Ethylene Control Center Renovation & Automation Upgrade

This control building is a prime example of console strategy and lighting fitting together to brilliant effect. BAW positioned consoles under a daylight-simulating skylight, to help keep operators alert. Gathering data from recently published research, fluorescent light was installed that featured three different color temperatures. Simulating the passage of time, operators in effect experience a sunrise, broad daylight and sunset when the shift was nearing its end. The changing light was patterned to reflect the body’s natural bio-circadian rhythms.

With BAW once again acting as the industry trendsetter, this is the first example of daylight-simulating light therapy, cast lighting and ambient lighting ever to be employed in one room. Furthermore, all three types of light had to hit a sweet spot, such that the screen view would not be obliterated by too much reflected glare.

Any addition to an existing structure poses a cutover challenge, and it can be extremely complicated to keep all operations running smoothly while transitioning from old to new. BAW orchestrated a seamless cutover week by week, the whole plant stayed live, and the cutover was executed without a hitch.

Additional cutting-edge anti-fatigue elements also deserve mention, such as a fitness room to help operators rejuvenate; juicers instead of soda machines; and soothing nature imagery. ISO standards have since evolved to require scenery, so again, BAW’s groundbreaking thinking was way ahead of its time.