More than 75 years’ experience providing education lighting solutions gives us an invaluable perspective on meeting the needs of students and staff. Our lighting solutions, including controls, not only provide the flexibility that learning spaces demand, but are also perfectly matched to everybody’s needs – ones that create the perfect environment in which to learn and teach.
Modern education lighting solutions must also be suited to the latest design philosophies, particularly meeting the demands of the Priority Schools Building Programme. It should be suited to the latest building techniques, reducing installation time whether in rapid on-site programmes or modular off-site builds.
University facilities differ greatly from any other education environment. They are more dynamic, and require lighting solutions that reflect this future-focused learning space. Modern campus buildings are inspirational places, and require lighting that enhances the architectural aesthetic, whilst also providing a comfortably lit environment.
Whether it’s in a classroom or a storeroom, all our lighting and control solutions are built on our four pillars: user experience, lighting standards and compliance, design optimisation and environmental sustainability.
Modern education lighting solutions must also be suited to the latest design philosophies, particularly meeting the demands of the Priority Schools Building Programme. It should be suited to the latest building techniques, reducing installation time whether in rapid on-site programmes or modular off-site builds.
University facilities differ greatly from any other education environment. They are more dynamic, and require lighting solutions that reflect this future-focused learning space. Modern campus buildings are inspirational places, and require lighting that enhances the architectural aesthetic, whilst also providing a comfortably lit environment.
Whether it’s in a classroom or a storeroom, all our lighting and control solutions are built on our four pillars: user experience, lighting standards and compliance, design optimisation and environmental sustainability.
From those nervous first days of pre-school to the mature confidence of graduation, we see it as our responsibility to help create a positive and supportive environment in which to learn and teach.
Our education lighting solutions, including controls, not only provide the flexibility that learning spaces demand, but also the technical specifications that suit the latest building techniques, and regulations.
Classrooms are undoubtedly the centre of any learning establishment and the most commonly occupied space. The activities undertaken in these learning areas are many and varied and, regardless of the task or age of the user, classroom lighting must accommodate this diversity.
Lighting standards for classrooms reflect this diversity of use with a requirement to comply with a defined set of metrics including horizontal, wall and cylindrical illuminance and glare, for each application.
Inside and out, lighting in school sports halls plays an important role in students getting the maximum benefit out of physical exercise.
With a wide variety of activities, the ability to manage lighting levels becomes critical to enhance every performance. Light levels in sports halls are specified at 300 lux, but in our experience, the multiple uses of these spaces may mean higher lighting levels are required, although not at all times or across the entire hall.
Cricket nets are a good example of this, as they often need higher lighting levels but not usually across an entire hall. Additional luminaires over the required spaces that can be separately switched on and off deliver an effective and energy efficient solution.
Due to how these spaces are used, we can have the freedom and scope to design lighting solutions that create an environment with contrasts, visual stimulation and interest.
These spaces should be bright and comfortable to encourage social interaction, whether face-to-face or digital, and to enjoy some downtime. Good vertical illumination and modelling play an important role in achieving these objectives.
Uniformity is important in servery and kitchen areas for a safe working environment. We recommend that luminaires should have an IP rating in keeping with the activity being undertaken and have a wipe clean front face to support the cleaning and maintenance regime.
The arteries of any educational building, the lighting of these spaces is critical for the smooth and safe movement of students, staff and visitors.
The best solutions are based around a careful blend of horizontal illuminance at floor level and excellent vertical illumination.
As these spaces are often unsupervised, we advise the use of linear or modular luminaires with a wide distribution, delivering more light at higher angles that minimise shadows and dark corners, to create a safe environment – one which improves facial recognition and modelling.
When planning lighting for lecture theartes we have to consider the very different needs of those presenting and those learning and, most importantly, lighting that allows for a real connection between the two.
Needs that require two lighting solutions that work in tandem – a balance between doing what needs to be done and being able to take in what is being taught.
We can help achieve that balance with an illumination solution that takes into consideration factors such as the position of the lecturer, concentration levels and effective note taking.
Another factor we take into consideration is the importance of achieving good facial recognition, which we can achieve through the use of good modelling and cylindrical illuminance.
To maximise the effectiveness of any lecture theatre lighting solution, we advise the use of a control solution that is simple and intuitive to use, enabling multiple lighting scenes to be set, from a blanket lux level through to all luminaires dimmed to allow for visual demonstrations, with gradual changes between light levels to minimise disturbance.
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While still fulfilling their traditional role as somewhere quiet in which to study, modern libraries are used for a wide variety of study-related activities.
A lighting design has to reflect these multiple functions in its flexibility, so it must deliver a well-lit, comfortable environment which aids concentration, whatever studying technique may be being used at any given time.
Any solution has to consider open areas where collaborative group work may occur, localised lighting for use in discreet individual study spaces, and the vertical lighting of bookcases to allow quick easy selection without disturbing other students or interfering with other areas nearby.
Our research continues into the benefits of individuals having personal control over the level of light output and colour temperature in these critical study spaces.
The ultimate benefit of our solutions in these key areas is that which comes from the positive impact they have on the students’ learning environment.
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Work in these spaces is highly focused, so visual comfort is critical, which we achieve through the use of premium optics with advanced glare control technology to minimise veiling reflectance on monitors, as well as minimising UGR (Unified Glare Rating) that allows people to focus on the results they are aiming for.
To get the balance right can involve an IP rating of between IP44 and IP65, and lighting units that are be robust and easy to clean, so as not to interfere with the integrity of the work being undertaken.
The choice of luminaire is not just about an IP rating. They must be resistant to cleaning chemicals, have minimal horizontal surfaces and maintain room integrity during maintenance.
Luminaires with minimal LED depreciation and longer driver life will not only ensure maintained illuminance values throughout the life of the installation, but also keep maintenance requirements to a minimum.
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Often thought of by many as being ‘behind the scenes’, we believe that the lighting in ancillary staff and administration rooms should be both comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.
Essential for a clean, safe and functional environment, administration and ancillary areas in education establishments range from general storage of equipment and materials to more hazardous boiler and plant rooms.
Lighting must therefore allow for both the protection requirements and the functionality of each individual space. Inadequate lighting in areas such as plant rooms, maintenance and housekeeping, which commonly have little or no natural light, can conceal slippery floors, trip hazards or other potentially dangerous situations.
Where appropriate, we also recommend the installation of movement triggered lighting to maintain safety and maximise energy efficiency.
We give careful consideration in our lighting solutions to luminaires exposed to water and condensation, with extra protection ensuring safe and reliable operation – making light work for the key workers in these areas.
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Whether its staff getting to their cars at the end of the day, students leaving for home on a dark afternoon or evening, or local wildlife benefitting from the spaces around educational premises, our focus in creating outdoor lighting solutions for the education sector is to make the outside spaces safe for all, while minimising upward lighting and reducing unnecessary light pollution.
In pedestrian areas and car parks, high levels of uniformity are required and, to aid facial recognition, we recommend the use of post top fittings.
For lighting roadways, our recommendation depends on the classification of the road, as on access roads and car parks where traffic may be slower, a lower level of illumination may be possible than that more conventionally associated with the lighting of public roads and highways.
Combining our choice of lighting units with one of our smart lighting control systems achieves not only lower operating costs in outdoor locations, but helps reduce light pollution while still enhancing safety and security.
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Energy consumption reduction and the cost savings it brings are the most obvious benefit of using lighting controls, but they are not the only ones.
Depending on the function of a space and its usage patterns, customising the lighting controls’ design supports the overall lighting control strategy and gives users the optimum light levels for a variety of activities.
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Emergency lighting provision is an essential element of any lighting solution in an education environment.
A secure, effective, nondisruptive emergency lighting solution is vital in order to ensure safe evacuation of students, staff and visitors.
Early consultation with us will ensure that the lighting solution we provide, including emergency lighting in areas identified as being high risk, will be delivered.
At the start of an education project or looking for a supplier to meet your installation and lighting unit needs? Our team of experienced consultants can help you find the right lighting solution.
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Cut energy costs and emissions with smart, sustainable classroom lighting, natural light, and smart controls
How exercise boosts health, teamwork, and performance - and why lighting matters
Thoughtful outdoor lighting protects students, prevents accidents, and enhances safety
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