Following Whitecroft’s successful collaboration on the Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD), the University of Manchester (UoM) required an advanced lighting solution for the comprehensive refurbishment of its historic Booth Street East building. 

Unoccupied since 2018, the structure was designated to become UoM’s first zero-emissions building. A landmark phase in an ambitious masterplan aiming to reduce carbon emissions by an average of 13% per annum. 

Working alongside contractor NG Bailey, the brief demanded a low-carbon lighting scheme capable of transforming the aged architecture into a flexible learning innovation space featuring offices, hyflex teaching areas, and podcasting studios.  

Whitecroft delivered an intelligent, energy-efficient lighting solution of over 1,200 products, including Suspended Avenue and Mirage 3 Downlight luminaires with integral smart lighting sensors.

Wireless Organic Response was used to cater to the existing building fabric and infrastructure. This wireless ecosystem eliminated the need for invasive control cabling and significantly accelerated the installation process while preserving the building's physical fabric. 

The sensor-driven setup optimises energy consumption through automated occupancy and daylight tuning. Delivering massive carbon reductions, the project successfully supported UoM’s net-zero journey and helped the building secure the prestigious Building of the Year accolade at Manchester’s Estates and Facilities Awards.