Lighting at the new premises of Donaldsons College in Linlithgow includes Mineo direct/indirect luminaires and Concido recessed downlighters from Riegens Lighting to help create an educational environment that is sympathetic to all of the college's users.Donaldsons is one of seven Grant Aided Special Schools (GASS) supported by the Scottish Executive to provide education and care for pupils who are deaf or have speech and language difficulties. The new building has been designed to accommodate around 80 pupils, of which about 30 are resident during the week - along with teachers, care staff, and a range of specialist therapists. A key element in the design by architects J M Architects was that the building should be flexible enough to respond to changing roles and teaching practices in the future.
The services for the project were designed by consulting engineers K J Tait. "The new Donaldsons School is an iconic, bespoke designed building where the artificial lighting plays a major role in the finished building," explained the company's Neil Cockburn. "Riegens' luminaires were considered to be architecturally the best suited for the project and the company also offered a superior service," he added.
Mineo suspended direct/indirect luminaires were selected for classroom lighting on the basis of light output ratio, architectural appearance and reliability. The individually controllable upward light element provides a broad distribution of light which is ideal for creating a light and spacious learning environment in classrooms.
Riegens also supplied Concido recessed downlighters to the project, providing a discreet and efficient solution for lighting in circulation areas. Concido fittings are easy to install and are available with a wide range of decorative and technical attachments.
