Telephony in blue

Yellow cartoon birds, Maureen Lipman, alias Beattie, and Bob 'it's good to talk' Hoskins all conjure up images of British Telecom. But, no matter how successful they were at the time, these ad-gimics have dated, leaving BT looking a bit old and stuffy.

An injection of fresh style was needed and where better to start than the company's flagship building in the heart of London, the BT Tower.

The groundfloor of the tower and its surrounding offices is used as a corporate meeting and entertaining point and a centre for educating people on the operations of BT. This was the area earmarked for a major makeover. Amanda Winnock, of architects Diplock Partnership, says: "We looked at the existing space and it was like a big hospital corridor. It was horrible.

"BT gave us a very general brief. It wanted a space that was high class, modern, of an exclusive design and stylish. From this we created what you see." Diplock Partnership designed zoned areas including a reception and security area, cyber space, cyber cafe, auditorium, ante rooms and a time line exhibition. It enlisted the help of lighting designer Light & Design Associates and between them they have produced a space that, in the words of Light & Design Associates partner Lee Prince, "reflects BT's role as a world renowned and leading edge communications company. A space that is designed to alert people to the fact that BT is more than a telephone operator."

The result is stunning. The imaginative use of an awkward space and spectacular lighting effects give a really futuristic, sci-fi feel.

It hasn't all been plain sailing though. Neil Payne, qualifying manager with electrical contractor J M Nash, says: "Our contract was originally meant to stretch for 14 weeks but due to unforeseen problems on site we only had eight weeks to complete it in the end." Nash has had to survey the existing electrical installation, strip out and make safe redundant services, then install a power distribution system, lighting, accessories etc throughout the project.

The switchboard is located on the floor below the works area. Sub-main cabling to the sub-main distribution board is xple/swa/lsf 185 mm² four core with copper conductors. The sub-main distribution board is a form 4 type 5 unit with a fused 400 A switch on the incoming side and three 200 A fused switches for the outgoing supplies. For final distribution of power the project is split into two areas, the auditorium and non-auditorium. Each area has its own 125 A tp&n 12-way final distribution board with 35 mm² xple/swa/lsf cabling to it. Nash has had to be especially careful when routing cables because BT has stipulated that no power cabling can be situated within 300 mm of any telecoms or data cabling.

Payne says: "We have all worked hard and learned something from the job because BT is so thorough."

Illumination plays an pivotal role in the scheme design. The auditorium is lit using a variety of luminaires including surface mounted indirect feature fittings with double AR1100 lamps. Attached to the dimming system, these can illuminate the area, or be dimmed low to merely indicate a presence and allow speakers from the stage to gauge the size of the auditorium.

Leading from the new reception area to the cyberspaces is a glass bridge. This has a modulated light effect running underneath it. Linear fluorescent luminaires with electronic control gear, T5 lamps and coloured filters are controlled via a special circuit/sequencing arrangement that allows bleed and cross fade between the lamps. Prince explains: "The bridge illumination provides a kinetic lighting feature. As the first lamp illuminates from nothing to its maximum and then begins to dim again the second lamp comes on and does the same. This sequence is repeated creating apparent movement, a Mexican wave effect, under the glass walkway of the bridge."

The most striking illumination, and one that is immediately apparent upon entering the building, is the eerie blue half-light that draws you into the cyberspaces from the reception. Here, hanging from the ceiling in a circular formation around the huge base of the tower are bespoke luminaires which have been designed by Light & Design Associates and manufactured by Custom Light.

Not yet available to buy and with details of its manufacture still under wraps, the luminaire, named K2, is a single-ended linear light source with electronic control. The lamp is of a new type which simulates neon or cold cathode light. The blue light bounces off the curved white walls and the luminaires themselves are reflected in the black marble floor. It looks and feels as if you are walking into a different dimension.

Lighting is controlled from two racks, one for the auditorium and one for other areas. These are linked via a hardwired coupling, so that each can be controlled from the other. Programming points are also dotted around the public areas so that effects can be created on the spot, instead of remotely.

BT has definitely taken the millennial bull by the horns with this refurbishment and image revamp. Cool lines and high-tech installations take the company into the 21st and even the 22nd Century.

Thankfully Buzby, Beattie and Bob are nowhere to be seen. Watch out, though: ET may be lurking in the cybercafe, disguised as a small girl.