TROX UK has successfully overcome a series of challenges to design and manufacture the best value and highest quality integrated air conditioning and lighting scheme for Land Securities office complex at Cardinal Place, London to win a £750K contract.

TROX was faced with the problem of combining the air conditioning and lighting into the 7000 integrated service modules (ISM) to be installed in the two office buildings without compromising the quality of the occupants' comfort or the light output.

When cold air is blown from a slot diffuser across a light fitting, the air cools the lamp, reducing its light output. Ideally all the air should be blown away from the light fitting. However doing so on this particular project would have created an air distribution problem, resulting in the room temperature becoming uncomfortable.

To achieve an optimum air distribution pattern both for the occupants and the light fitting, an adjustable diffuser was used incorporating a multi-directional air deflection cylinder. This allowed jets of air to be directed at an angle of 45º downwards to the centre of the unit.

TROX worked closely with lamp supplier, Thorn Lighting, to optimise the light and airflow rate from the diffusers to minimise their impact on the lights. It also adapted its VSD high induction slot diffusers to incorporate adjustable blades, and redesigned the air control cylinder to achieve the airflow flexibility required for this application. Cooling onto the rear of the light was also minimised by using a thermal acoustic jacket.