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Birmingham School of Law Renovation Project Wins 2015 IES Lighting Control Innovation Award

06/20/2016 by Lighting Controls Association Leave a Comment

The Lighting Control Innovation Award was created in 2011 as part of the Illuminating Engineering Society’s Illumination Awards program, which recognizes professionalism, ingenuity and originality in lighting design. LCA is proud to sponsor the Lighting Control Innovation Award, which recognizes projects that exemplify the effective use of lighting controls in nonresidential applications.

This month, we will explore the role that lighting controls play in the renovation of a university building. Lighting control design by Hannah Payne, Hyde Engineering. Lighting controls by Cooper Controls.

The future value to the engineering profession is realizing that innovation in electrical design is more than what meets the eye in a light fixture. In this project, the architect makes use of a concrete ramp to form the theater style seating in the lecture hall while wanting to emphasize the stunning wood ceiling and walls. We designed the lighting to showcase the woodwork and provide flexibility for the learning environment. The beauty lies within the simplicity of one touch lighting controls.

1

The entry to the school had to be impactful and solid. The lighting emphasized the character of the space without distracting from it.

2

Since the building is located in a downtown urban setting, the client wanted to encourage people to view the nightly activity at the school from
the outside. Hyde designed the interior lighting with this in mind, making it well lit and interesting, but not overpowering.

3

The client wanted the building to be as energy efficient as possible. Hyde designed the lighting using high performance fixtures and modern lighting controls. The lighting is both energy efficient and easy to use. The design beat the prevailing energy code by 20%.

4

The building selected for renovation was a three-story automobile dealership built in the 1920’s with concrete ramps, walls, and ceilings. Providing modern lighting and power proved to be a challenge. The mock courtroom instills a sense of spectacle and excitement due in part to dramatic and interesting lighting, showcasing how lighting can affect the mood and tenor of a space.

5

Delivering this project on time and on budget was critical. If the building was not ready by Jan. 2014 they would have to scramble for space and likely lost students. Hyde not only delivered its part of the project on time, but we were within budget.

Filed Under: Award Winning Projects, Education, Projects

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