Queens Crescent Library - Focus E / Dot Luminaire
June 2007

ECOPHON CEILING CASTS NEW LIGHT ON CAMDEN READERS

Procuring integrated packages of products is a recognised method of reducing risk on construction contracts. This approach can be of particular value on short term refurbishment projects such as the one undertaken at the Queens Crescent Library in the London Borough of Camden. Hunter Melsom contractors undertook the supply and installation of the new suspended ceilings on behalf of the main contractor, Quinn London. The company supplied not only the high performance Focus E ceilings and grids but also the Inversa up-lighters and Dot down-lighters, together with a series of ancillary fittings/products, ensuring the completed installation provided an attractive and low maintenance finished soffit.

The London Borough of Camden’s Corporate Property department has been involved in a series of library refurbishments, ranging in value from £200,000 up to £2 million, and to assist in the design for the Queens Crescent Library visited Finsbury’s central library to see the Inversa fittings used in combination with an Ecophon ceiling.

Working with Ecophon, the London Borough of Camden’s Corporate Property Department developed a scheme for the Queens Crescent library which featured Ecophon’s coffers and which also offered the acoustic performance from the tiles that were required for the library. However, extensive drainage runs in the ceiling void from housing units above required an alternative solution to the coffers, and in the end Ecophon’s DOT light fitting with its attractive circular form was selected for the majority of the ceilings, with Inversa chosen for the IT suite.

When the refurbishment scheme was completed, the library provided four separate focus areas within the basic L-shaped internal space, including a children’s area and the main lending library.

The contract involved a rapid, six week shut down of the library building. “The original ceiling had already been stripped out by the main contactor and we went on to install Focus E24 plus the Inversa and DOT light fittings. The installation went comparatively smoothly and the finished effect, with the luminaires, makes for a far better interior environment,” said a spokesperson for Hunter Melsom.

Terry Gallagher, Building Surveyor for the London Borough of Camden’s corporate Property Department comments: “The choice of light fittings is excellent and the combination of Ecophon products has helped us to achieve exactly the desired effect.“