St Columbas Catholic College
Engineering Precision for Modern Pedagogy
This project delivered a sophisticated lighting solution for a new two-storey Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) and General Learning Area (GLA) block.
Overview
The facility supports high-impact educational environments, including dedicated woodwork, metalwork, textiles, and Visual Art spaces on the ground floor, with nine General Learning spaces situated upstairs.
At CoLab, we understand that educational lighting must enhance focus in theoretical spaces while ensuring safety and precision in practical workshops.
Navigating Specification Restrictions
The primary challenge during the pre-commencement phase involved securing approval from electrical consultants for an alternate lighting package. Stringent lux level requirements and technical benchmarks required a partner capable of providing robust data and transparent engineering.
We win specifications by proving our products are code-compliant and "control-ready," backed by the photometric documentation needed to de-risk complex projects.
HJR & CoLab Lighting Partnership
Tasked by Laser Electical to provide an alternative to their original tender, HJR utilised its extensive commercial lighting knowledge to source a superior package through CoLab Lighting.
This long-standing partnership allows HJR to act as a seamless intermediary between Laser’s project needs and CoLab’s manufacturing capabilities. By balancing price and quality, HJR effectively bridges the gap between client expectations and technical execution.
The CoLab & Laser Partnership
To overcome initial hurdles, CoLab served as a technical partner, providing intensive support to ensure the design met every performance metric. Laser Electrical and Communications Penrith was awarded the project through a standard construction tendering process, bringing over 30 years of experience in school environments to the table.
Collaborative Engineering
Laser prides itself on school projects and maintenance, focusing not only on the immediate installation but also on how the school will maintain the system long-term.
Their Project Managers worked closely with experienced Site Leading hands to coordinate with Principal Contractors daily, ensuring project timelines were met through rigorous weekly scheduling and a deep knowledge of site requirements.
Testing, Commissioning, and Control
Testing and Commissioning represent the most critical phase of any project to ensure end-user safety and operational integrity. Laser’s site staff possess a foundational understanding of DALI protocols, supported by dedicated in-house technicians for specialty programming of DALI and CBus systems.
This expertise ensured that the "control-ready" CoLab fixtures were seamlessly integrated into the building’s ecosystem.
A Future-Proof Educational Environment
The chosen luminaires were selected for their exceptional build quality and ease of maintenance.
By adhering strictly to AS/NZS 3000 wiring standards and providing locally supported technical expertise, the collaboration between CoLab, HJR Lighting and Laser Electrical delivered a seamless installation that met the client's goals on time and to the highest professional specification.
