Royal College of Surgeons
Dublin, IrelandBeyond Illumination: Enhancing Sustainability and Wellbeing at RCSI with Helvar Insights
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) is dedicated to advancing medical education and research. Their latest development – an impressive eight-storey facility featuring six levels above ground and two below – is designed to foster innovation and collaboration. The building introduces new concepts such as dedicated learning communities, flexible flat-floor teaching spaces, and small group teaching areas. To enhance RCSI’s research capabilities, the facility also provides up to three floors of state-of-the-art laboratories and support facilities, alongside a cutting-edge 50 sqm virtual reality surgical training space for the National Surgical Training Centre.
Photo: RCSI. Learning commons.
The Solution
A world-class medical education facility demands a world-class environment. Partnering with Scope LMC, the RCSI project team specified a smart, scalable, and future-proof lighting control system from Helvar. Built on open DALI-2 standards, the system delivers highly energy-efficient lighting while seamlessly integrating with the wider smart building infrastructure.
Key Features & Project Highlights
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Unrivalled Scalability & Flexibility: Utilising Helvar 950 routers, the system features a modular architecture that relies on DALI-2 at the field level and Ethernet TCP/IP for backbone communication. This flexible foundation means the controls can be updated in real time to adapt to evolving project and space requirements.
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Actionable Data & Energy Management: Through Helvar Insights, the facility managers gain access to granular energy usage analytics and occupancy data. This cloud-based intelligence provides full visibility of lighting loads and empowers informed decision-making to optimise space utilisation, reduce consumption, and improve overall sustainability.
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Seamless Integration & Reliability: The Helvar system connects effortlessly via BACnet and cloud APIs for comprehensive Building Management System (BMS) and third-party integration. By distributing intelligence across devices, the system avoids single points of failure, ensuring reliable, independent operation once commissioned. Fully automated DALI-2 compliant testing and reporting also guarantees the reliability of the emergency lighting.
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Advanced Environmental Control: To support student and staff wellbeing, the system offers advanced control capabilities, including tunable white and colour (DALI Type 8), ensuring the lighting dynamically supports architectural, entertainment, and educational needs.
“We’re proud to have delivered a Helvar DALI-2 lighting control system for this world-class medical education facility. The system provides smart, energy-efficient lighting, seamless integration with wider building systems, and the flexibility for future expansion.
At Scope LMC, we believe lighting control isn’t just about saving energy – it’s about creating better environments for people to learn, work and thrive. With Helvar’s open and future-proof platform, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland now has a lighting control system that will support its needs for many years to come” – Jonathan Smith, Scope LMC Sales Director
Photo: RCSI
„The RCSI project leverages Helvar lighting controls to support a highly scalable and future proof solution. By utilising Helvar Insights, the building gains access to detailed energy usage analytics and occupancy data, enabling more efficient space utilisation and informed decision making across the estate. Helvar’s long-standing reputation for reliability, sustainability, and high‑quality control solutions was also a key factor in its selection for this project“ – Brendan Sullivan, Channel Manager UK & Ireland, Helvar
Photo: RCSI
Photo: Scope LMC
Key facts
Project completed: 2025
Project location: Dublin, Ireland
Local Helvar Partner: Scope LMC
Designer: AXIS Engineering and EQ2 Light
Contractor: Tritech Engineering
Dublin, Ireland
