Building services managers have recently specified Actulite polarised daylight lighting at the Leicester Mercury newspaper office in Leicester.In 2006 the Leicester Mercury office was in the midst of a major exterior refurbishment. This meant that for six months staff were cocooned inside a temporary screen whilst cladding and new windows were installed. This gave the newspaper an unusual staff morale problem; namely, the lack of daylight.
The Mercury's building services manager, Carl Prickett, remembered a discussion he once had regarding Actulite daylight lighting. Carl had indeed successfully trialled the lighting in his own office. He suggested that the Actulite lighting was installed along the line of the screens covering up the windows to give an impression of daylight where natural light would normally have been.
The Actulite polarised lighting emits a quality of light virtually identical to that of natural daylight. This is achieved through the combined use of the patented Actulite multi-layered light polarising panel, high frequency control gear and specially manufactured triphosphor full spectrum fluorescent tubes.
The suggestion worked, and was well received by the newspaper's staff. Since the refurbishment work was completed, further areas of the building have had Actulite daylight lighting installed with every intention of still further additions going forward.
Carl Prickett commented, "We were very impressed with the quality of light which is very close to natural light. Aura Corporation Ltd was extremely helpful in supplying samples and making sure that luminaires were made and delivered on time to coincide with our requirements."
