Suspended Uplighting

The Royal Automobile Club Regional Control Centre in Bristol was designed as a landmark building for this national motoring organisation. The brief included the provision of overhead lighting for three floors of open plan office accommodation, serviced through a raised floor rather than via suspended ceilings.

Unusually, the lighting was an integral part of the overall design, developed from the outset in conjunction with the architectural structure of the building. The results of this early collaboration between architect and industrial designer are reflected in a solution which addresses both practical and aesthetic issues.

The extra ceiling height was used in the development of a suspended uplighting system providing an even, diffused light level of 300 lux at desk height. A slender central boom is suspended from the concrete structural beams on stainless steel rods, off which arms and luminaires are cantilevered.

The luminaires reflect off specially formed coffers that soften the light and reduce glare for VDU users. A timing device contributes to energy conservation as well as providing flexibility for the user. The lighting booms and luminaires are manufactured from 1mm sheet steel and assembled off site. Only ceiling fixings and connections to the power supply are required.