The refurbishment of the St Edmund Hall Old Dining Hall and fit out of rear servery – Completed 2020

This project involved the refurbishment of the colleges dining hall and servery. Working with Original Field of Architecture  and Richard Ward Oxford we delivered a new lighting solution replacing the old failing electrical wiring, including the general power and fire alarm system. The servery adjacent to the dining hall had a new fit out too.

The new lighting was fitted as specified and designed by Francesco Miniati Lighting Design. iGuzzini fittings were selected and installed at high level to illuminate art work within the dining hall,  The Sattler ‘Ring’ fitting provides a beautiful architectural and functional  aspect to the space.

The existing servery had a electrical panel board within it, supplying numerous parts of the college. As part of our works we were able to co-ordinate and programme a series of shutdowns to move the electrical supplies to a new panel board located just outside of the room. This allowed the room to be fitted out to its maximum potential.

Links –

https://www.seh.ox.ac.uk/news/old-dining-hall-refurbishment

Remodelling and refurbishment of residence – Completed 2020

Working with Stanhope Gate Architecture and West Hill Projects we carried out numerous electrical alterations to this fabulous residence in Berkshire. These consisted of –

• New feature lighting throughout, linked to the smart building controls
• Air-conditioning supplies
• A new increased electrical supply
• Additional socket and data outlets
• New external lighting
• New AV wiring and outlets throughout the building
• Complete fit out of the new security building
• New mechanical supplies
• Complete fit out of a new cinema room
• Full electrical inspection and conditioning report

Collaborating with the mechanical engineers,  joiners and decorators a superb solution and finish was achieved.

Library Refurbishment Project – Completed 2020

Working with Kingerlee Ltd, we carried out the installation of new distribution, power, access control, fire alarm and lighting including emergency, within the Department of Oriental Institute library,the refurbished works were located in the reception, research room and offices.

We used suspended luminaires supplied by Zumtobel lighting, complete with Hostwave Emergency lights, all controlled via a sensor control system from Ex-Or.

The architectural nature of the library meant we installed power coated containment to blend into its environment. The Distribution system was upgraded with new Distribution boards being installed complete with Rayleigh meters and Dehn Surge protection units.

New power installation was installed for the new layout complete with additional fire detection devices commissioned by Pyrotec services.

Salto door access equipment was installed and commissioned by Chris Lewis Security.

Now the library has been transformed into the ideal space for all users!  A reception area, divided away from the reading areas and glass walls creating an open plan feel but also providing quiet reading areas.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Acting as the main contractor on this phase of works, we have started on site having issued our Construction Phase Plan.

Site setup consisting of  protection to Cathedral artifacts, welfare facilities including hand sanitising stations and access equipment(scaffolding) has been carried out and works are underway.

We’re currently installing both FP200 and MICC (fire resistant) cable along the clerestory cable containment system, between the new LED light fittings final location’s in the Latin Chapel, North Aisle, Lady Chapel, South Transept, Central Tower and the power and control devices that are to be installed in a serviceable location.

Final designs of the Mike Stoane luminaires have been submitted  for approval to put into manufacture.

Principal Designer – Purcell

CDM Consultant – Andrew Alder Associates Ltd

Lighting Design – Sutton Vane Associates

Electrical Consultant – CBG

For one night only, some of Oxford’s most beautiful buildings were lit up like never before.

In association with the Society of Light and Lighting, the Night of Heritage Light 2017 celebrated the art and science of light – with fun, creative designs lighting up some of the city’s most iconic sites:

• Ashmolean Museum
• Museum of Natural History
• Museum of the History of Science
• Bodleian Library quad
• Radcliffe Camera
• Radcliffe Observatory
• Radcliffe Humanities.

Experts in the field of lighting put their designs on display to demonstrate the power of light. Combining their love of light and art, design teams used their skills to enhance the stunning architecture and light up the night-time environment.

Monard assisted each team with the building knowledge, temporary supplies and installation of the luminaires. All luminaires were required to be installed so as not to damage the building and be safe for the public to be in close proximity.

Monard has installed 250 metres of LED tape as part of a new, greener and more efficient lighting scheme for one of the UK’s most iconic university library buildings, The Radcliffe Camera in Oxford.

A striking circular Neoclassical circular landmark, the Grade I listed library was designed by James Gibbs, constructed between 1737 and 1748 to house the Radcliffe Science Library and funded from the estate of local doctor and wealthy man John Radcliffe, who died childless in 1714.

We were asked to work on the installation of a new lighting scheme for the library’s ground floor, replacing the old fluorescents. The design came from Rob Gregg with assistance from CBG Consultants. Together we assessed a series of potential products before deciding on Osram tape with warm-white LEDs and a colour temperature of 3000K, plus Concords Beacon Muse LED luminaires, and Zumtobel’s super system and emergency solution.

Now the ground floor library features a series of eight pedimented projections alternated with niches with the central floor, divided into bays by coupled Corinthian columns. There are pedimented windows around the mezzanine level ,and the roof is a lanterned dome set on an octagonal drum with a balustrade parapet.

The LED tape is positioned around the stone cornicing and the tops of the columns as well as along the edges of the ground floor balconies, also illuminating the domed ceilings in the process. As a result the light bounces back down into the reading spaces. We’ve also retro-fitted the tape into the listed desk reading lights, with 30 desks in each of the eight seating areas, each light approximately 400mm wide and good and bright for comfortable close-up reading. The end result is as attractive as it is energy-efficient. In fact the new lighting scheme has resulted in a dramatic 5-fold increase in the library’s Lux levels, and the running costs have plummeted.

The Ashmolean museum, at the University of Oxford, is the world’s oldest public museum and one of Europe’s most popular cultural tourist destinations. This is where you’ll find Oxford University’s legendary art and archaeology collection, visited by more than 850,000 people every year.

As you can imagine, the historic building needs constant care and attention to ensure it delivers the welcoming atmosphere the Ashmolean prides itself on, and meets the expectations of visitors. And this continuous refresh involves making sure essential lighting systems are man enough for the job.

The team at the museum has recently upgraded the lighting system in its gallery spaces and installed more than 1500 Concord Beacon Muse spotlights. When it came to redesigning the lighting scheme, the aesthetics and performance were equally important, as Harry Phythian-Adams, Executive Officer, Director’s Office at the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, explains.

“We required a solution that provided the same lit effect as halogen but also delivered a better uniformity of light whilst bringing the vibrant colours in the galleries to life. Concord was able to adapt the Beacon Muse to meet our needs perfectly: it changed the colour temperature of the spotlight to 2700K warm white with colour rendering index of typical 97 and also provided us with a customised white bezel to better suit our interior décor.”

The project was instigated by Robert Gregg from Oxford University. The Ashmolean team worked with Concord to design the fittings, which were installed by Monard Electrical and commissioned by Ben Acton at Hoare Lea Lighting.

We installed Concord Beacon Muse spotlights at a high level within the space, positioning them in a way that reveals the forms and details of the diverse collection to perfection. The spotlights feature warm, high colour rendering LED bulbs, with the beam angle adjusted according to the effect required for each exhibit. As Harry Phythian-Adams says, “The lit effect of the Concord Beacon Muse is great but we are also impressed with the energy savings we have seen. Due to the unique design of the product, in addition to the LED energy savings compared to the previous Halogen lights, less heat is emitted and we have been able to reduce our air conditioning usage and save on our energy costs.”

The Library at 10 Merton Street – Completed winter 2017

After a temporary let to the Blavatnik School of Government, University College took the Library at 10 Merton Street back into the fold.

Part of the works we undertook involved changing the of use of some of the rooms, so we updated the lighting in the ground floor corridors and offices. We also updated and installed architectural lighting in the entrance lobby and carried out an essential lighting and power upgrade to the main library, where we installed LED tape light, chandeliers and bespoke luminaires.

115 Banbury Road, Oxford – Completed summer 2018

When University College bought the building at 115 Banbury Road, part of the works we carried out for them involved installing essential safety systems. We handled the emergency lighting and fire alarms as well as upgrading the lighting throughout the premises.

After initially testing and proving the circuitry, we worked closely alongside Pyrotec to install the fire alarm system and make it visible from the main site lodge via a smartwatch system. We upgraded and altered all the lighting to take energy-efficient LED luminaires and, where required, fitted emergency lights. We also installed the wiring for CCTV and access control as part of the project.

Lighting Refurbishment Project – Completed 2014

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History houses precious scientific collections of zoological, entomological and geological specimens, widely known for its amazing displays of fossils and dinosaurs. Among its most famous features are the Oxfordshire dinosaurs, the dodo, and the swifts in the tower. The Museum itself is a Grade 1 listed building, renowned for its spectacular neo-Gothic architecture.

Monard was the main contractor for the main court's lighting refurbishment, responsible for a major upgrade of the existing perimeter lighting plus the installation of new architectural lighting for the newly-refurbished cast iron and glass roof.

We worked closely with Robert Gregg of University Estates Services and Zumtobel throughout the design process, as well as a joint project developing a system of unique bespoke magnetic mounts for fixing luminaries to the iron pillars, working closely with the Ashmolean Museum.

While the interior scaffolding was in place for work on the glass roof, the delicate cabling operation took place. Cables were sensitively placed so they wouldn’t interfere with the fabric of the building, while still providing enough power to illuminate the vast interior spaces.

Now the museum now has a state-of-the-art DALI lighting control system. It lets museum staff set different lighting according to the time of day, and for different events and exhibitions. The controls can be activated via mobile devices, making it effortless for staff to magically illuminate the museum at the swipe of a finger.

Photography: Redshift Photography

Praise for Monard’s work

Here’s what some of the people involved said about our involvement in the project.

“We could not have achieved this without the obvious commitment, passion and pride in the project displayed by the whole team, and I illustrate this with just one example – 4000 wiring terminations on the project and not a single, solitary loose connection or fault – extraordinary”

Robert Gregg, OUES Electrical Engineer

“I would like to express my gratitude for the professional way in which the Monard team managed and carried out this project. With Monard’s wealth of experience working in heritage environments, the team showed the sensitivity and awareness needed when working in a museum and a Grade 1 listed building.”

Professor Paul Smith, OUMNH Museum Director

“It was a pleasure to work with Monard in developing the innovative and creative lighting solution finally achieved in what is such a unique iconic building within Oxford. Working within a Grade 1 listed building with such a rich tapestry of history, has without doubt been an excellent experience and learning opportunity for all concerned. The final result would not have been possible if hadn’t been for the pride, passion and attention to detail shown by the entire Monard Team, hence the final result is second to none
and one for which they should all truly be proud”

Steve Downie LSC (Dipl.). Lighting Solutions Consultant, Zumtobel Lighting Limited

In the press

Check the project out in the press:

• CBGC
• Museums and Heritage
• Lux magazine