University of Canterbury

Innovative lighting for a dynamic educational space

The University of Canterbury (UC) in Christchurch, New Zealand was founded in 1873. Today, UC is one of the best in the world and offers Bachelor and Master degree programmes in more than 70 subjects, from business administration to zoology. About 12,000 students have enrolled, and each year more than 3,000 graduates obtain their degrees here. The five integrated colleges include the "College of Engineering", which was extensively renovated in 2017 by the architects Warren and Mahoney.

The project "Canterbury Engineering the Future" included a comprehensive modernisation of existing technical systems as well as the creation of a new centralised atrium. The objective was to create a dynamic, 21st century learning environment to attract the best academics in the profession and to qualify graduates to lead the engineering world of the future. This internal atrium acts as the "core" between the existing technical departments as a multi-functional platform for academic and student life.

Innovation is omnipresent here. This is also reflected in the lighting of the high room. With the help of the aesthetic highbay luminaire Ralite Highbay II, the lighting designers from BECA Christchurch succeeded in creating a healthy interior space with the best teaching and studying opportunities, a substantial reduction in maintenance and operating costs as well as the exemplary minimisation of the environmental footprint of the faculties.