Client: Wates
Design Consultant: RPS Group
Electrical Contractor: SES Engineering Services  
Products: Pharos LED Bollard, Pilzeo LED, Albany LED 

Established in 1963, the University of York is the educational home of more than 17,000 students across multiple campuses. In 2015, to accommodate the university’s growing student body, Select Property Group began a redevelopment of an old convent in Lawrence Street. The St Joseph’s Convent buildings were originally designed by a local Roman Catholic architect, built between 1870 and 1875. The new complex is known as the Vita Student Village and the £130 million development now features 644 rooms, and state-of-the-art communal areas and grounds – situated across more than six acres of land. A key aspect of the campus regeneration was the incorporation of the sites original architecture into the new contemporary design. The site was officially opened in September 2017 in time for the new academic year.

A modern touch

The first site visit took place in April 2015, where Schréder UK met with consultants RPS to discuss the initial vision for the redevelopment. After an examination of the site and its lighting requirements, Schréder UK put together a detailed lighting design for the entire site – which featured a suite of its modern LED luminaires.

Select Property Group was looking for a modern energy-efficient lighting network for the new student village, but also sought to preserve the historic aesthetic of the site. As a result, Schréder UK’s proposal included traditionally designed lanterns powered by modern LED technology.

To meet the challenging lighting demands of this project, several different LED lanterns were used across the site to ensure light levels were always appropriate to the area. 25 Pharos bollards were installed along footpaths and walkways, providing effective mid-level illumination with minimal light spill. Schréder’s Pilzeo lanterns were chosen as the main functional lighting fixtures for the new campus; with 50 luminaires installed across the student village – fitted to both five and three metre columns – helping to improve lighting levels throughout the sites main access routes.

To complement the site’s historic architecture, three Albany LEDs were situated above key entranceways, while four Neos floodlights illuminated facades across the campus. In-ground uplighters were used to light tree canopies, creating an inviting atmosphere for students to relax in. LED lighting schemes offer improved lighting levels and light distribution, as well as a significant reduction in energy consumption. These core benefits were some of the main drivers for adopting a modern LED lighting network.

Brighter futures

Mark Stevenson, senior project engineer at SES Engineering Services commented: “The redevelopment of the Vita Student accommodation in York has been a significant and successful undertaking. Work began and was completed on schedule, with all the contractors and suppliers working in unison to provide the students with a modern campus environment capable of meeting their needs. Schréder UK produced a unique lighting design that was sympathetic to the history of the site and ensured students had well-lit, safe accommodation that they would have the confidence to use.”

Schréder UK has been involved in multiple lighting regeneration projects at universities across the UK. Peter Cottrell, business development manager at Schréder UK said: “Having worked with some of Britain’s most prestigious universities, we have the expertise to build LED lighting networks capable of meeting the specific requirements of educational institutions – providing effective, energy-efficient lighting for staff and students alike.”