Betty Boothroyd Building MK OU
The multi-award-winning Betty Boothroyd Library features a spacious central atrium with linear lighting that spans the entire length of its circulation areas. The original fixtures—with both single and twin fluorescents lamps, crafted from high-quality aluminium extrusions—deliver both direct and indirect illumination controlled by an Ex-Or MLSM bus system. Thanks to its modular design, complete with infills and dummy sections, this existing infrastructure provided the perfect framework for a seamless LED retrofit upgrade.
Client Consultation
The OU Estates Senior Project Engineer highlighted the university’s policy of prioritising refurbishment over replacement, prompting a range of potential options. The approved solution uses a single, bespoke aluminum gear tray featuring a row of LED boards on each side to provide both direct and indirect lighting. This custom unit replaces the existing twin 35W lamps and secures directly into the original lamp holder screw holes.
Electrical contractors can easily install this bespoke unit on-site, eliminating the need to remove the luminaires for off-site work. By reducing labour, time, and expenses, this approach ensures a highly sustainable and efficient refurbishment
Design
Sample designs were drawn up and approved and working samples manufactured for on site evaluation. To make sure the new LED products worked seamlessly with the existing control system, the Tridonic LED boards were powered by Tridonic one4All drivers and the high quality Lithium emergency units were supplied by Liteplan.
The direct lighting component used a Tridonic Opal Diffuser to blend the LED chips, creating a uniform illumination that closely mirrored the original fluorescent lamps. Notably, only a single, centrally mounted LED module was required to match the illuminance of the original twin lamps. For twin-lamp configurations, the LED outputs were increased to ensure identical lumen delivery. This approach enabled a single LED product line with adjustable outputs tailored to each specific fitting type
Comparisons
This highly cost-effective upgrade delivers maximum value with minimal site disruption. By comparing the original and upgraded versions, it is clear that retaining most existing materials in situ drastically reduces recycling needs and provides a far more sustainable solution.
Summary
The final results speak for themselves. Kent Electrical took the time to ensure the LED upgrades were installed correctly with great attention to detail. The REGEN Initiative worked closely with both the contractor and the client to ensure every step of the project went seamlessly. The final finish was first class, and the client was delighted with the results. This project serves as an excellent example of remanufacturing circularity, driven by a client who had the vision to upgrade rather than replace.
Project Performance Metrics
- 400 Luminaires remanufactured
- 45% Energy Savings across the project
- In-situ LED retrofit of T5 fluorescent to LED
- On site installation Light levels maintained or improved
- Emergency lighting upgraded to lithium technology
- Every retrofit gear tray tested and warranted
