Westminster School
London

Client
Westminster School
Tristram Jones-Parry
HeadMaster
020 7963 1042

 

Lighting Designer
Ben Pearce-Higgins
020 7483 2253

 

Contractors
Maplewood Services
01942 842328
Powerite Electrical
01293 783193

 

Product used
46 x VMD300/12
20 x VMD400/12
4 x LTC
Helvar Ambient
24 dimming system
6 x LDD2500
(special mains dimmer)
6 x LCC
(contactor controllers)

Westminster School, one of the UK’s leading independent schools, elected to rejuvenate and upgrade the lighting in the Main Hall and the seven rooms of its library with a 100% state-of-the-art low-voltage system driven throughout by VoltMaster.

Photography Simon Wood

Brief
To eliminate the outmoded "institutional" feeling, chiefly by vastly improving lux levels throughout, whilst at the same time allowing for varied light levels for both multi-tasking in the Main Hall - which is used for sports, examinations and as a theatre - and for atmosphere and mood setting in the Library. Flexibility, modernisation and drama.

 

Challenges
Safety, practicality and discretion in a Heritage building, long cable runs up to 25 metres, planned maintenance. Installation only possible during school holidays.

 

Result
"We are delighted with the marvellous improvement that this new lighting brings to both areas", said Tristram Jones-Parry. "When the hall is used for examinations, light levels of 300 lux can now be achieved and the hand-held master control for the house lights, when the hall is used for theatrical productions, is an extremely valuable and easily managed addition."

 

Hugh Eveleigh, the school Librarian, echoes these thoughts: "Collectively, the seven rooms of the Library can now express themselves in an exciting way that simply didn't exist before. With the added advantage of the dimming facility, the rooms can be alternately zappy, atmospheric and creative. I believe all of these elements combine to make the Library much more desirable and inspirational."

 

"Planned maintenance is now possible, thanks to the stabilised voltage that VoltMaster provides, giving vastly increased lamp-life and thus keeping maintenance intervals further apart" added Ben Pearce-Higgins.

“Collectively, the seven rooms of the Library can now express themselves in an exciting way that simply didn’t exist before. With the added advantage of the dimming facility, the rooms can be alternately zappy, atmospheric and creative.”

Hugh Eveleigh
School Librarian