Design Brief

The objective of this project is to design a new lighting system for an office floor to enhance the overall work environment, improve energy efficiency, and ensure compliance with current lighting standards. The design will consider the diverse needs of office workers, including visual comfort, productivity, and well-being. The lighting system will incorporate modern technology and design principles to create a flexible and adaptive lighting environment that can accommodate various tasks and work areas within the office.

Design Specification

Functional Elements:

Illumination Levels: The system will provide adequate lighting levels for different workspaces, including desks, meeting rooms, and common areas, ensuring that all areas meet or exceed the recommended lux levels for office environments.

Flexibility: The lighting system will be adaptable, allowing for adjustments in intensity and color temperature to suit different tasks and personal preferences.

Control: Integration of a smart control system for easy management, including scheduling, occupancy sensing, and daylight harvesting.

Performance Elements:

Energy Efficiency: The lighting design will prioritize energy-efficient solutions, such as LED fixtures, to minimize power consumption and reduce operational costs.

Longevity: The selected lighting fixtures and components will have a long lifespan, reducing the frequency of replacements and maintenance requirements.

Uniformity: The design will ensure uniform light distribution to avoid glare and shadows, creating a comfortable visual environment.

Environmental Features:

Sustainability: Use of eco-friendly materials and fixtures that are recyclable and have a minimal environmental impact.

Daylighting Integration: Maximizing the use of natural light through design elements such as windows and skylights, supplemented by artificial lighting when necessary.

Compliance with Standards: The lighting system will comply with relevant standards such as the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) standards, and local building codes.

Comparison with ACCESS-FM

Aesthetics:

Design: The lighting system will feature modern, sleek fixtures that complement the office’s interior design.

Similarities: Both approaches emphasize the importance of appearance and integration with the overall design.

Cost:

Design: Focus on cost-effective solutions without compromising quality.

Similarities: Budget considerations are crucial in both cases.

Differences: The design emphasizes long-term cost savings through energy efficiency and durability.

Customer:

Design: User-centric approach, considering employee comfort and productivity.

Similarities: Both focus on meeting user needs.

Differences: The design specifically targets the office environment.

Environment:

Design: Emphasis on sustainability and minimizing environmental impact.

Similarities: Both approaches consider environmental impact.

Differences: The design includes specific measures like daylight integration and use of eco-friendly materials.

Safety:

Design: Ensuring compliance with safety standards and providing adequate illumination for safe movement.

Similarities: Both prioritize user safety.

Size:

Design: Lighting system designed to fit the specific dimensions and layout of the office floor.

Similarities: Consideration of spatial constraints.

Differences: Tailored to the specific office layout rather than a generic approach.

Function:

Design: Multifunctional lighting capable of adapting to different tasks.

Similarities: Functionality is key in both cases.

Materials:

Design: Use of durable, high-quality materials suitable for an office environment.

Similarities: Importance of material quality.

Differences: Specific focus on materials that enhance sustainability.

Planning Techniques

Gantt Chart: A Gantt chart is a visual project management tool that displays the project schedule on a timeline. It shows the start and end dates of project tasks, their duration, and dependencies between tasks. Gantt charts are useful for tracking progress and ensuring that project milestones are met.

Critical Path Method (CPM): CPM is a project management technique used to identify the longest sequence of dependent tasks and the shortest possible project duration. By focusing on critical tasks, project managers can ensure that delays are avoided and the project stays on track.

Selection of Planning Technique: For this project, a Gantt chart is the most applicable planning technique. It provides a clear visual representation of the project timeline, making it easier to communicate the schedule with stakeholders and track the progress of various tasks.