| Coventry
University's new state of the art library has broken new fresh ground
environmentally, with a little help from RlDl Lighting Limited. The
revolutionary £20 million project covers a total of 130,000
square feet and is almost wholly naturally ventilated, cooled and
lit. The building cools naturally due to the design of the structure
and natural daylight is brought in via five glass atria light wells.
Natural ventilation is achieved by promoting the flow of fresh air
through the building using the 'stack effect', created by the design
of the radical chimney-like towers around the edge of the building.
RlDl luminaires
were specified throughout the entire building and included: 2,000
dimmable direct/indirect ALE
HI fittings with specular parabolic louvres for the main library
lending areas. Fitted with Tridonic PCA-Excel ballasts, the RIDI
luminaires are linked to a Luxmate computer controlled lighting
system that regulates the lighting levels according to daylight
conditions, whilst identifying failed lamps and ballasts. It is
anticipated that this system will offer energy savings of around
40% and that the building as a whole will be one of the year 2000's
most energy efficient constructions, achieving an overall energy
saving of 85%.
In the main library
lending areas the positioning of the luminaires was designed to
provide an even spread of illumination on the vertical faces of
the bookshelves as well as at desk level. This was achieved by mounting
the continuously suspended ALE
luminaires diagonally across the area. For further visual interest
90-degree UKN junction nodes were introduced to create suspended
'V' formations throughout the library. Luminaires in an enclosed
square formation, also utilising UKN junction nodes, have also been
used to accentuate the light wells.
To create visual
interest and texture on the ceiling, ALE
luminaires were suspended one metre from the four metre high surface.
This resulted in light and dark shadowing around the castellated
beams, an effect that had been specified in the design. In other
parts of the building, such as common rooms and office areas, RIDI's
ABSBI, ABHRI, ABML
and AIDA
luminaires were employed to provide the perfect, unobtrusive change
in emphasis. Emergency luminaires, wall lights and prismatic fittings
were also supplied on the project.
RlDl's ALE
luminaire was chosen for its technical performance, clean slim profile
and aesthetically pleasing appearance. 'The look of the light fitting
was important to us and RIDI's product matched our requirements
as well as being competitively priced" says Michael Lem, Electrical
Associate at Environmental Design Partnership. "Our clients
were also keen for the lighting not to be too obtrusive within the
interior space and are delighted with the resulting effect".
View
photos from this installation
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