innovative lighting – Building Specifier

Zumtobel together with its sister brand Thorn, both lighting brands of the Zumtobel Group, collaborated with Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Architects (AHMM) and Thornton Reynolds Building Services Consultants, to provide a state-of-the-art lighting solution for the transformation of Arthur Stanley House (ASH) in Fitzrovia. This landmark project combines the charm of the 1960s with cutting-edge post-Covid technology, creating a world-class office building that sets new standards in sustainability and flexibility.

Fitzrovia, a vibrant neighbourhood in central London, welcomes its first world-class office building with the refurbishment and extension of Arthur Stanley House. Originally designed by TP Bennett Architects, this 52,000-square-foot office block, nestled within the Charlotte Street conservation area, has undergone a remarkable transformation led by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Architects (AHMM) and Thornton Reynolds Building Services Consultants. A combination of Zumtobel and Thorn lighting solutions ensured flexibility for the incoming tenant fit-outs while maintaining high energy efficiency and sustainability.

Geraint Hayes, Senior Architect at Allford Hall Monaghan Morris explains,

“The reinvention of Arthur Stanley House plays on a balance of new meets retained. Our approach was based on stripping back the found condition to expose and celebrate the original brick, concrete and terracotta hollow pot soffits. Therefore, anything added to the building as part of the refurbishment needed to be sympathetic to what is a very honest design. Alongside the look and feel, the detail of the lighting system was an important factor as we needed a product that was elegant with minimal sightlines to avoid any clutter to the characterful terracotta soffits.”

Meeting the Challenge

Geraint continues,

“A high-quality lighting system was imperative to the success of the office floors plates to ensure the right balance between raw nineteen sixties concrete and new construction. Therefore, Zumtobel’s TECTON C was specified for its ultra slim profile and ‘plug and play’ functionality. The track is available in a range of lengths which offers full flexibility when space planning non uniform floor plates.”

To meet the demanding UGR requirements, the Zumtobel Group team delved into the details, conducting thorough investigations of the floor finishes for the space. It was discovered that the floor had a higher than ‘normal’ reflectance; this was resolved through the use of Zumtobel’s TECTON C Wide Beam which played a vital role in achieving the desired lighting conditions.

Overcoming these hurdles through careful analysis and collaboration, the Zumtobel Group successfully provided an exceptional lighting solution that met the project’s stringent requirements and aligned with the architect’s vision.

Flexible and Sustainable Lighting

As well as different variants of the TECTON range, Zumtobel’s SLOTLIGHT infinity, TUBILUX Slim, PERLUCE, LINCOR, ONDARIA, VIVO, and PANOS infinity pendants, recessed and surface-mounted options, offered a versatile lighting system. Zumtobel’s RESCLITE PRO emergency lighting and PURESIGN exit signs help guide people in the event of an emergency. Thorn’s Aquaforce Pro, Forceled, and Glacier LED luminaires further enhance the lighting experience. The complete system is controlled via Zumtobel’s LITECOM controls complete with their eBOX central emergency lighting system.

Steve Reynolds, Director at Thornton Reynolds, shares insights about the lighting objectives, Zumtobel’s products, and their collaboration experience, stating,

“Our objective for the lighting in Arthur Stanley House was to achieve a modern and efficient office lighting installation. We wanted to create an environment that promotes productivity and enhances the overall aesthetic appeal. The TECTON luminaires, fixed to the soffit, perfectly achieved our target. Their innovative design and performance capabilities ensured a high-quality lighting installation that met our expectations.”

Creating a Striking Ambiance

The luminaires have added a touch of elegance and functionality to the interior spaces. With carefully planned lighting placements, Arthur Stanley House boasts captivating visual effects that enhance productivity, comfort, and well-being.

Geraint comments,

“Zumtobel Group’s early engagement provided design and technical advice which proved to be immensely important in delivering our vision for ASH. This collaboration allowed us as architects to provide our client with a finished building that has very little, if any, change from the original design.”

Steve adds,

“We found Zumtobel Group to be very helpful throughout the project. Their team demonstrated excellent commercial alignment, ensuring a seamless process from initial discussions to finalising the contractor order. The collaborative approach and support from the Group made the project execution smooth and efficient.”

This collaboration has not only revitalised Arthur Stanley House to BREAAM excellence but has also set a new benchmark for lighting excellence in the heart of Fitzrovia. The fusion of timeless design, state-of-the-art technology, and sustainability has transformed this iconic building into a beacon of inspiration for the future of office spaces.

PRODUCTS

Zumtobel

TECTON C L1500 – TECTON VIVO – TECTON with PANOS infinity – SLOTLIGHT infinity – TUBILUX Slim – PERLUCE – RESCLITE PRO (TECTON and standalone variants) – PURESIGN – ONDARIA – LINCOR – eBOX – LITECOM controls – PANOS infinity pendants, recessed and surface

Thorn

Aquaforce Pro – Forceled – Glacier LED

CLICK HERE FOR THE ZUMTOBEL WEBSITE

CLICK HERE FOR THE THORN WEBSITE

Tel: 0191 365 2222 OR CLICK HERE to email Zumtobel

Zumtobel and its sister brand Thorn, both lighting brands of the Zumtobel Group collaborated with 5plus architects, MZA consultants, Ardmac main contractor, Emtec sub-contractor, and Rexel wholesaler to implement an energy-efficient lighting scheme at the iconic 100 Barbirolli Square. The Group’s innovative lighting solutions successfully met the brief, providing a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout the building.

Barbirolli Square holds historical significance as the birthplace of the renowned Hallé orchestra. Founded by conductor and cellist John Barbirolli, the orchestra quickly gained international recognition for its diverse talent and artistic excellence. Today, 100 Barbirolli Square symbolises this triumph of creativity and resilience during a time of global conflict.

The Zumtobel Group Lighting brands played a pivotal role in the £20 million upgrade of the prominent 1990s office block in Manchester. The three-year project involved a complete refurbishment of the 150,000 sq ft building, across 12 floors, including reception spaces. The aim was to create a visually appealing lighting design that utilised exposed services while reducing energy consumption.

Incorporating Sustainability

The refurbishment project at 100 Barbirolli Square also prioritised sustainability and occupant well-being. The design features a sophisticated and understated style, with exposed concrete, poured concrete flooring, raw polished plaster, natural materials, and air purifying plants. Moreover, the introduction of a large cycle hub with changing rooms directly accessible from the street encourages alternative and sustainable transportation options. A flexible studio/gym and spacious changing rooms were included to promote the health and well-being of the building’s users.

A lighting solution to match the building aspirations

Working closely with the architect and consultant, Zumtobel developed a comprehensive lighting solution for the project. Central to the scheme was their newly launched, SLOTLIGHT infinity ID, which perfectly matched the design aesthetic and provided excellent lighting performance. The SLOTLIGHT infinity ID, known for its wide-angle uplighting, ensured there were no hotspots on the ceiling, enhancing the overall visual appeal. The warm 3000K colour temperature created a cosy atmosphere against the concrete soffits, contributing to the building’s inviting ambiance.

Additionally, other Zumtobel products, including SLOTLIGHT infinity, PANOS infinity-P R70, Comsign, RESCLITE PRO, and SUPERSYSTEM integral, were strategically installed in different areas of the building. Thorn Lighting’s Aquaforce Pro and Chalice were also used in the basement plant, back-of-house, and cores.

The use of LED technology and intelligent controls significantly reduced energy consumption, aligning with the project’s sustainability goals.

Emmet McAteer, 5plus Architects:

“Our aim was to strip the building back to its frame and design a high-specification environment that meets the needs of modern occupiers. The lighting solution provided by the Zumtobel Group perfectly complements the architecture. The SLOTLIGHT infinity ID not only delivers exceptional lighting performance but also enhances the visual aesthetics of the space. It beautifully integrates with the exposed services, creating a seamless and harmonious design.”

Some impressive results

The lighting installation at 100 Barbirolli Square delivered impressive results in terms of energy efficiency and sustainability. Lighting traditionally accounts for approximately upwards of 25% of the energy used in an office building, here the use of the Zumtobel Group’s LED luminaires and intelligent controls reduces this by more than 50%, limiting the environmental impact.

The following statistics highlight the overall project’s success:

Embodied carbon saving: 71% over an equivalent new building.
Whole life carbon saving: 20% over an equivalent new building.
EPC Rating: B

“Chris Bryant, Director at MZA consultants comments: “”The selection of Zumtobel Group lighting solutions for 100 Barbirolli Square proved to be an excellent fit. Not only did they fulfil our energy efficiency criteria, but they also delivered exceptional lighting quality and the product range across the brands provided us with the necessary design flexibility. The collaborative effort between the Zumtobel Group brands and our project team resulted in a successful implementation that aligned with our envisioned outcome.”

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