The Coed-y-Garn School in Blaenau, Gwent, is one of Wales' latest primary schools, constructed as part of the Government's huge investment drive in education at all levels. This sparkling new primary has been equipped with a state-of-the art lighting scheme, designed and supplied by Concord:marlin, in conjunction with the design and build team. In addition to meeting all the relevant lighting standards and Building Regulations energy targets, the scheme offers a bright, flexible, easy-to-maintain installation, which will underline the school's educational objectives for years to come.One of the scheme's boldest, most forward-looking aspects was the adoption of the innovative Kometa 600 luminaire to provide most of the classroom lighting – a total of 161 fittings in all. This effective solution offers even illumination of the working plane, walls and ceilings from a single luminaire.
The other main light fixture employed extensively throughout the building is the Concord:marlin Cassini wall or ceiling luminaire, which offers an interesting halo effect, in addition to its direct lighting component. Some 146 fittings were installed in the corridors and computer rooms.
The exterior of the building was not neglected either. Decorative colour details around the entrance are provided by 16 blue Mini-Zip LED direct burial marker lights – while 40 Sterling bulkhead fittings light up the perimeter walkways and play areas adjacent to the building.
Energy efficiency was a prime consideration and to this end, infra-red occupancy sensors were specified throughout the scheme. However, the over-riding motive behind the design was to specify the optimum luminaire for the space in question, while at the same time limiting the number of lamp types, to minimise later maintenance problems. In fact, only seven different types of fluorescent lamp (including circular T5, TCT-TE, 2D and T8) are used in the entire scheme.
