September 06, 2024

The Unusual HQ, Northamptonshire.

Project Summary:

Location: Northamptonshire
Sector: Office
Client: Unusual Rigging
Architect: Corstorphine & Wright
Main Contractor: Foxton Construction
Electrical Contractor: Front Five
Value: £45k
Duration: 4 months
Size:  9,600 sq. ft
Photography: Rachel Ferriman

The recently completed award winning project for Unusual Rigging in Bugbrooke is a testimony to the client's commitment to low carbon design. The  9,600 sq ft of  office space has already won the award for the “Best use of Timber clad system” at the Facade Awards UK 2024 and is currently shortlisted for upcoming edie Net Zero Awards in the “Green Building Project of the Year” category. Located on a 4- acres industrial site surrounded by a beautiful countryside, the scheme offers a superb location, space for expansion and high sustainability credentials.

 


Initial planning was drawn up by Walker Associate Architects and taken further by Corstorphine & Wright, the beautiful timber building was brought to life by Foxton Construction, proudly flying the flag for the circular economy design. 

Constructed with timber frame, the 2 storey office building is a truly remarkable project. Embracing a circular economy, the building is constructed from sustainable materials that can be dismantled at the end of its life . The ambitious project also takes the immediate surroundings into account, further reducing the environmental impact.

We have been brought to the project at a late stage with a request to bring quality office lighting after the project has been value engineered. Working closely with the architect, electrical contractor and main contractor, our team managed to deliver high quality office and architectural lighting, to suit client’s budget.

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Following the architect’s aesthetic vision and client’s need to reduce budget, we proposed new LED lighting and revised the existing lighting layouts for each floor. Our technical team put forward the  60 mm linear profile Rio Suspended direct as the main office lighting luminaire. Achieving all recommended light guidelines, whilst being energy efficient, and staying within a budget were absolute keys for this project.

Over 20 hours of lighting design, including emergency lighting design, were allocated to secure and support this project.

 

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Exterior lighting

Entering the building, the visitors are guided by the exterior recessed lighting lining both sides of walkway. The small round exterior fittings are IP66 rated Xena surface from Ledsc4 exterior range. 
Several trees have been lit by a circular exterior lighting Vercle from Ledsc4. With its indirect lighting, this architectural lighting is perfect for lighting up trees and vegetation. We also lit the exterior canopes with IP65 rated recessed downlights.

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THE DESIGN BRIEF.

The design brief for the Unusual HQ was driven by the desire to create a Net Zero building. All materials have been scrutinised by the design team to ensure high levels of energy efficiency have been achieved.

 

 


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We asked  the client: What was the most important criterium for their new lighting?

"Aligned with Circular Economy principles, our new HQ lighting was designed to meet strict criteria: low energy and exceptional CRI. Thanks to 299 Lighting's holistic approach, the result is outstanding."
Tom Harper, MD of Unusual Rigging

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Office lighting

 The 2 storey building is based on two rectangular wings connected by a central double-height atrium space flooded in daylight. The atrium space is lit by track spot lighting Suna track. The Suna is a popular choice for track lighting for its minimalist design which was a great match for this project.  It has been used throughout the entire building to keep the the look and feel consistent. The suspended track systems were used in the meeting rooms and office areas. 

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The internal layout of the building offers a combination of open-plan offices, private meeting rooms, and breakout spaces and a canteen/kitchen area.  In addition to the linear lighting, the space is lit by the tubular pendant Bellart Suspended. 

The private meeting rooms were lit with the eye catching linear pendant lighting Dune Suspended from Nexia. The Dune has ribbed finish and comes in beautiful earthy colours. Not only it offers high CRI and emits comfortable light, but it is a real statement piece.

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The scheme uses 4000K colour temperatures and high CRI throughout. All suspended led linear lighting was supplied in a contemporary matte white finish. All fittings are DALI- dimmable with PIR  and wireless lighting controls.

All types of emergency lighting were also supplied following closely the emergency lighting design. This included integrated emergency lighting for the main office space and back of the house areas, emergency exit signs and emergency bulkheads.

The lighting was delivered in time for the official opening in June  2024.  The final result is a forward thinking and contemporary award winning scheme flooded with daylight and designed with sustainability at its heart. 


Project in figures:

20+ Hours of Lighting Design

4 Months

8 Exterior Fittings to ligh Trees

Working on a project with exterior lighting?

We have delivered countless projects using exterior lighting. Talk to us to see how we can help.

Working on a project with exterior lighting?

We have delivered countless projects using exterior lighting. Talk to us to see how we can help.