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 how intelligent lighting controls maximize energy cost savings and flexibility at a university dining hall. Design by Elisabeth Hyde, Lighting Designer, Hyde Engineering; John Wood, Lighting Designer, CMH Architects; and Mary Kathryn Holt, Lighting Designer, University of Alabama Furnishings & Design Dept. Photos courtesy of the University of Alabama. Lighting controls by Wattstopper.
This new construction $15 million higher education dining facility accommodates 550 diners. The facility is designed to provide a fresh, fun interior while offering a plethora of dining choices. Lighting played a tremendous part in the overall concept. The lighting controls for this building are programmable so that as needs change, the lighting can change too.
The facility is divided into multiple zones and the controls allow for them to be set to turn off and on at different times of the day and days of the week.
Since the entire dining area will not be operational at all times, zoning and control is crucial for energy management. Smaller offices, storage rooms, and restrooms are controlled with occupancy sensors.
Pendant mounted lighting in soffits were used to hide electrical conduit and HVAC duct work. The space included many different ceiling types including areas with no filing, lay-in ceilings, gypboard soffits, and sloped ceilings.
Another example showing the use of lighting to emphasize the various interior design themes. While the aesthetic is important, the result also needed to be energy efficient and maintenance friendly.
This is the widest shot showing the wide variety of fixtures used to light the space. The design incorporated energy efficient lighting that also worked with the design concept.
Energy Efficiency
Hyde Engineering was responsible for the electrical design which included 13.2 KV distribution, emergency power and horizontal data cabling. State-of-the-art fluorescent light fixtures, LED lighting and digital controls, were used to ensure energy efficiency and client satisfaction.
Budget
The project budget was a consideration. The design concept required fixtures that were not standard for a typical college project but still needed to fit in a college project budget. We worked to find the proper aesthetic at the best value. The required research and cost analysis throughout the design process.
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