BSEE_July09_p23:Layout 1 17/6/09 10:54 Page 23
K N X U P D AT E
Making history future-proof
An award-winning project at a cutting-edge office development in the Isle of Man shows how integrated
building controls based on an open standard can benefit both the developer and tenants. Developer
Dandara Commercial and Hugh Logan Architects built new high-specification, open-plan offices behind
the shell of the historic Old Courthouse on Athol Street, Douglas, and along with the new building owners
Castano Limited took the early decision to use Jung building controls based on the KNX standard to
provide a flexible, adaptable and future proof building with abilities for increased energy saving.
T
he project, named “By installing Jung KNX at the and office equipment. This was ability to control HVAC and
installation of the year base fit-out stage we built in installed in the ceiling grid so lights. At the later tenant fit-out
by the KNX (UK) flexibility for the later tenant fit- that it would be available stage, tenants were also able to
Association, was out when tenants wanted to throughout the building as the decide how they wished to
designed by systems create new office layouts,” says office space was divided into control their lighting and HVAC
integrator Building Evolution. Nigel Stafford. “But it takes time smaller areas. The cabling uses in their newly created offices.
According to managing director for some tenants to acclimatise a simple system of clamp Here push buttons and
Nigel Stafford, KNX was chosen to a new building. Sometimes connectors that also allowed movement/presence detection
because it is an open standard they want to make changes after the plug and play installation of controls were also added for
and for the full functionality that they have been in for a while, the lighting controllers. These specific lighting and heating
it offers. especially when they realise have switched mode power requirements. In some cases
what the system can actually supplies that eliminate heavy tenants chose to include two-
The project do. All we have to do is add any transformers, reducing power channel presence detection for
The Old Courthouse is a extra device if required onto the consumption and heat. lighting and HVAC that switches
registered (listed) building built bus cable, followed by a quick Between floors, Jung KNX/IP HVAC from the comfort setpoint
in 1841 but its steel and glass bit of reprogramming and it’s Routers were used to convert to energy-efficiency levels when
interior is completely up to date. done. And if they want to KNX data to KNX over IP the offices are unoccupied.
It was originally the meeting change it again in five years (internet protocol) running over Absence detection, which
place of the Oddfellows, a time that will still be just as a dedicated LAN. The KNX utilises light switches with
charitable guild organisation, easy. The Old Courthouse is a IP/Routers allow only the presence detectors, has also
and became the island’s high-profile building but in the necessary data traffic to go been used by some tenants to
courthouse from 1860 until future, as with many other between floors and therefore prevent lights being left on.
1996 when the courts moved to technologies that we now take minimises the overall data Integrating building services
a new £11 million building. for granted, tenants are going to traffic on each floor. Use of with KNX has advantages at all
HLA’s design retained two of the come to expect this level of KNX/IP also meant that data stages of the building’s life and
Old Courthouse’s facades flexibility and control as could go directly to Jung’s to all the stakeholders, says
behind which is a completely standard.” Facility Pilot PC software which Nigel Stafford. “During the
new structure with 28,000 is used at the Old Courthouse to construction phase less cabling
square feet (2600m²) of office A single system monitor and control lighting, is used, installation is made
space over three floors, plus a At the Old Courthouse, Building the Daikin system, ventilation simpler and quicker, and
restaurant and club over two Evolution linked a variety of and fire alarms, and to alterations and additions can be
floors, basement-level parking Jung KNX components with log individual tenants’ energy made more easily. The tenants
and a roof terrace. An adjoining interfaces to Daikin HVAC, a use. also know they can make
townhouse that had been used Trend ventilation system and The Jung Facility Pilot changes without a lot of work.
as a police station was replaced Durable Technologies’ DLC1000 visualisation module provides There is increased energy
to create a new entrance with a lighting controllers, to create a graphic information such as the efficiency and savings for the
glazed facade, and a new, single, programmable system. operating condition of the people paying the bills and there
contemporary rear facade, Jung KNX systems throughout lighting, including lamp failures. is greater comfort and well-
based on the proportions of the the building are linked using The graphics are presented in a being for the people living and
original, was also added. dedicated local area networks, similar way to web pages and working in the building. The
Jung KNX devices were and a Daikin BACnet gateway use icons designed to make owners also know they have a
chosen partly to match the high along with an Intesis KNX information easy to view at a building that can meet any
specification finish of the office BACnet/IP client device glance. The software is modular changing demands on the
interiors but also as a way of provides the interface with the so that users can choose the building over its lifespan.
future-proofing them. Jung Daikin Variable Refrigerant level and types of information “It’s very important to look at
equipment includes stylish Volume HVAC. that suit their installation. At the the long term sustainability of a
stainless steel walls switches The physical medium on each Old Courthouse, ABB three and building. KNX is being more
and touch panel controls along office floor is through KNX single-phase meters with KNX widely accepted, rightly, for
with movement detectors and twisted-pair cable. The KNX bus interface modules provide the high-profile projects like the Old
switching actuators. More uses less cabling than landlord with electricity meter Courthouse. Because it is an
significantly, Jung KNX devices conventional wiring and is readings for each tenant for open standard and not tied to
can be integrated with easier to install and maintain. billing purposes. Facility Pilot one manufacturer there’s a
compatible devices from other With the Jung KNX system it is can also be used to provide 365 much greater chance of it being
manufacturers. KNX conforms possible to add or remove day timer programmes for the there in 30 years time, when it
to ISO/IEC 14543 and is a devices or change the logic of landlord’s own lighting and will still be backward
worldwide standard for home the network – to make lighting electric heaters. compatible. There are buildings
and building control. Instead of respond to daylight levels rather all over the country with
tying users into proprietary than a timer, for example, by Touch control systems that are less than 10 or
systems, KNX allows them to altering the programming, At base build, on each of the 15 years old that are no longer
link compatible devices from a rather than having to rewire. At mainly housed in Wieland gesis which also carries the three- three main office levels, a Jung supported, but with an open
variety of suppliers. the Old Courthouse, the bus is NRG seven-core flat cabling phase power for lighting, HVAC FP701 Touch Panel provided the system this is not an issue.”
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.bsee.co.uk
JULY 2009 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER 23
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44