close
search
On 15 October this year, Auckland’s Sylvia Park Shopping Centre opened its much-anticipated first-floor Galleria extension. The $277 million, 20,000 sqm development delivers the ultimate retail experience, boasting over 50 new stores and a dining precinct.
Legrand has a long and successful history with the Sylvia Park development. In 2006, Sylvia Park became the first site in Australasia to adopt Legrand’s Axiom Monitored Emergency Lighting System. And we’re proud that 14 years on, Sylvia Park owners Kiwi Property opted to move up to the next level with Legrand by installing our award-winning GALAXY® Connected Emergency Lighting System into the impressive new extension.
Legrand are pioneers in emergency lighting systems, manufacturing emergency lighting since 1967 and developing the first ever monitored emergency lighting system in 1989. Extensive global investment in Research and Development ensures we’re continually at the forefront of innovation; pushing the boundaries of what is possible across electrical and digital building infrastructures.
After nearly 15 years in the market, The Axiom Emergency Lighting System was nearing the end of its lifespan, and conversations were held in New Zealand and Australia to understand what the next generation of Legrand emergency lighting management could look like. As well as taking on board lessons learnt from previous systems, Legrand consulted with the market; Property Owners, Property Managers, Facilities Managers, Electrical Contractors, Engineers, Architects – what was their vision for an emergency lighting system?
The answer? A system that is simple, intuitive, easy and cost effective to instal, reliable and operates on a future-proofed digital platform.
It took extensive planning and a global collaboration of over 20 electronic, software and RF engineers in both Australia and France to bring this vision to life. In 2018, the Galaxy Connected Emergency Lighting System was launched.
Suitable for installation into smart and sustainable buildings, Galaxy streamlines the entire process from specifying and install through to day-to-day monitoring. It operates with less infrastructure and less components - reducing costs by up to 30% and resulting in superior reliability. App-based commissioning technology enables commissioning to be completed with a smart device, leading to a set-up process that’s 50% faster, and Galaxy’s tri-wireless LORaWAN, WIFI and Bluetooth platform ensures the system is future-proofed for further developments.
The innovation that Galaxy delivers was just the start of what has made the Galleria extension project a success. Lighting Engineer and Legrand Business Development Manager, Tony Tavita explains, “Great systems are one thing, but systems are nothing without the people behind it. Legrand has a proven history as trusted partners for large scale retail and commercial projects. We do more than just promote systems; we have an experienced team that continue to support clients, contractors and facility managers well after the sale is made.”
For the Galleria extension this support included Legrand’s own technicians working closely alongside Aotea Electric, the project’s installation Contractor to achieve the full commissioning of over 800 emergency light fittings. Rather than outsource this part of the process, Legrand elects to minimise the risk and retain control, Tony says, “The client has a better experience when the system is handed over fully commissioned. All the trouble shooting has already been done by the people who are specialists in this exact system. It’s handed over 100% ready to go and fully operational.”
Legrand also modified standard fittings to accommodate design features in the space, including an architecturally designed curved roof and shop fronts where the only option was a flag-shaped fitting which Legrand especially manufactured for this project.
Working with Architects, The Buchan Group, Legrand investigated options for mounting and blending the signs, resulting in a concept plan that was visually unobtrusive whilst meeting compliance and safety standards. The Buchan Group comments, “We incorporated several design features into the Galleria extension, we were very impressed with the lengths that Legrand went to in order to modify the fittings to accommodate these features - and in such a short timeframe. The end result was really pleasing.”
Kiwi Property also benefit from Legrand’s 5-year warranty and full after-sale technical support with a dedicated Legrand technical consultant available to provide ongoing training and day-to-day support to its Facilities Managers.
For both Legrand and Kiwi Property this installation is just the beginning. Now that The Galleria is officially opened, plans are underway for the rest of the site, with the aim to make it the biggest Galaxy site in New Zealand.
Legrand are also set to release further updates on the Galaxy system this year, adding more features and technology, including the capability for Building Management System (BMS) integration.
Galaxy started as a vision. Today, through the support of Property Developers and Portfolio Managers such as Kiwi Property, it has proven itself as the future of effective and reliable emergency lighting management, where the possibilities for application are endless.
