EMA | Quickly connecting with technical partners

TRILUX develops, produces and supplies the lighting for the new home of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in Amsterdam. Specializing in DBM assignments like this, TRILUX thinks along from the design phase in high-quality, low-maintenance lighting solutions.

"Special about the EMA building is the short development and realization time," says Senior Account Manager Martin Hilbrands of TRILUX. "Within two months after Bouwcombinatie EMA was awarded the contract, we had to come up with a design. The construction combination held so-called scrum sessions to realize this in the short design time."

Scrum sessions
During the scrum sessions, all parties involved were identified as partners. They were then put together, per component or theme, to come up with concrete plans and designs. Hilbrands: "In the first weeks we took part in several scrum sessions about the integration of the techniques. Together with the installers and structural engineer we determined the locations of the cable ducts and air ducts, among other things. The great thing about these sessions is that you sit down at the table with all the professionals involved. We had one common goal: to ensure that construction could start after three months. By working together transparently and quickly, we succeeded."

BREEAM 'Outstanding'
TRILUX produces the LED lighting for the entire building: the office areas, meeting venues, conference space, restaurant, coffee lounges and general areas. "The lighting meets European regulations and the requirements of BREEAM 'Outstanding,'" Hilbrands says. "We therefore apply daylight and presence control. This, combined with the right efficiency and quality of the LEDs and drivers, ensures an extremely long lifespan. In collaboration with the architect and EMA's engineers, we drew up our lighting design in accordance with the international standard EN-12464. Naturally, all luminaires are digitally dimmable and are centrally controlled."

Technical and decorative
The fixtures supplied by TRILUX can be divided into technical fixtures and decorative lighting. Hilbrands explains: "Under technical luminaires we mean the built-in lighting in the toilets, offices, conference rooms and meeting rooms, among others. Here we basically apply standard products, such as downlights and fixtures that are built into the climate ceilings. We deliver a quality product where we can guarantee a longer lifespan on specific customer wishes. In some areas of the building, even more of the lighting is required. For example, in the conference room, which is used at least twelve hours a day. There we have installed luminaires with an extremely long service life." The decorative lighting involves "standard" design lighting, plus a number of custom fixtures that TRILUX manufactures itself. Hilbrands: "For the restaurant, for example, we produce pendant luminaires designed by the architect."

Highlighting green wall
"A specific challenge in this project is the central green wall," Hilbrands emphasizes. "This green wall, which extends over sixteen floors, features various types of plants and they demand natural light during a natural cycle. Standard fixtures are used here with specific 'growth LEDs.' In addition to beautifully illuminating the green wall, these fixtures simulate the day and night rhythm with a special light control system." 

Proud
With production and delivery still in full swing, Hilbrands is pleased with the progress of the project, "EMA is a wonderful project that is being handled professionally. We are proud that we received the trust from the construction consortium to carry out this assignment. This trust, plus the great amount of know-how among all parties, is reflected in the quality of the building."