PwC in Belfast’s Merchant Square

Light as the protagonist

PwC, the multinational network of professional services firms operating in 158 countries to provide management and strategic consulting along with auditing, legal and taxation advice, has opened its new offices in Merchant Square, Belfast, in a building extending over 18,000 square metres and split across 9 floors, as a representation of the fusion of three fundamental values for the company: innovation, collaboration and culture. A place that seeks to be a source of inspiration for the business, to foster collaborations and support people in constructing a sustainable world.

The building, which is based on the union of three pre-existing structures, is characterised by several facets. The first is an impressive staircase that connects floors 4, 5 and 6, linking the restaurant on the 5th floor with the co-working and wellness areas. The overall space is organised in such a way that employees are free to move about and work in any environment, availing of smart storage with USB connectivity and other smart systems provided. Aesthetically, too, there are certain aspects that confer a unique character to the building. For example, the traditional mottos and sayings on the lifts, the theme of the gardens on the top floor, the finishes reminiscent of those of a boutique hotel, and even the typical industrial style of Belfast that pervades the entire complex and has been exalted through a specially-developed lighting project. Everything is designed to ensure that visitors – and the workers themselves – have a memorable experience.

It was Lightsource to have been selected by the Merchant Square design team to assess the lighting aspects and it was Lightsource who in turn chose the Linea Light Group solution of High Protection, the linear design element that fits in perfectly with the industrial style of the building. The luminaire was utilised for the RGBW lighting of a very large open-space area in the office zone. The installation of the product, as conceived by the Lightsource team, required customisation by the Treviso-based company, since the wiring and power cable routing would have been too difficult to manage otherwise. In addition, it was necessary to ensure a 360° emission for even diffusion. The solution devised by Linea Light Group saw the development of a feed-through technology for a 48 V system that would guarantee RGBW technology and 360° light emission. The system designed in this way made it possible to position the power supply unit at the front, making it easier to install and to maintain. The subsequent creation of a profile system with new optics then rendered it possible to emit the light at 360°.

Credits:

Architectural design: BDP

Lighting Project: Lightsource

Products: High protection in RGBW (custom tubes)

Year: 2021