An inspiring focal point for the Dacorum community
The challenge
Designed to change the landscape of Hemel Hempstead, the modern, multi-purpose Forum building provides a single point of access to a wide range of services for the local community, including a state-of-the-art library, Citizenship Advice Bureau and Dacorum Borough Council’s local offices.
Herts County Council have an ambition that all Hertfordshire libraries should be inspiring places. R G Carter set DW Windsor the challenge of developing an exterior lighting scheme which would uplift the architecture and establish The Forum as a focal point for the community.
Clients and partners
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Client
R G Carter
The solution
R G Carter had a clear idea of what they wanted to achieve with the lighting and utilised DW Windsor’s 3D lighting design services to visualise the scheme. After implementing a few trials, they decided on a solution using Fira Pro Max and Aesis 900.
Fira Pro Max 20 floodlights were selected for the under canopy downlighting and to highlight the Dacorum crest while Aesis 900 linear surface mounted luminaires were used to wash the side walls. R G Carter opted for a 3000K warm white colour temperature to enrich the warm tones of the building material, making it appear more inviting and comfortable. Medium beam LED arrays were chosen to create the desired lighting effect on the building while limiting obtrusive light; putting the light exactly where it is required.
The choice of an LED light source keeps energy costs low; recently we were very proud that the 75,000-square foot building achieved the BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’ for sustainability. Solar panels power the entire building including the façade lighting, further reducing its environmental footprint.
" It’s great to see the work completed, the exterior lighting really brings the building to life in a subtle and unobtrusive way "
Matt Slater, Quantity Surveyor for R G Carter