The Medical Protection Society (MPS) has recently overhauled its head office in response to changing office attendance patterns, making it more suitable for modern working life.
MPS occupied a 70,000ft square office at Victoria House in Leeds. As hybrid working has continued post-COVID, some of the space was underused on a daily basis. Workplace transformation specialists TSK Group were appointed to re-evaluate the special needs of the business.
P&A Projects were appointed to the project by TSK to supply and design bespoke lighting features for the open circulation, reception and office breakout areas. The brief also included lighting for the meeting rooms and canteen spaces. The P&A Projects team also provided sample lighting calculations for the areas to ensure they met lighting guidelines.
In the meeting rooms, P&A Projects has supplied bespoke lengths of their Subspace 70 architectural linear luminaires. The bespoke lengths were designed to fit within the acoustic ceiling rafts; providing general lighting in compliance with guidelines. In some of the meeting rooms, five suspended Sabre 2000mm pendants have also been fitted.
To illuminate the main canteen and breakout space, 14 Suspended Subspace 50’s have been installed, designed to imitate a grid ceiling. P&A Projects specifically supplied a lighting calculation for this area, to ensure the design provides general lighting in accordance with guidelines.
Elsewhere in the breakout and casual meeting areas, P&A Projects supplied two bespoke recessed versions of the Subspace 50. This has been installed in a similar style to a goal post, travelling vertically up the wall, along the ceiling and back down the opposite side. The dimensions are 6223mm x 2700mm.
In the same area, a bespoke twin rail biophilic planter feature in gold has been created. This comprises six planters and 6 glass pendants, mounted within a suspended twin curved rail pendant. A suspended POLO 90mm biophilic pendant, complete with plants and a neon 360° LED rope pendant, has also been fitted. Elsewhere, 3 bespoke biophilic oval pendants – 2000mm x 1200mm – complete with hanging plants, bring greenery and nature into the space.
Completing the biophilic design, three suspended POLO 900mm have been partnered with an acoustic moss infill.
Grant Dean, Lead Designer at TSK said: “Lighting played a huge role in this project. Every area has feature ceilings with integrated lighting. From up-lighting and wall lighting to suspended and under-counter lighting, every detail was considered. Even the planters and cupboards have illuminated elements.
“As designers, we don’t often get to indulge in this level of detail, which made this project truly special. The lighting is also fully controllable, with pre-programmed settings in meeting rooms, ranging from bright to moody and atmospheric. This flexibility was essential, particularly in supporting neurodiverse needs.”
Sustainability has been embedded throughout the project, from upgrading the building fabric with energy efficient glazing to removing outdated gas systems. These extensive changes have resulted in the building now holding an EPC Rating B and a BREEAM Excellent award.
Project credits:
Client: The TSK Group Limited
Electrical Contractor: Performance Electrical
Consultant: PJA
Photography: Mike Dinsdale