The New York Times
Client
The New York Times
Project location
New York, USA
Project date
2023
Perfectly tailored LED retrofit in the New York Times office
Designed by Renzo Piano in collaboration with FXCollaborative, the glass-clad New York Times Building was the most advanced example of integrated building technology of its time when it opened. Shadow-free lighting in the main newsroom and offices was realised using T5 fluorescent tubes from Zumtobel, which offer excellent glare control. As LED lighting technology matured and energy efficiency became a goal, the Times management tested a series of LED retrofits as part of their ongoing sustainability efforts. Finally, Zumtobel Lighting developed a tailored refurbishment kit with a proven optical design that surpasses the original luminaire, offering an affordable refurbishment solution with 50% energy savings, plastic-free packaging, and ultra-fast installation.
Benefit from the LED lighting revolution
As 2020 approached, the Times building management team intended to leverage mature LED lighting technology. The Times employees identified opportunities for further energy savings and other advantages provided by LED technology. But could they find a retrofit solution that would enhance appearance, flexibility, and lighting quality without necessitating expensive new lighting fixtures and controls?
Benefit from the LED lighting revolution
As 2020 approached, the Times building management team intended to leverage mature LED lighting technology. The Times employees identified opportunities for further energy savings and other advantages provided by LED technology. But could they find a retrofit solution that would enhance appearance, flexibility, and lighting quality without necessitating expensive new lighting fixtures and controls?
Sustainable and cost-efficient
The New York Times' refurbishment solution preserves 80 to 90 percent of the original aluminium and steel fittings, which is far superior from a sustainability perspective than a complete redevelopment. It can be installed in just 20 minutes, which minimises disruption in the busy newsroom and offices. Since Zumtobel developed the original luminaire, the company was best positioned to develop the ideal retrofit solution. This combination of efficiency and sustainability makes the solution particularly advantageous.
LED: Technology of its time
"The fluorescent tube technology was outdated, and the management team at the The New York Times was aware of it," stated Attila Uysal from Lumen Architecture, who was involved in both the original newsroom/office lighting and the LED conversion in 2022. They knew it had to be compatible with the existing luminaires and the digital control system. It was a complex retrofit with a high level of detail."
The "perfect fit" LED solution
The Times' building management team tested various LED retrofit products for the existing Zumtobel luminaires to achieve energy savings and avoid the disruptive maintenance of burnt-out fluorescent tubes. However, the options were either not compatible or did not offer sufficient improvements in energy efficiency. Finally, a specially developed, affordable renovation kit from Zumtobel was chosen that fulfilled these requirements.
"The NYT refurbishment kit was ideal because Zumtobel knew the original luminaires precisely. The exchange was simple, and the result: a harmoniously integrated, visually enhanced luminaire with optimal light performance and UL certification.
Attila Uysal, architect at Lumen Architecture
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