Retail, hotel and catering lighting are usually seen as black sheep in the design world in terms of energy efficiency and consideration for the environment. Pressures to provide glitz and glamour to sell products and fast-track changes to overall fit-outs and styles of units frequently lead to environmental concerns taking a back seat. Most government statistics showing distribution and use of energy in different service sectors will generally back this up.

Whilst recent improvements in regulations relating to the energy performance of the built environment have put the energy agenda on the map, many designers could certainly be doing more to think creatively in terms of sustainability and to advise their clients of the obvious benefits.

Global restaurant chain Nandos has recently shown commitment to energy efficient lighting design at their new stand-alone restaurant in Leeds, UK.

The restaurant is located just off junction 27 of the M62 Motorway and is their first stand-alone eco restaurant in the UK.
The restaurant lighting design and control, which was designed by The Light Corporation in collaboration with Harrison Design Co, has been incorporated into the overall building services and energy strategy to create ‘a blueprint for an eco-aware solution’ for all Nandos outlets.
Tim Henderson, Director of The Light Corporation, commented: “The holistic view of the project allowed us to create a lighting design that utilised the natural light available, to use low energy efficient products throughout, and to provide a control system that merged the light sources to minimise power consumption.”

This eco-aware design solution utilises sensitively designed low energy lighting in combination with a clear control strategy together with the use of available natural light. It also allows for heat generated in its operation to be recycled as part of the overall thermal design of the building. This should enable the client to realise significant cost, energy and CO2 reductions. The energy required for the lighting load is 2kW, an 80% energy saving on similar Nandos restaurants, with matching cost savings.

Solar panels, light pipes, heat exchangers from the kitchen and waste are all harnessed to provide power, special attention has been paid to the lighting design, which uses LEDs, compact fluorescent and metal halide lamps with efficiencies greater than 45 lumens per watt.

Ambient light sensors linked to an astronomical time clock through a Mode Evolution control system manage the delivery. The result is light only being provided to both interior and exterior, when and where required, allowing for light to be managed progressively and efficiently as the venue loses natural light. The ambient light sensors are set to override the pre-set light settings to compensate for the natural light available on particularly bright or dull days.

Whilst the initial installation was more expensive than for conventional Nandos restaurants, the long-term benefits in terms of both running and replacement costs of equipment can be seen as extremely desirable to the client and for the environment. They can be seen as progressive and the way forward with a payback predicted to be only one and half years. Hopefully this kind of design thinking will inspire others to follow.

www.lightcorporation.com