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Connected lighting

FutureOffice takes a tour of this revolutionary new office building, setting ground-breaking new standards in sustainability, efficiency and comfort at work. Share the video views and insights from tenants Deloitte and creators of the connected lighting system Philips Lighting, to find out how this unique building is already exceeding expectations.

Sensor smart technology

Usually smart technology is something you can see. What’s so great about The Edge, a ground-breaking new office development in Amsterdam, is that you don’t see the technology. As Philips Senior Scientist Dr Alexander Sinitsyn neatly sums up, “What you can see is that the building tries to serve you, tries to help you and tries to optimize your work to the best.”

Philips Connected Lighting is a first and foremost a high quality LED lighting system for offices combining a network of connected lights and sensors. As Philips Commercial Director Derk Bots explains “We've basically created a digital smart ceiling with sensors designed for motion detection, daylight control and temperature measurement.”

Derk Bots, Commercial Director, Philips on connected lighting technology at The Edge, Amsterdam

It's future proof because it's connected to the internet and in an area of technology that's moving at a fast pace right now we know we can add to it in the future."

- Derk Bots, Commercial Director, Philips

Insight driven innovation

Working together with developer OVG, and Philips, tenants Deloitte have applied one of the biggest trends in this industry - data analytics to this building in all its glory.

As Erik Ubels, Director of IT & Workplace Services explains “It’s really important to collect the data so that at any time the facilities management team know exactly how many workstations or meeting rooms are being used, how many people are in the restaurant for example. Having this data means we can provide more comfort and efficiency for people using the spaces, but ultimately, its also about sustainability.

What makes this building special is that data from the Connected Lighting system is collected to manage and use the building more efficiently. Dr Sinitsyn shows how this works in practice, “Putting the lights on or heating only places where there are people, or cooling down a place when you know there will be nobody there - you save energy, while still keeping the comfort for the inhabitants.”

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Personal space

But how does it feel to work in this amazing office space. Years ago, the ‘work smarter’ trend meant working from home but now we are realizing that it’s important to feel at home at work. Technology makes this possible - at The Edge, everyone has their own lighting and temperature preferences, and these can be replicated in the office via a smartphone app.

People are more satisfied with the quality of the light and with the amount of light they have. Almost all employees tell me they don't want to go back, so that shows us that it’s a success.”

- Frouwynke Dijkgraaf, Deloitte Property Management Consultant

Everything is based on your preferences and personal settings programmed into the app, so you only need to set it up once. After the initial set up, the lighting system recognizes it’s you and adapts the conditions to meet your preferences giving you maximum comfort while working smarter.

Philips Research Scientist Sanae Chraibi has monitored feedback from those working in this innovative space, “We've seen that initially people think they don't need personalized control. They have never used it, so they don't miss it. But when they actually experience it, they see the value and prefer to keep using the system.”

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Future thinking

The future proof nature of the system also means that it is scalable and that other sensors can easily be added for things like humidity, CO2, and other potential future requirements.

Is the building finished? We leave the final word with Jim Stolze, Writer and Entrepreneur “Now because the building is done, data can show us how it's actually being used. How many people were using a room, how much energy was used. So the learning process starts now. Imagine what comes next, when we put what we’ve learned into action”.

Philips Senior Scientist Dr Alexander Sinitsyn agrees “I think the Edge is a clear example where you see different companies like Philips and Deloitte co-creating together. That’s the way you can truly innovate.”

I think we've only just begun, because innovation is all about doing, learning and improving”

- Jim Stolze, Writer and Entrepreneur

Delivering value beyond illumination

5 ways connected lighting sensors can deliver value by gathering & sharing data about the office environment.

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Connecting with the future of office design

State-of-the-art Philips connected lighting system helps create a more comfortable, productive, and sustainable office environment at The Edge.

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Probably the most sustainable building in the world

The Edge, an innovative, 40,000 m2, multi-tenant office building with a host of sustainability features and cutting-edge facilities management technology.

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