Building Management Services (BMS) is always working on new projects around campus. We sat down with Refik Smlatic, Inspector, Planner, Estimator for Facilities Management (FM) BMS, to delve into the background and details of an impressive project that has led to a complete overhaul of Hoagland Hall’s lighting system and aims to increase campus efficiency as a whole.

Refik’s involvement with the project began with a simple request to replace the existing lighting system in Hoagland Hall. This one request initiated a series of actions that led to a project that aimed to enhance energy efficiency, improve lighting quality, and align campus infrastructure with modern sustainability standards. The scope of this project was huge, requiring involvement from across our whole organization from UCOP to campus planning, BMS, shop supervisors, technicians and other supporting staff.

The existing lighting system in Hoagland Hall, originally installed in the late 1950s, was a testament to the enduring legacy of mid-century technological capabilities and architectural practices. However, as the campus evolved, so did the need to modernize these systems. The project aimed to preserve the historical significance of the building while adapting its infrastructure to meet contemporary standards of energy efficiency and sustainability. The outdated lighting and controls were inefficient and lacked the technological advancements that could significantly reduce energy consumption and enhance user comfort. As a large institutional building with more than 500 lighting fixtures spanning 60,000 square feet, replacing and upgrading the system would have a substantial impact on energy savings and cost efficiency.

Refik walked us through the complex and multifaceted technical aspects of the project, beginning with an initial assessment of the existing system. This involved detailed site surveys, performance evaluations, and the design of a new system that included energy-efficient lighting technologies, smart controls, and optimized layouts. After physically replacing the existing light fixtures with new LED fixtures and integrating the new lighting controls with the building's electrical infrastructure, each lighting circuit was individually tested to ensure proper functionality and adherence to safety standards. Continuous and ongoing monitoring and optimization are crucial to ensure the new lighting system operates efficiently and effectively.

The Hoagland Hall lighting upgrade project stands out as a strategic investment in modernizing campus infrastructure. Replacing fluorescent lights with LEDs and adding Bluetooth controls offered numerous benefits such as significant energy and cost savings, enhanced lighting quality and user comfort, improved environmental impact, and increased operational efficiency.

The project not only addressed immediate needs but also positioned Hoagland Hall for future advancements in building technology. With a life expectancy of over 10 years, the new lighting system is set to provide long-term benefits, including substantial energy savings and reduced environmental impact. Refik calls the project unique in the way that it acts as a warmup for FM as we look to tackling even more big types of projects. The Hoagland Hall lighting system serves as a model for future in-house initiatives, demonstrating FM’s ability to complete complex projects efficiently and cost-effectively. Thank you to all the teams involved in making this project happen!