Case Studies

M&E Design Study

Lighting Design

Earls Court London Underground Station – Lighting Design Awards Entry - Fifth Dimension Associates Ltd. with Giffen Group PLC

This seemingly straightforward lighting scheme was particularly challenging as a range of constraints were imposed. The project was centred around the refurbishment of the District Line train-shed roof, a listed Victorian steel framed glazed structure covering the four sub-surface platforms.

Fifth Dimension Associates Ltd. worked closely with electrical contractor Giffen Group to develop an effective design which met the client brief and could be installed within the limited night-time working hours permitted by London Underground.

The first stage of the project involved the installation of temporary lighting in order that the station could remain operational whilst the scaffolding for the roof repairs was in place. Once repairs were substantially complete, the new lighting was installed above the protection decking ready to be brought into use as the decking was removed.

Giffen engineers were very much a part of the design team since they had to keep the station safe for public use throughout the works and maintain the temporary lighting installation, as well as installing the new equipment in difficult conditions. The partnership approach adopted by Giffen and Fifth Dimension ensured that the various stages of work progressed smoothly.

Also relit as part of this scheme was the high-level walkway which links the Earls Court Road and Warwick Road entrance of the station above the District Line platforms. This walkway also serves the Step-Free Access lifts to the District Line. A continuous fluorescent system was used in this area suspended on steel wires for minimum visual intrusion.

The limitations were:

• Station listed – Grade 2. All equipment had to meet Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) conservation requirements
• Main luminaire positions were limited to those where previous fittings were suspended
• Cable management had to be as discreet as possible
• The client (Metronet Rail) had a strict approvals process which severely limited the choice of equipment
• Since HID lighting was necessary to provide adequate platform illuminance, an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) had to be installed to ensure proper operation of emergency lighting
• Limited power capacity was available so over-lighting was not an option. Since the station enjoys very good daylighting, which has been greatly enhanced by the refurbishment of the roof, daylight linking controls were needed

The challenges were overcome by:

• Regular liaison with RBKC conservation team
• Selection of luminaires with high photometric performance
• Careful detailing of fixings and cable management
• Use of “white light” replacing the previous high-pressure sodium scheme
• First ever complete design using lower platform illuminance values permitted by the new London Underground standard, with higher uniformity
• Close dialogue with luminaire manufacturers (Holophane and LB Lighting) to ensure necessary approvals from Metronet Rail
• Photo-cell controls installed including fail-safe system on emergency lighting to control energy usage. In order to provide background lighting during lamp run-up, auxiliary Tungsten Halogen lamps were provided in the HID luminaires

The project was completed on programme and within budget.

Back to M & E Design