Desco's CEF IT Headquarters project wins Electrical Industry Award for 'Lighting Project of the Year 2018'
On Thursday the 25th October the Electrical Industry Awards was held in the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London organised by the Electrical Times Magazine the evening rewards a whole host of proactive approaches to individual achievement, technical innovation and collaboration.
Desco’s CEF Headquarters project was shortlisted for the Lighting Project of the year following a submission by Tamlite Lighting UK. Much to the delight of everyone involved in the project it went on to be the overall winner of the category.
This year’s finalist and winners were decided by a panel of industry experts including Helen Atkinson (ECA), Darren Staniforth (NICEIC), Peter Hunt (LIA), Frank Bertie (NAPIT) and Steve Brawley (JIB).
James Davison, Senior Engineer and Desco’s in- house specialist lighting designer commented on the project:
“The Concept matured as the client’s ambitious vision for a more innovative, contemporary office environment emerged. As the brief and client’s expectations evolved, so too did the lighting design, retaining a flexible approach to the design being the key element. FaulknerBrowns lead architects on the project had a very keen sense of how they wanted the building to look and the lighting needed to tie into this vision whilst maintain the element of flexibility throughout the building. The brief was to develop a contemporary workplace solution which embodies and reflects CEF’s drive and commitment to innovation. The building reinforces this culture and provides the ideal workplace for staff to perform at their highest level in comfortable surroundings.
We designed the lighting to be sleek and unobtrusive but also to be complementary of the architect’s chosen pallet of materials. A bespoke luminaire was developed specifically for the project resulting in a highly adaptable solution which we were able to use throughout the building adding a real sense of symmetry.
We also utilised what could be considered ‘generic’ everyday type luminaires; modular fittings, downlights etc. in new and exciting ways to generate a number of specific and subtle effects. Whether this was self-illuminating stair treads or giant industrial light boxes beneath the bridges, the luminaires are hidden from view so that only the effect of the light is visible. These delicate design touches only help to amplify the simplicity and strength of the industrial aesthetic.
It comes with no surprise that this fantastic project has been awarded lighting project of the year, it’s a great accolade to all parties involved in designing, developing and constructing the project a big well done to all!”
Desco were appointed to provide the mechanical and electrical design services on the new £10m headquarters for award winning electrical giants, CEF. The team reached capacity at their Meadowfield offices and announced a multi-million-pound investment in a new hi-tech, environmentally friendly office built on newly acquired land opposite their existing offices.
The firm, established in 1951, employs nearly 7,000 people with 390 branches across the UK and is one of the UK’s leading electrical wholesalers. CEF has had a long-standing commitment to technology, unique in its industry. This has seen it develop an impressive internal IT team developing their own software and web services.
The 10-acre site was acquired by CEF in 2016 and planning permission was granted for the impressive £10m+ build. The design brief was to develop a technologically cutting-edge building, which would not only provide some of the best work space in the North East but also reflected the company’s industry and heritage.
The new two storey headquarters development is home to the company’s IT, data and marketing employees, enabling them all to be under one roof. The headquarters building comprises a main entrance including staff accommodation, data centre, meeting rooms, staff kitchen/café and plant accommodation. The second floor consists of staff accommodation, a gym and plant accommodation
“The Concept matured as the client’s ambitious vision for a more innovative, contemporary office environment emerged. As the brief and client’s expectations evolved, so too did the lighting design, retaining a flexible approach to the design being the key element. FaulknerBrowns lead architects on the project had a very keen sense of how they wanted the building to look and the lighting needed to tie into this vision whilst maintain the element of flexibility throughout the building. The brief was to develop a contemporary workplace solution which embodies and reflects CEF’s drive and commitment to innovation. The building reinforces this culture and provides the ideal workplace for staff to perform at their highest level in comfortable surroundings.
We designed the lighting to be sleek and unobtrusive but also to be complementary of the architect’s chosen pallet of materials. A bespoke luminaire was developed specifically for the project resulting in a highly adaptable solution which we were able to use throughout the building adding a real sense of symmetry.
We also utilised what could be considered ‘generic’ everyday type luminaires; modular fittings, downlights etc. in new and exciting ways to generate a number of specific and subtle effects. Whether this was self-illuminating stair treads or giant industrial light boxes beneath the bridges, the luminaires are hidden from view so that only the effect of the light is visible. These delicate design touches only help to amplify the simplicity and strength of the industrial aesthetic.
It comes with no surprise that this fantastic project has been awarded lighting project of the year, it’s a great accolade to all parties involved in designing, developing and constructing the project a big well done to all! “