specifications, TM66 highlights a company’s broader, long-term commitment to environmental responsibility.

An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a comprehensive third-party-verified document that provides a full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a product, covering its entire environmental impact from raw material extraction to disposal.

What many people don’t realise is that the third-party verification process that ensures accuracy, can differ with each different program operator who then oversees their registration and publication – often meaning different or conflicting calculations. While TM65 and TM66 provide valuable insights, they are not full LCAs like EPDs. However, when used together, TM65 and TM66 data can give a detailed picture of a product’s sustainability, making them a useful alternative when an EPD is not available.

Ventilux are committed to providing reliable TM65 data to assist their customers with embodied carbon calculations. Additionally, they support TM66 principles as part of their mission to drive sustainability within the emergency lighting sector.

Ian Murphy, R&D Manager at Ventilux Ltd, emphasises the company’s dedication to environmental responsibility: “At Ventilux, sustainability is embedded in everything we do, so much so we’ve made efforts to remove all non-essential plastic from our packaging. We also take proactive steps to reduce embodied carbon using TM65 and champion a circular economy with TM66. We believe that by embracing both, we are setting standards in the emergency lighting industry and helping our clients make more responsible choices.”

By understanding these frameworks clients and contractors can make more informed choices when selecting products, ensuring compliance with sustainability goals and regulatory requirements.

For more information on how Ventilux integrates TM65 and TM66 principles into their emergency lighting solutions, contact their team today > UK sales@ventilux.co.uk

Samaleswari Temple is a Hindu temple in Sambalpur, Odisha, India, dedicated to the goddess known as Maa “Samaleswari’, and holds a profound religious significance across the Odisha and Chhattisgarh regions.

The landscape and lighting surrounding the temple required a significant upgrade, with leading architectural lighting manufacturer K-LITE being appointed by Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation limited (OBCC) to supply heritage lighting fixtures and poles as per the design Intent through the nominated contractor.

Samaleswari Temple was built in the middle of the 16th century, before being rebuilt by the 7th independent king of Sambalpur, who reigned during 1657 to 1665 AD. Today, this is one of the most popular temples in Odisha, which celebrates various festivals throughout the year. This region has a rich cultural heritage, and the mother goddess Samaleswari has been worshipped on the bank of the river Mahanadi for centuries.

The stunning landscape design was completed by Landscape Architect Mr. Akshya Behuria, who specified lighting products from K-LITE and worked closely alongside the team and the Nominated Contractor to meet the project brief. The design brief aimed to utilise heritage poles and lighting to enhance the architectural features of the temple and create a welcoming entrance to the space along the surrounding pathways.

A variety of K-LITE luminaires & Poles were installed, including Furrow Bishop pole, Corvus Hybrid Bollard, and Neon Flex luminaires. Persil Mini Charisma architectural lighting poles with imperial Mini fixtures enhanced the appearance of surroundings and provided a unique lighting identity, while Dynasty Post Top Luminaires are a modern heritage fixture which are aesthetically pleasing with a durable design. The Sudo open pathfinder is a sleek and aesthetic fixture designed to provide uniform illumination, providing guidance and security around the temple. K-LITE luminaires ensure sustainable LED technology which offers optimal light output and low power consumption.

The landscape and lighting renovation at Samaleswari Temple is an important project to the region of Odisha, marking the cultural and religious importance of the building. The heritage design of the lighting poles provided by K-LITE meets the cultural aesthetic and is sympathetic to the existing architecture and history while bringing in modern technology and sustainable solutions to benefit the client.

Project credits:

Client – Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation Limited
Contractor – URC Construction, Chennai
Architect – Akshya Behuria
Lighting solutions – K-LITE

Photography courtesy of K-LITE

Kingston Grammar School, a leading independent school located in Kingston Upon Thames, South-West London, boasts a rich heritage dating back to the 13th century. Many of the school’s facilities are housed in historic buildings.

The school recently upgraded its outdated exterior and emergency lighting systems, opting for a modern, efficient, and sustainable lighting solution. The project involved replacing metal halide fixtures with RGBW LED uplights and wall lights, alongside the introduction of wireless controls. Fluorescent lights were also retrofitted in key areas, such as the Art Block and Main Hall.

Lighting firm Silent Design was appointed to deliver the project and partnered with connectivity experts Tridonic. Having previously collaborated on several successful projects, the Silent Design team was confident that Tridonic could handle the wireless control components of the upgraded lighting system.
The project also included a comprehensive emergency lighting upgrade, featuring central monitoring and reporting across three buildings via the school’s IT infrastructure. By partnering with Tridonic, Silent Design was able to provide a holistic lighting solution tailored to the diverse needs of Kingston Grammar School—combining emergency lighting, retrofit upgrades, and exterior lighting systems.

Replacing older lighting systems in heritage educational buildings presents unique challenges. Together, Silent Design, Tridonic, and the project’s electrical contractor, Redlands Electrical, delivered an innovative lighting solution that overcame these obstacles. The system integrates seamlessly into the existing infrastructure while meeting modern lighting and safety standards. Wireless controls were implemented to avoid extensive rewiring, and prototype testing ensured that the final design met the school’s requirements.

For the emergency lighting upgrade, Tridonic supplied sceneCOM evo to create a central DALI emergency monitoring and reporting system, seamlessly integrated with the school’s IT infrastructure. EM R2A PRO emergency lights, in recessed, surface, and bulkhead formats, were equipped with basicDIM Wireless G2 wireless modules to ensure effective control and communication across the wireless network, supported by basicDIM Wireless Passive Modules for enhanced connectivity.

In the retrofit upgrade, Tridonic delivered ADV6 LEDs paired with NFC PRE3 LED Drivers, offering efficient lighting performance and flexibility. Tridonic’s basicDIM Wireless G2 Modules provide wireless control across most retrofit lights, while basicDIM Wireless SR Modules power luminaires with integrated PIRs and DALI2 sensors, including 4DPI for wide coverage in the Art Block and 10DPI for high-level installations in the Main Hall. For exterior lighting, Tridonic deployed LC 75 UNV 24V Outdoor LED Drivers and basicDIM Wireless PWM 4-Channel Controls, ensuring robust and reliable performance in outdoor conditions.

This integrated solution has brought significant benefits to the school, including advanced lighting control, increased energy efficiency, and simplified maintenance. Kingston Grammar School now has a reliable, future-proof system that enhances safety, functionality, and sustainability across its campus.

“Tridonic’s comprehensive offering made us the ideal partner for Silent Design on the Kingston Grammar School project,” said James Huntington, OEM Controls & Solutions Manager from Tridonic. “Our sceneCOM evo system provides unrivalled control and extensive data collection, so making this the heart of the school’s lighting system delivers exceptional monitoring and reporting capabilities. The benefits are already being realised by the school’s administration.”

The collaboration between Silent Design, Redlands Electrical, and Tridonic stands as a testament to how innovative lighting technology can successfully transform educational spaces.

LUG, a leading manufacturer of professional lighting solutions, are proud to announce that they have been awarded the Platinum EcoVadis certification, placing the company among the top 1% of businesses worldwide in terms of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable business practices.

For LUG, sustainability is not just a buzzword; it is a core part of their business philosophy. Their dedication to environmental stewardship, ethical practices, and social responsibility has been recognised and celebrated with this Platinum accreditation from EcoVadis.

EcoVadis is a globally recognised sustainability assessment platform, and this achievement signifies LUG’s commitment to their organisation, products and beyond.

For many years, LUG has integrated sustainability into its core operations, prioritising energy-efficient lighting solutions, responsible sourcing, and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. This Platinum rating now affirms the company’s dedication to reducing carbon footprints, increasing energy efficiency, and ensuring sustainable production methods across all aspects of its business.

One of LUG’s standout achievements in sustainability is their emphasis on circular economy principles, which focus on minimising waste, maximising material reuse, and extending product lifecycles, through initiatives like their RE-LUG scheme. Additionally, LUG continuously invests in cutting-edge LED technology that enhances efficiency while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.

Beyond environmental efforts, LUG also upholds the highest standards of business ethics and social responsibility. The company ensures fair labour practices, fosters workplace diversity and inclusion, and collaborates with responsible suppliers who share the same values.

Darrell West, Country Manager UK said: “While achieving the certification is a significant milestone, we’re continuing to push the boundaries of sustainable innovation in the lighting industry. We are committed to continually improving our sustainability practices to ensure that our journey makes a positive impact on the world.”

LUG’s Platinum EcoVadis status is not just an achievement – it’s a testament to the company’s unwavering vision for a greener, more ethical and sustainable future.

CU Phosco, a leader in innovative lighting and telecommunications infrastructure
solutions, is delighted to announce its participation in Mobile World Congress (MWC)
Barcelona 2025. From the 3rd to 6th of March, CU Phosco will be exhibiting in Hall
7, Stand 7C1, marking a historic milestone as the first UK lighting manufacturer
to exhibit at this globally renowned event. This is a clear demonstration of
commitment to pioneering innovation in both lighting and telecommunications
infrastructure and supporting Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in achieving their
connectivity goals.

MWC Barcelona is the world’s largest and most influential connectivity event,
bringing together global leaders in mobile technology, infrastructure, and digital
transformation. As the industry evolves, CU Phosco is at the forefront of delivering
robust, scalable, and future-ready telecommunications solutions that enhance
network capabilities and drive operational efficiencies.

The CU Phosco range of telecommunications infrastructure allows Mobile Network
Operators to deliver improved connectivity and densification from city centre street
level through to rural environments.

Monopoles

CU Phosco has been designing and manufacturing monopoles and masts for the
telecommunication industry for over forty years, starting with the foundation of
large-scale mobile communication using 2G technology. CU Phosco has been
designing, manufacturing and delivering upgrades and retrofit solutions for
monopoles throughout this time and fully understands the requirements of MNOs.

Connected Urban Smart Pole Range

CU Phosco has been transforming connectivity at street level by delivering its
innovative Connected Urban solutions, which are welcomed by cities and
municipalities as aesthetically pleasing and have a minimal visual impact while
providing macro coverage capability in a small footprint. The CU Phosco stand
features a Connected Urban 2 x 900 base unit, as a direct replacement for a street

lighting pole, enabling MNOs to expand into the urban street environment and deliver
increased capacity and coverage.
The solution accommodates multiple RRUs and BBUs, along with power and fibre
connections, in a future-proofed scalable design that still provides the base function
of a street lighting pole.

Connected Urban Extended Base

Building on customer’s demand for the 2 x 900 base and the need for increased
capacity within structures for Remote Radio Units (RRUs), Base Band Units (BBUs),
and backhaul infrastructure, CU Phosco has designed and manufactured the
Connected Urban Extended Base range.

The Connected Urban Extended Base offers

 Expanded capacity: Accommodates up to 30RU of 19” rack-mounted
equipment with a depth of 650mm.
 Advanced power systems: Rack-mounted -48VDC power systems for
increased reliability.

 Standby battery systems: Space for batteries within the structure
 Greater network capability: Supports up to 12 Macro Remote Radio Units
(RRUs), a significant upgrade from the previous limit of two.

 Multi-operator functionality: Dedicated 19” rack mounting and RRUs for
each operator, eliminating the need for shared equipment.
 Secure and streamlined design: Lockable enclosures for customer/operator
power and fibre connections, plus a separate dedicated enclosure for
electricity company power and metering.

 Reduced street clutter: Removes the need for additional street furniture
typically required for incoming power and fibre management.
 Enhanced service integration: The upper pole can support additional
technologies, including microwave dishes, with built-in rack mounting for
optimal structural integrity.

As the demand for 5G, smart city applications, and enhanced connectivity
continues to grow, CU Phosco’s telecommunications infrastructure solutions
provide a future-proofed, space-efficient, and multi-functional approach to
urban, suburban and rural network deployment.

Visit CU Phosco at MWC 2025

Join us at Hall 7, Stand 7C1, to discover how CU Phosco can help transform your
network infrastructure. Our team will be on hand to discuss how our cutting-edge
solutions can support mobile operators in meeting the challenges of tomorrow’s
connectivity landscape.

Church of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, UK

As part of an ambitious renovation project to improve the aesthetics and safety at Norwich’s Church of St. Peter Mancroft, a suite of solutions from lighting controls specialist Pharos Architectural Controls have been installed within the historic site to enhance worship and improve its eco credentials.

The Church of St. Peter Mancroft has stood proud in the heart of Norwich for nearly 600 years. As an important heritage site, the church’s lighting needed an upgrade to highlight its beautiful architecture, while supporting the multiple uses of the building. To achieve the client’s brief and make the necessary enhancements to the Grade 1 listed mediaeval building required a high level of sensitivity.

Lighting designers Enlightened were appointed to create a new lighting scheme for the church. The lighting scheme requirements were two-fold: to create beautiful lighting scenes to enhance worship, and to support the staging of secular events within the building, such as concerts and exhibitions. To fulfil the control element of the scheme, Enlightened specified a system from Pharos.

As well as enhancing the site’s visual appeal, the new lighting has formed part of a forward-thinking and ambitious net-zero project to reduce the carbon footprint of the church – which the lighting control significantly contributes to.

A comprehensive LED lighting scheme has been designed by Enlightened to replace the existing outdated and inefficient sodium-based light sources. Over 300 new and fully dimmable fixtures were installed – all with individual control using a Designer lighting control system from Pharos.

Building scenes to support the different uses within the church was an important part of the lighting design, and the Pharos Designer system fulfilled the brief perfectly, enabling pre-programmed scenes to be executed whenever needed. “We collaborated closely with the client to really understand how they needed to use the lighting and how we could create the various scenes and sequences that might be required”, explains lead lighting designer on the project, Simon Marcus from Enlightened.

“We were also able to show and explain to the client how the lighting could be used to enhance worship and change the mood at any given time. For example, scenes that warm the lights as the congregation stands to sing, which then cool down and focus on the celebrant giving the sermon once the singing has finished, are small but significant ways in which the lighting can enhance the experience within the church, through intelligent lighting control.

“Positioning the majority of the lighting strategically inside the clerestory window reveals gave the correct angles to both illuminate the body of the church and uplight the spectacular hammer beam roof and ceiling bosses. It was imperative to correctly illuminate the choir and sanctuary for both worship and for the many concerts that take place at the Church of St Peter Mancroft.

“The ability to recall pre-programed lighting scenes via the touchscreen on a Designer TPC (Touch Panel Controller) and three Designer BPS (Button Panel Station) interfaces provided user-friendly control to even the most non-technical of people at the church. Mobile access to scene recall is also possible on a tablet within the building, using a custom web interface hosted by the TPC”, he added.

The lighting design also had to consider the sensitivities of the Grade 1 listed mediaeval building itself. Custom-designed and manufactured plates were used to mount the lighting fixtures, minimising the need for fixings on the structure itself.

The entire Pharos Designer system, installed to create the desired lighting control effects, comprised the aforementioned TPC and BPS interfaces, plus a RIO (Remote Input Output) 44 device all connected with Designer PoE (Power over Ethernet) network switches.

The new energy efficient LED lighting has formed a crucial part of the net zero project for the church, working alongside solar panels, battery storage and new air-source heat pumps. The new lighting is expected to reduce electricity consumption of the church’s lighting by around 80%.

Ryan Sainsbury, Regional Sales Manager for UK and Northern Europe at Pharos Architectural Controls, said: “The Church of St Peter Mancroft boasts a stunning architectural interior that dates back to the 15th century. Working with Enlightened on this project was an immensely positive experience, and it was very rewarding to see our market-leading control solutions bring the new lighting scheme at the church to life. It’s also very satisfying to know that our technology is contributing to a much lower carbon footprint for the site; reducing emissions, and costs.”

Project Credits:
Lighting design and installation: Enlightened Lighting
Systems Integrator: Experience Lighting
Architect: Nicholas Jackson Pharos Architectural Controls

Pixel Artworks, a leading immersive experience studio, has launched The Lighthouse, a groundbreaking mixed-reality showroom located in the heart of Clerkenwell, Farringdon. This one-of-a-kind space brings together physical and virtual experiences, showcasing the agency’s innovative technology and creative expertise.

The Lighthouse serves as a dynamic platform for Pixel Artworks’ cutting-edge technology, including augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and holographic displays. The showroom features various bespoke spaces, offering brands a first-hand look at immersive technology in action. The space is designed to inspire businesses by demonstrating the possibilities of immersive experiences and how they can address real-world challenges.

The project’s main contractor Thirdway appointed market-leading manufacturer Light Forms to provide the solutions for the project as a lighting specialist alongside Pixel Artworks. Given that the showroom is connected to a commercial space, the lighting needed to be both adaptable and functional. In addition, it was essential for the lighting to reflect Pixel Artworks’ unique branding, showcasing the company’s capabilities and vision.

Light Forms supplied their Lightplane 1 linear luminaires with pixel mapping technology, custom-designed for the showroom. Spanning a total of 170 meters, the lighting installation features seamless custom joins that interlock the luminaires to form a single, unified piece. The result is a technically complex yet visually striking installation that enhances the showroom’s immersive atmosphere.
This technically challenging feat provided a brilliant end result that the entire team were thrilled by. Pixel Artworks manage the lighting scenes in house, providing them with a blank canvas to create various lighting states that evoke different atmospheres.

Mark Ryan, Installations Director at Pixel Artworks said, “The Lighthouse is a perfect demonstration of what we do as a company. It’s an elevation of a traditional showroom, with the versatility to theme the space, create dynamic movement in the ceiling, and provide a unique and unexpected experience for our clients. The lighting installation we created with Light Forms helps truly bring the space to life. The result is a fully immersive, adaptable environment that meets the needs of our various experiences and elevates our clients’ perceptions of what’s achievable in the world of immersive tech.”

James Hall, Sales Director at Light Forms, said, “It was an honour to work with the talented teams at Pixel Artworks and Thirdway on this project. We were excited by the challenge of taking the initial concept and delivering custom lighting that met the team’s vision. This was a unique project for us, as we provided a complete package and managed the installation ourselves, bringing our specialist lighting expertise to the Pixel Artworks team.”

Project credits:
Client – Pixel Artworks
Designer & Contractor – Thirdway
Photography – Collective Lines