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BEM Services were contracted by TM Electrical Services, a reputable local electrical and mechanical installation contractor, regarding an exciting new park project in the city centre of Nottingham. The main contractor for this project was Willmott-Dixon, with Nottingham City Council being the primary client. This project presented a unique opportunity to contribute to a significant urban development initiative aimed at enhancing community spaces, more recently named the ‘green heart’.

Project Scope and Challenges

The project had already been designed to RIBA Stage 3 but required further development through RIBA Stage 5 and onward to completion.  The existing design, which was completed in 2D CAD, needed to be meticulously refined and coordinated to ensure that all M&E services for the park complied with the stringent standards set by Nottingham City Council. Time was a notable factor as the project timelines were exceptionally tight, and some of the equipment chosen by the client had very long delivery times, adding to the complexity of the project.

Design Objectives and Initial Steps

The primary aim of the design was to create a park with column lights, feature lighting, and a pond features that could be easily maintained by the council over the coming years.  Our first step was to create a detailed lighting simulation using DIALux software. This was crucial to verify that the light levels across the park met the high standards set by the client.  In addition to the comprehensive lighting design, our team was also responsible for designing a CCTV system and services for the park’s pond feature.

Collaboration and Coordination

The design handed over to us by the previous engineers was still at a very early stage. To ensure a seamless transition from design to implementation, we engaged in a series of approximately 10 meetings with all relevant parties involved in the project.  During these collaborative sessions, we explored and evaluated various lighting solutions that were both appropriate and approved by the client.  Our goal was to optimize the light levels to ensure safety and usability of the park during nighttime, while complying with the council’s maintenance standards.

Optimizing the Design

We worked closely with the lighting manufacturer to fine-tune the lighting layout, ensuring it would provide adequate illumination while being energy-efficient and easy to maintain.  Additionally, we collaborated with the landscape designer to account for potential reductions in light levels caused by the growth of neighbouring trees and plants.  This collaboration allowed us to create a realistic simulation of the park’s lighting environment once the vegetation had matured, ensuring long-term effectiveness of the lighting design.

Final Adjustments and Outcomes

In the final stages, we had to redo our lighting levels calculation and simulation using Lighting Reality software, as this was the software recognized and preferred by Nottingham City Council’s maintenance team, who were awarded the maintenance scheme.  This step was essential to ensure that the final design was fully compliant with council requirements and could be supported by their maintenance infrastructure.

The final design was not only meticulously detailed but also fully costed and supported by the installation contractors, ensuring that the project could proceed smoothly to completion.

If you require assistance with construction-level design or detailed lighting design for your project, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us directly. You can reach us via email at info@bem-services.co.uk or by calling 0115 7788227.  We look forward to the opportunity to assist you with your projects.