Education

The Diocese of Paramatta, a prominent Catholic school system in Western Sydney educating over 43,000 students, faced the challenge of upgrading its diverse and inefficient fluorescent lighting infrastructure across 57 schools. Lowa Lighting, was engaged to address this complex undertaking.

Objectives

1. Energy Efficiency and Cost Reduction: Upgrading the outdated and energy-intensive fluorescent lighting to modern, energy-efficient solutions, resulting in significant reductions in electricity consumption and operational costs.

2. Standardization and Simplification: Streamlining the diverse range of lighting types across the school system to enhance maintenance efficiency and reduce complexity.

3. Improved Learning Environments: Implementing lighting solutions that create optimal learning environments for students, with consistent and appropriate illuminance levels and colour temperatures.

4. Minimized Disruption: Executing the lighting upgrades strategically to minimize disruption to school operations and ensure a smooth transition.

Methodology

Lowa Lighting's approach to this project was systematic and comprehensive, encompassing both assessment and implementation phases:

Assessment Phase:

1. Lighting Audit: A comprehensive audit of the existing lighting infrastructure across all 57 schools was conducted. This audit revealed a staggering diversity of 73 different lighting types and approximately 35,000 individual fittings. The audit assessed key parameters such as:

• Lighting Types: Identifying and cataloging the various types of fluorescent lighting in use, along with their associated energy consumption and performance characteristics.

• Illuminance Levels: Measuring light levels in classrooms, hallways, offices, and other areas to ensure compliance with recommended standards for educational facilities.

Implementation Phase:

1. Standardised Lighting Design: Lowa Lighting's design team developed standardised lighting specifications, consolidating the numerous lighting options to just six types. This streamlined approach ensured consistency in colour temperature, lux levels (illuminance), and      wattage across all schools.

2. Project management: Lowas project management worked with schools to deliver the light project over 2 schools holiday periods

3. Strategic Installation: To minimize disruption to school operations, the installation of the approved lighting design and fixtures was carefully planned and executed. Installations were scheduled      during school holidays and after-hours to avoid interfering with classes and other activities.