In conjunction with the School's consultant ALECTIA, an experimental installation using recessed fluorescent luminaires with special micro-prismatic panels was installed at a clinic. After a successful trial period, the scheme associates drew up a specification which Thorn successfully met.

The custom made luminaires are designed to provide a high quality of light in terms of colour, an Ra of over 90 enables dentists to select the right colour plastic for fillings, uniformity and freedom of glare. They replace a 30 year old scheme with yellow, glaring diffusers.

The average illumination level has risen from 700 to 1,000 lux - meeting the exacting requirements of Danish Standard DS 705:2002 - Artificial lighting in dental consulting rooms. Fitted with twin 54W T16 tubes, the new design requires half the number of luminaires needed previously, so permitting major savings in energy and capital costs. Each luminaire has intelligent DALI control to reduce operating hours.

The lights also feature extreme maintenance flexibility, with a smooth, sealed, surface for easy cleaning and the ability to quickly change lamps.

Five hundred luminaires have been fitted in four teaching hospitals and orders have been placed for a further six renovation projects next year. There’s a new look to the exterior too, and it’s all down to the use of Dyana LED road lanterns.

Architect for the Aarhus clinic was Erik Moller.