HomeTech Solatube, collaborating with ASC Architecture and Modus Design, created an innovative daylighting design for the building; illuminating both the banking chamber as well as the financial consultancy areas with pure, clear daylight.

Objective at Design Stage

Architects and designers had the unyielding vision of creating an energy efficient and sustainable working environment. Included in the brief was the idea to incorporate a controlled daylighting system which would harmonize with the high efficiency artificial lighting design and also compliment the interior aesthetics.

The daylighting design had the primary intention of displacing as much need for electric light as possible throughout the working day and year.

Solution

The project used a commercial Solatube Daylighting System, designed to provide an average illuminance of 500-600 lux to the banking chamber and financial consultancy areas incorporating an internal light filtering device which achieved balanced, clear, natural lighting to the internal zones free of glare, heat gain or temperature loss.

The electric lighting in the Bank is set up with photo sensor controls which automatically adjust the artificial light levels to minimum use when sufficient daylight is present.

Products Used

• 20 x 21” Solatube 330 DS SolaMaster Daylighting Systems with integrated security control. Installed in the main banking chamber and financial consultancy rooms.

• 2 x Solatube VS1000 Daylighting Systems with combined ventilation system to the male and female toilets.

Testimonial from National Bank Blockhouse Bay, Branch Manager:

"The Solatube Daylighting Systems have played a part in reducing our electricity consumption, and has reduced the need for other lighting in the Banking Chamber.

Our customers regularly comment on the ‘brightness’ of the branch in comparison to surrounding buildings and are often surprised to find out the ‘lights’ do not operate using electricity and are actually Solatube Daylighting Systems. They are unique in style and are so well designed that they provide sufficient lighting even on the cloudiest day of the year. This is exactly what New Zealand’s first Eco-Friendly National Bank Branch needed.”

Michael Henderson
Network Representation Manager
The National Bank of New Zealand