Prolojik’s Plexus and GO systems were supplied and installed at Ecclesiastical Insurance’s new UK headquarters at Gloucester Business Park recently, a state-of-the-art solution that is designed to save the client both time and money. EIG is a specialist insurance and financial services company, wanted a new, modern and healthy office building, with room for 500 parking spaces. Ecclesiastical Insurance has been based in Gloucester since the 1970s and the firm was keen to remain in the area.
A tech enabled solution
GO is sustainable solution that crucially can be accessed by any contractor anywhere, so electrical contractors are in charge of their own destiny in delivering lighting controls. It has Bluetooth mesh network functionality and a Bluetooth DIG certified solution. In terms of cost saving for cabling, it delivers an impressive 15% reduction in the speed of installation because it has that Bluetooth functionality. And because it is available as an app, there is emergency testing reporting from anywhere in the building instantly.
The interior of the new 60,000 sq. ft HQ, named Benefact House, has been designed by BDG architecture + design, which worked on a workplace strategy for this client, creating an agile environment with an organic neutral feel, featuring a colour palette of green and blue. Benefact House was fitted out by Overbury with Max Fordham appointed as consultants and MCS the electrical contractor. Commenting on the project Sam Nichols, MCS project manager says, “A great effort from the MCS team and all of our supply chain, who have shown the utmost commitment to the project during these challenging times.”
The project, which began in May 2019 and completed in January 2021, consists of a CAT B fit-out of three floors of office space including a new mechanical and electrical plant to feed the new ground floor MEP services. All contractors had to rise to the challenge of working in a Covid-secure way and the workplace design had to support how the business works in the future, also taking into account the UK Government’s guidance on social distancing.
Ease of use and maintenance
Prolojik’s Plexus Dali Controllers were installed in the restaurant and the professional kitchen on the ground floor. This open protocol lighting solution enables allows for full monitoring and emergency testing. With the ability to control and adapt the system by third parties, Plexus not only allows for energy efficiencies but better overall future proofing of the building. Benefits include the fact that it has scene control and can enable energy efficient usage of the different spaces within the office, making the ultimate flexible offer.
The ultimate flexible solution
GO meanwhile, features in the meeting rooms, walkways and circulation spaces, as well as the staff kitchens and breakout spaces. The shared spaces of this project were particularly
crucial as this interior was designed as a community hub for Ecclesiastical’s staff. Go offers a particularly flexible configuration with direct DALI dimming control of up to nine luminaires in three groups, with input from both three multi-sensors and three switch devices. Its Bluetooth connectivity means ease of maintenance now, with scope to integrate other systems in the future as required.
GO for green
Sustainability was important in this project with the offices built to BREEAM standards. Benefact House features everything from electric car charging points to solar panels as well as Prolojik’s energy-saving lighting controls. In terms of future flexibility, this client will now be able to reconfigure space without having to rewire the building, which again means cost savings and less interruption to business as usual.
Project data box
Consultant Max Fordham
Main contractor Overbury
Electrical Contractor MCS
System used Plexus, Go
Size 60,000 sq/ft
Completion Jan 2021