Thorn lights Leeds' tallest office building 
(27/12/2007)
Thorn has lit the one of the tallest office buildings outside London. At 32 storeys and 137 metres high, Bridgewater Place is Leeds’ tallest mixed office and residential development, requiring over 3,000 modular luminaires, all of which were specially made. Thorn evolved the lighting in close co-operation with m&e contractor, SES (Shepherd Engineering Services), and building services engineering consultants, Operon.
Designed by architect Aedas, Bridgewater Place combines nine floors of high-spec office space with chic apartments, a hotel, shops and restaurants. The building incorporates a glass atrium that links the two tower structures and allows for maximum daylight.
The lighting design was determined by the ceiling module of 500mm, and the requirement for an office floor layout that could be quickly and easily adapted from the standard open plan to individual offices. The semi-recessed, custom product Elevation Premier 180 luminaires incorporate unique glowing reflective wing attachments and a centrally mounted louvre (1000 cd/m˛), employing twin 36W TC-L lamps to provide high light output with low glare and excellent colour rendering.
To achieve the most efficient use of energy the luminaires employ digital dimmable control gear controlled by daylight sensors and PIR motion detectors. Installation time was reduced via special quick release brackets, reduced packaging to site and tool free electrical connections - the fittings quickly connecting to the Electrack buscom trunking system with modular plug in leads.
The lighting delivers an upward light component onto the walls and ceiling, thus creating visual interest in the wider space. The result is a stimulating atmosphere while the use of 6500K lamps mimics daylight.
Steve Gleghorn, the company’s project manager says: "SES asked for a luminaire that provides an ideal working environment, while offering flexibility, quick installation and optimum energy saving. As a result, we had to carry out an enormous amount of application and customer evaluation work in the Product Verification Facility at Spennymoor.”
Related categories: Energy efficiency Lighting control system Luminaires Office and commercial
