Twenty years on financial services giant Capital One were still happy with the look and feel of
their classic TECTON lighting system, but in search of improved efficiency, once again
turned to Zumtobel for a fresh solution.
Trent House, Nottingham, is financial services’ giant Capital One's European HQ. It recently
underwent a major remodelling project to create a stimulating and responsive working
environment.
In the dynamic landscape of corporate transformations, Capital One took a strategic leap to
refurbish its 1st and 2nd floors, embarking on a journey towards modernisation and
efficiency. Partnering with Zumtobel, a trusted name in lighting solutions, the project aimed to
breathe new life into its 20-year-old Zumtobel TECTON System.
The collaboration had its roots in several successful smaller projects at the site, fostering a
relationship between Capital One and Zumtobel's lighting experts. The original installation, a
two-decade-old TECTON system, reflects the enduring quality associated with the brand.
With a vision for a more energy-efficient, automated, and visually appealing lighting scheme,
Capital One sought Zumtobel's expertise.
Luke Blacknall, Space & Projects Manager JLL, explains, “We started a journey in 2018 to
have a smarter and greener building and this began with installing Zumtobel lighting to use
on the LITECOM lighting controls system.
We already had Zumtobel lighting from original fit outs 20+ years ago and from researching
products available on the market these were still at the top of what we wanted to achieve and
aligned with our own goals.”
Modernising and futureproofing
In pursuit of modernisation and futureproofing, the 20-year-old lighting system was upgraded
to the latest iteration of Zumtobel's TECTON range. The new system, featuring ECOOS Slim,
a contemporary office luminaire, integrated cutting-edge technology for enhanced workplace
comfort. While TECTON provided flexibility in lighting design, ECOOS employed patented
Curved Wave Guide light coupling and MPO-plus micro-pyramidal optic, ensuring precise
light emission for computer screen applications with UGR < 19 and L < 3000 cd/m² at 65°.
The lighting upgrade also incorporated the LITECOM next generation building controls,
allowing for adaptability as Capital One grows. The potential to migrate to LITECOM Infinity,
accommodating up to 2500 addresses, ensures scalability and future flexibility.
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Not without its challenges
Despite challenges encountered during the process, such as global supply chain issues,
CAD drawing setup and integrating LITECOM modules, adept project management
facilitated a seamless journey. Regular site visits, coupled with collaboration with the
installing contractor, Integral, overseen by JLL, ensured alignment and guaranteed a
successful outcome.
Capitalising on the latest lighting technology
The transition to the new lighting solution capitalised on the latest LED technology and
controls, not only delivering a modern aesthetic but achieving 42% energy savings. The
adaptability and compatibility of the TECTON system were pivotal in the project's success.
Luke comments, “The LITECOM system gave us much more control over the use of our
lighting and allowed us to remotely control each fitting which has been a great benefit.
Because of this we continued and have replaced all our fittings over 3 floors to new Zumtobel
luminaires on the same system.
The time and money it saves to do all the emergency light testing remotely is another
fantastic benefit and on top of the functionality improvements, the aesthetics are brilliant!
To underscore its commitment to sustainability, all the existing luminaires were recycled
through Recolight, aligning with the project's broader goals.