Founded in 1904, St Paul’s Girls’ School in Hammersmith, London, is a highly respected public school for girls aged 11 to 18. Known for its excellence in education, the school has continually invested in maintaining and upgrading its facilities.
In 2023, Push The Button (PTB) was invited to enhance the production lighting in the school’s Great Hall. Following the success of this project, PTB was approached again in 2024 to overhaul the emergency lighting system and improve the dimming performance of the chandelier and under-balcony fittings.
Emergency Lighting
PTB identified the need for self-contained (battery-powered) emergency lighting fittings and exit signs. To ensure the new fixtures blended with the hall’s aesthetics, PTB collaborated with Phillip Payne, manufacturers of emergency lighting, to provide fittings in an antique brass metal finish.
The Great Hall features three prominent chandeliers. PTB seized the opportunity to integrate concealed emergency lighting within these chandeliers. The new system includes basic testing functionality via a standard test key, ensuring both functionality and discreet integration.
Improved Dimming
The school had noted issues with the dimming performance of the existing lighting under the balconies and in the chandeliers. PTB addressed these concerns by removing the fluorescent lighting from beneath the balconies and replacing it with LED lamps paired with LED-friendly dimmers.
For the chandeliers, PTB installed Tridonic drivers to enhance dimming performance, ensuring smoother and more reliable operation. The new drivers are fitted inside the chandeliers using vented enclosures, replacing the previously visible sealed units that were getting hot.
Project Delivery
This project was efficiently delivered on time and within budget during the school’s break between the spring and summer terms, ensuring no disruption to the school’s activities.
PTB’s work at St Paul’s Girls’ School exemplifies how modern lighting solutions can enhance historic spaces, providing both functionality and aesthetic appeal.