
The flexible office - Long-term investment for property owners
As a property owner, meeting the needs of tenants while creating sustainable and smooth management is often a complex equation. With Control Track Versa, new and sustainable opportunities are created to streamline the process and offer good lighting for tenants.
Petter Berg works with pre-sales for extensive property projects at Fagerhult in Oslo. Discussions with customers and more prominent property owners often revolve around the problem of meeting multiple interests both during the construction process and after the tenants have moved in.
“The interests of the various actors often clash at the expense of the lighting quality. And then no one is delighted with either the process or the result,” says Petter Berg, Lighting Adviser Manager at Fagerhult.
“The interests of the various actors often clash at the expense of the lighting quality. And then no one is delighted with either the process or the result” Petter Berg, Lighting Adviser Manager at Fagerhult
Petter Berg has closely observed the development of Control Track Versa and sees future opportunities for property owners. Not least, those who work actively with reuse and sustainability and want to create attractive environments for existing and future tenants can quickly achieve profitability in larger projects.
“Being able to offer tenants good lighting without replacing the entire system every time someone moves is a huge sustainability advantage as a property owner. With Control Track Versa, each luminaire can be reused throughout its entire life cycle. In addition, the track itself can take on a new shape if the office changes design.”
Property owners can benefit from the advantages of Control Track Versa during construction. The track can be installed earlier during construction and is completely independent of the future furnishings and the tenant’s choice of luminaires.
“The fact that the installation can be done in principle at any time and is not dependent on the premises being cleaned of construction dust or that it takes place just before the property is completed makes a big difference. It is an ingenious way to buy time,” says Petter Berg.
In parallel, installations can be made in fixed areas such as corridors, elevators, toilets, and public places that are not affected by the tenants’ choices. With fewer installation points, installation is also faster and easier.
“The track has a flexible 230V system, so there is no need for cable ladders or extra wiring. Therefore, Control Track Versa is also very suitable for open ceilings. Since it is completely independent, the system is also future-proof. Each luminaire can be supplemented with a sensor for smart lighting control.”
According to Petter Berg, Control Track Versa bridges the gap between electrical consultants and interior designers. He clearly sees that the track can be very useful in larger construction projects where many parts need to fit together.
“When we work together, it often turns out very well. It is clear that a party is needed that connects the developer, electrical consultant and interior designer, and that is where Control Track Versa is now becoming an important party for us at Fagerhult.”
TEXT LINDA KARLSSON
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Fagerhult launches Control Track Versa – and adds new, sustainable light to office venues
With the launch of the modular and suspended lighting system Control Track Versa, Fagerhult opens up new lighting possibilities in offices and workspaces — for both property owners and their tenants.The new dual track combines indirect and direct, and the VIL luminaire enables 300 lux at the ceiling with just uplight. As each luminaire has its own driver, unlike a 48V system, there is no need for new calculations regarding capacity and planning when rearranging or moving luminaires. “Property owners can easily create their own lighting infrastructure and offer tenants a whole new level of freedom of choice and flexibility. The rail system has been developed with a full focus on the offices and flexible workplaces of the future in mind. We have strived for versatility and forward thinking – and new, circular opportunities for the flexible offices and workplaces of the future,” says Peter Robertsson, Product Manager, Fagerhult. Each luminaire can be easily combined and arranged along the track, and the lighting design can be updated when tenants move in – or want to change the interior or overall aesthetics of the office. “The ease of moving the luminaires along the track means that all products can be used throughout their life cycle. This flexibility also brings a new creative height to architects and lighting designers,” says Peter Robertsson. No matter the ceiling’s height or characteristics, Control Track Versa enables coherent architectural aesthetics and highest lighting quality. With fewer points of installation, the system is easy to install. “Control Track is a long-term investment for any sustainable and forward-looking project. Based on a 230V system, you can add control systems such as Organic Response to lower energy consumption and add extra lighting comfort,” says Peter Robertsson. VIL is a luminaire developed specifically for the dual Control Track. It enables 300 lux and an even and seamless uplight, good lighting comfort and a variety of lumen output options and light temperatures. To add another level of flexibility and simplicity to Control Track Versa, Fagerhult have extended the range with products as Pleiad G4 128 Track, Zkye 55 G2 Zoom Spotlight, Notor 65 Track, and Notor 36 Track with integrated Organic Response sensor.
The office of the future — A place of change
Lighting offices has long been quite simple. Go-to solutions with 60x60 tiles, proven calculations, and an even and general light result. The advantage is that everyone can move around and sit anywhere—with the result that the light is not good for anyone. As the way we design and use the office changes, new needs arise regarding lighting. The office is a place for work, meetings, collaboration, and creativity. It follows the development of the business and changes among employees. At the same time, the general work environment in Sweden is regulated by the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s recommendations, and lighting is often designed according to established patterns. Henrik Clausen heads the Fagerhult Lighting Academy and believes that both businesses and employees feel good if the office is a pleasant environment—and that lighting contributes to this. The right light also affects many, but despite that, people often take the easy way out to achieve the work environment requirements. “I’m not saying that 60x60 tiles are bad. But they’re not good either, as the premises get the atmosphere of a rainy day. With well-thought-out flows and the proper lighting, we can create a light environment that resembles daylight and varies between the different parts of the office, and then we feel better,” - says Henrik Clausen. Quote Henrik Clausen But before an office is ready for occupancy, many parts need to fall into place, and lighting is one of them. Lisa Sandvik is a project manager at Tenant & Partner in Gothenburg and works with value-creating and sustainable property development with a focus on offices: “When we changed offices and got good lighting, it became clear how much it adds to the work environment. Nowadays, together with the architects, we like to raise the lighting issue with property owners at a much earlier stage and try to challenge them more.” says Lisa Sandvik. Flexible office bildcollage artikel 1 FAGERHULT PRODUCTION OFFICE At the same time, property owners are often far along in their design, and their processes around procurement and planning are in charge. If the costs are too high, they often settle for changing the lighting in one zone or a couple of rooms. “We have far too little knowledge about light, which is strange when we need it so much. Employees and individuals, as well as property owners, know very little about how light and contrasts affect us in everyday life – and not least in the workplace. Here, we need to learn more together and become better at finding the correct arguments and the right products to present to property owners,” says Lisa Sandvik. Quote Lisa Sandvik All projects involving offices are based on the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s recommendations and directives. But it is often difficult to demonstrate the value of good light. “Partners like us and the architects can convey more clearly to tenants what effects good lighting can have. At the same time, I would like to see property owners take a step forward in wanting to deliver prosperous and well-functioning workplaces. We need to learn more about light in Scandinavia. We have it both with us and against us,” says Lisa Sandvik. A trend that Tenant & Partner see today is that larger employers are advocating for employees to be in the office for a larger part of the workweek. Surveys show that people want to be able to work undisturbed and focused. “We see an increased need for focus rooms and quiet workplaces with good technology and the right ergonomics. Shared spaces are, of course, still needed, but above all, you want to be able to work focused and undisturbed in the same way you can do at home. The office, therefore, needs to be an environment where our employees feel comfortable, feel good, and are productive, and lighting is an important factor there,” concludes Lisa Sandvik.