Click on the advert above to visit the company web site

Product category: Heating Systems, Controls and Management
News Release from: SES Shepherd Engineering Services | Subject: 'The SES Schools Lighting Challenge'
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial Team on 30 March 2004

Pupil Lights Up Landmark University
Building

'The SES Schools Lighting Challenge' is an initiative launched by the company to get young people interested in the world of mechanical and electrical building services.

Tyneside school pupil Andrew Newton switched on his winning lighting display sequence for SES at the University of Newcastle's new landmark £12 million Devonshire Building recently Andrew, 15, of John Spence Community High School, won the honour after entering 'The SES Schools Lighting Challenge'

An initiative launched by the company, who are installing the £3.5m building services into the building, to get young people interested in the construction industry, and more specifically the world of mechanical and electrical building services.

Thrown open to schools in the Tyneside area the brief asked entrants to design an innovative lighting sequence to illuminate the southern facade of the University's new six-storey building.

It also included details about the developments green building credentials, architectural design aspirations and use.

Christened by the judges as 'The Sustainable Wave', Andrew's winning design consists of a series of changing blue tones that gently peak and trough across the building's dynamic steel and glasswork.

This creates the effect of a harmonious sea, which brings the structure to life in the hours of darkness.

Having switched on the lights Andrew's first reaction was," It's amazing! I can't believe that is my design.

It is better than I ever imagined." Commenting on his design, panel judge, SES Project Manager and the Challenges' creator, Steve Joyce, said: "We felt that Andrew's wave design embraced the spirit of the building; pioneering M and E design principles, exciting fluid architecture and environmental sustainability through its life-cycle.

It was also felt it illustrated, in colour, the attitude of all the parties involved in the building - a cohesive blend of all the trades and skills involved moving towards one goal." Speaking for the University Professor Tony O'Donnell, Director of the Institute for Research on Environment and Sustainability, said: '"We are very impressed indeed with Andrew's design.

He has shown a great understanding of the twin concepts of harmony with the environment and sustainability, which underpin the Devonshire Building.

The Devonshire can now rightly be described as a landmark building for the University and the city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne by night as well as by day." Neil Skinner, who also was on the panel of Judges and is a Lighting Design Consultant for Apex, said: "I chose Andrew's design because I felt he fully understood the capabilities of the colour change system, plus I thought his, more than the others, emphasised the buildings outstanding features." The Challenge was made possible after SES sourced and specified a low energy LED colour change external lighting system supplied by Apex Electrical Solutions, Newcastle.

In line with the clients approach to sustainable energy, the system uses approximately a fifth of the power that would normally be required to light the same size structure using a conventional floodlighting scheme.

Also, because the system can be programmed to change colour it gave SES the opportunity to launch the Challenge for the schools in the area.

This is not the first time the University's flagship development for Environmental and E-Science has been in the spotlight.

Through adopting the highest standards of environmental and sustainable design it recently achieved the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) 'Excellent' rating.

This is regarded by the UK construction sector as the 'gold standard' for environmental design and management.

The award also meant it was the first University laboratory in the country to ever achieve such a standard.

SES in conjunction with M and E design partners White Young Green, implemented numerous innovate ideas to be used on the building services aspect of the project at the initial design stages.

These included the use of Aquatherm pipework, which offers recyclable options at the end of the buildings life; collection of rainwater from the large roof area, which is stored in a 20,000 litre underground tank - this then provides flushing water for the sanitary systems; geothermic cooling and a PIR/Daylight Sensing Light system.

Speaking about the building White Young Green's, Chris Cartwright, said: "The M and E Services team embraced the innovate and sustainable aspirations of the client and the building to deliver a world-class research centre." Finally, Steve Joyce said: "I would also like to thank the University, HBG Construction, Apex Electrical Solutions and all the schools involved for their full support on this initiative.".

• SES Shepherd Engineering Services: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Buildingtalk email newsletter
• Buildingtalk Home Page

Search the Pro-Talk network of sites

Put your news on Buildingtalk  |   Advertise  |   Get the free Buildingtalk newsletter  |   Buildingtalk Home
About Buildingtalk  |   Copyright © 2000-2008 Pro-Talk Ltd, UK