New Lighting & Controls Transform a Call Center Into a School
Renovating an existing building to a completely new type of use is certainly more complicated than new construction, but Bryan Wisniewski, LC, CEO & principal of Wizard Lighting Company in Michigan was up to the challenge. Wizard Lighting is a full-service agency covering the entire state, with offices in Metro Detroit and Downtown Grand Rapids. The company represents more than 95 manufacturers and offers a dedicated lighting controls group that provides design, troubleshooting, and local commissioning services.
For this project, Wizard Lighting partnered with Third Coast Electric to transform a 100,000-sq.-ft. facility in southeastern Michigan into a state-of-the-art trade school.
“We also worked directly with the architect on the lighting fixture selections – choosing products based on the architect’s rendering, price point, and availability – and collaborated with the electrical engineer on lighting controls,” Wisniewski remarked. “The electrical contractor was intimately involved from the beginning, which was extremely helpful and made the project run smoothly.”
When completed, the impressive new school building will feature event space, classrooms, and shop areas supported by lighting and wireless controls through Wizard Lighting to deliver efficiency, flexibility, and comfort.
According to Wisniewski, the client’s main priorities were speed, budget, and aesthetics.
Wizard Lighting performed an audit of the facility and ran lighting calculations to validate several application ideas. “I personally completed the wireless lighting control startup —my first time doing so,” Wisniewski commented, noting that Current’s NX app and live support made the task easy.
The timeline for the project left no room for error. “The fast pace required quick problem-solving. We had to adapt on the fly, identify faster lead-time solutions late in the design phase, and commission the lighting controls in a phased approach,” Wisniewski said.
“From renderings to real construction progress, it’s been incredible to watch the vision come to life. We can’t wait to see the finished result and the positive impact it will have for students and the community.”
Products Specified Included:
Current Lighting – wireless controls, troffers, high bays, strips & emergency
ConTech Lighting – downlights, track & cylinders
AFX Inc. – pendants & sconces
American Linear Lighting – suspended linear
