Lighting the way to a sustainable future at revamped offices

IT and building technology firm Scenariio has helped an office development meets its sustainability targets by transforming existing lighting to make it high-tech and low energy.

The firm, based in Siddals Road, has just completed its latest smart lighting system project at the Here + Now development – a major refurbishment of two office buildings at Thames Valley Park, in Reading.

The buildings were acquired from original owners Microsoft by BauMont Real Estate Capital, which has teamed up with London-based management company V7 to create a highly sustainable campus focused on environmental, social and governance investing and wellness.

This includes making the buildings, which offer 145,000 sq ft of workspace, net zero carbon, while establishing a design-led space with a range of amenities including two cafes, a large indoor and an outdoor gym and an outdoor working area.

As part of the buildings’ general refit, Scenariio, working on behalf of office fit-out and design company Overbury, recommissioned the existing intelligent lighting system and upgraded the system’s software, replacing emergency lighting and repositioning the existing light fittings.

It also continues to provide ongoing maintenance and support with mechanical and electrical contractor, MEP Labs.

When the first tenant, software firm Coeo, moved into one of the floors of the ‘Now’ building, Scenariio returned to install remote gateways to allow the integration of feature lighting and intelligent lighting incorporating daylight dimming, with everything monitored through a state-of-the-art dashboard.

Then, when the second tenant, corporate service provider Vistra, moved in last month, Scenariio went back again to carry out minor works and install more gateways, enabling staff to control feature lighting in different parts of the office via the dashboard.

George Pritchard, technical director at Scenariio, said: “The Here + Now development is one of the most high-profile projects in the Thames Valley and we are very pleased to have got involved.

“V7 has huge plans for the development and at the heart of its campaign is promoting sustainability, combined with a focus on optimising employee health and wellbeing in order to attract and retain talent.

“We minimised waste by not ripping out and replacing the original lighting and the system was quick and easy to recommission, so everything was operational ahead of schedule.

“We’ve helped create a smart building which achieves both of V7’s objectives, but the lighting is just the start. Although everything is running on some of the original hardware, there are no power limitations, so we can add indoor air quality sensors and Bluetooth beacons with just small additions of kit.”