On the waterfront
The Art Deco Thames Eyot flats occupy an enviable position on the banks of the River Thames in Twickenham, on the outskirts of London, and the block has an interesting history. The flats date from 1935 and were built on the site of Poulett Lodge, an eighteenth-century mansion that replaced an earlier house that burnt down in 1734.
Poulett Lodge was demolished in 1933 to make way for the new block but the former coach house and stables survive and the beautiful riverside gardens, which also date from the 1700s, still remain.
The main ornamental feature is a beautiful riverside lawn boasting 160m of river frontage. The gardens also feature a stone loggia, thought to date from the eighteenth century, as well as a small square grotto with a barrel-vaulted roof, decorated with shell work and blue slag. For residents who want to make the most of their waterside location, there is a boathouse with a wet dock, thought to date from the nineteenth century.
Brief
Following on from a full redecoration programme, Sweeting Property Management (who are responsible for maintaining and managing the flats) asked Future Lighting to carry out a site survey to assess the need for a lighting upgrade. The Future Lighting team was delighted to be asked to be a part of the refurbishment project at this luxurious and historic property.
Problem areas identified were:
- High wattage lighting with associated high running costs
- Ongoing high maintenance costs
- Failed and insufficient emergency lighting
- Lights on 24/7
The main staircases and lobby floors used obsolete switch-start compact fluorescent bulkhead lights with fittings, backplates and diffusers that were no longer fit for purpose. The lights were 10-15 years old and had been constantly repaired. In addition, they were being used as emergency lighting which had now failed all tests and needed replacing.
Challenges included:
- Producing a comprehensive overhaul and redesign of all lighting systems
- Designing an energy-efficient lighting scheme that would not detract from the historic character of the block
- Utilisation of the existing wiring to prevent major cosmetic damage
The Future Lighting Solution:
Future Lighting agreed to replace all compact 35W fluorescent fittings with new 14W LEDs with integral occupancy and light level detectors which will switch on only at dusk and when the building is occupied. The new fittings house dimming ballasts so, during unoccupied periods, the lights run at 10% (1.4watts) providing an ambient light level. These areas alone are calculated to save residents a massive 75% minimum in wasted energy.
The staircases were rarely used, so refitting these areas alone saved energy costs and also eradicated all on-going maintenance issues; saving time and avoiding inconvenience and additional costs.
This included:
- The removal of all old-style, high wattage light fittings from all lobbies, stairs, reception and communal rooms throughout the building
- Replacement of all existing entrance lobby feature lighting for new low energy LED strips
- Replacement of staircase lighting for new LED bulkheads with integral occupancy detectors, preventing energy being wasted during unoccupied periods
- Replacement of all communal lobby area lights for new retro-fit LEDs
We designed, supplied and installed a new energy-efficient lighting solution to reduce energy use, ensure lighting is switched on during occupied periods only and eliminate the considerable on-going maintenance costs. In addition Future Lighting has given a five-year guarantee on the refurbishment and FREE on-going maintenance.
- Building Type: Residential
- Number of dwellings: 72
- Technology Used: LED & Controls
- Money Saved: £4500.00
- CO2 Saved (T): 12.25
- ROI: 35 months
