Case Study: The HMRB Building, Flinders University

Client: Flinders University

Location: Adelaide, SA

Builder: Hansen Yucken

Electrical Contractor: Nilsen Electrical

Systems Integrator: Nilsen Networks

Project Stats:

  • 4785 X DALI Luminaires
  • 1214 X PIR sensors
  • 282 X Switches
  • 118 X Application Controllers
  • 4 x Smart Switch Displays

The new Health and Medical Research Building at Flinders University is a $250 million facility supporting cutting-edge research into chronic diseases, diabetes, infections, and cancers. It houses researchers from the Colleges of Medicine & Public Health.

Spanning over 22,000m², the building includes laboratories, offices, seminar rooms, and public spaces. Designed for sustainability, it has achieved a Gold Rating from the International WELL Building Institute and a Five Green Star Rating from the Green Building Council.

Nilsen Networks, in partnership with Lumen Resources, delivered the zencontrol lighting system, which includes over 4,000 luminaires, 1,214 PIR sensors, and 118 application controllers. This system incorporates daylight harvesting and customisable lighting scenes, vital for sensitive spaces such as PC2 laboratories and animal holding rooms. In public areas, like galleries, lighting can be easily adjusted by staff and artists, using the zencontrol mobile app. This efficient and customisable system supports the building’s sustainability goals, while providing precise, adaptable lighting for all needs.

 

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Case Study: TRN House Office Building

Client: TRN

Location: Sydney, NSW

Electrical Contractor: Grid Electrical

Systems Integrator: Crown Electrical

Project Stats:

  • 210 X Luminaries
  • 20+ X Application Controllers
  • 20+ X Occupancy Sensors

Completed in 2023, TRN House in Oran Park is a premium commercial building designed with sustainability and efficiency in mind. Its advanced lighting system, implemented by Grid Electrical and Crown Electrical, uses DALI technology integrated with zencontrol to deliver energy-efficient lighting management.

The system includes four DALI lines controlling 210 luminaires, with daylight harvesting and DALI-2 sensors ensuring energy savings and occupant comfort. Application controllers and occupancy sensors automatically adjust lighting based on daylight levels and building usage, creating a flexible and efficient setup.

The zencontrol system integrates smoothly with Cbus switches and Control 4, offering simple control via iPads and master touchscreens for added convenience. DALI’s ability to connect with multiple systems enhances functionality while supporting sustainability goals.

 

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Case Study: Residential Home Prince Albert Street, Sydney

 

Client: Andrew B

Location: Mosman, Sydney NSW

Systems Integrator: Lumen Resources

Project Stats:

  • 1 X Wireless Controller
  • 30 X Wireless lights, with DT8 circadian rhythm


Located in Mosman, Sydney, this high-end home underwent a lighting transformation with the installation of a zencontrol wireless DALI-2 system, replacing an outdated C-Bus setup.

Featuring 30 DALI lights with DT8 circadian rhythm, the project offered a significant upgrade in control and functionality. DALI-2 was chosen for its wireless, customisable, and future-proof capabilities, enabling an elegant integration with Control 4 for seamless smart home management. 

The system provides tunable lighting that adjusts with natural daylight cycles, promoting well-being by enhancing energy, mood, and sleep quality. The app-based control allows flexibility, providing remote operation of the lighting system.

The smooth dimming and flicker-free operation have significantly improved the home's ambience, while sensor lighting in key areas adds safety and convenience. With modern backlit switches and a convenient 'All Lights Off' feature, the home offers ease of use and enhanced aesthetics.


Chat with us about your next DALI-2 project here.



Standalone DALI Solutions: Smarter Lighting for Every Space and Budget


Lighting control can be simple, scalable, and cost-effective—without compromising on functionality. Whether you’re retrofitting a single meeting room or designing an entire building’s lighting system, zencontrol’s standalone DALI solutions provide a flexible approach to intelligent lighting control. These solutions offer powerful features while keeping installation and commissioning streamlined, making them the perfect choice for budget-conscious projects without sacrificing quality. 

Standalone, Yet Fully Capable 

One of the standout examples of zencontrol’s innovation is the zc-pir-iot-da-2sw-r, a compact yet powerful standalone DALI device that delivers advanced lighting control in a small footprint. With integrated occupancy/light sensors, inputs, and switching capabilities, this device enables a meeting room—or any small space—to achieve smart automation with minimal wiring and no need for a central control system. 

How It Works in a Meeting Room 

Consider a typical meeting room setup. Using the zencontrol zc-pir-iot-da-2sw-r, you can implement: 

  • Occupancy-based lighting control – The built-in PIR sensor detects movement and automatically adjusts the lighting based on presence or absence. 

  • Switched load control – The integrated relay can switch non-DALI loads such as legacy lighting fixtures, fans, or even signage. 

  • DALI control for connected luminaires – The DALI outputs allow dimmable and tuneable lighting control, providing energy efficiency and user comfort. 

  • Wall switch inputs – The two independent switch inputs allow users to override or manually control the system, integrating standard momentary or latching switches. 

  • Intelligent scene setting – Configure pre-defined lighting scenes to create the ideal environment for presentations, discussions, or video calls with a simple button press. 

This entire setup is self-contained, requiring no complex programming or expensive external controllers, making it perfect for situations where the scope of control is minimal. 

Expanding the Possibilities 

Standalone DALI solutions aren’t just for single-room applications. With zencontrol’s flexible product range, these solutions can extend across an entire building, scaling up while maintaining the same easy-to-install ethos. 

Beyond the Meeting Room: Other Use Cases 

  • Corridors & Common Areas: Use standalone sensors to automatically adjust brightness levels based on occupancy and ambient light, reducing energy consumption in low-traffic zones. 

  • Storage & Utility Rooms: Utilize relay outputs for automatic control of non-DALI loads such as exhaust fans or emergency lighting. 

  • Retail & Hospitality Spaces: Combine sensors, switches, and smart dimming to enhance customer experience with adaptive lighting. 

  • Educational Facilities: Create simple, cost-effective solutions for classrooms with smart scene selection and daylight harvesting. 

Why Choose zencontrol Standalone DALI Solutions? 

  • Simple & Cost-Effective: No need for additional gateways or controllers. 

  • Flexible Integration: Works with both DALI and non-DALI loads. 

  • Energy Efficient: Maximizes automation to reduce energy wastage. 

  • Scalable: Start with one room and expand seamlessly. 

  • Reliability You Can Trust: Designed to work effortlessly with zencontrol’s ecosystem. 

For any project, big or small, zencontrol’s standalone DALI solutions provide an easy, intelligent, and budget-friendly way to take control of lighting. Whether you’re upgrading a single room or planning a multi-space deployment, these solutions empower building owners and facility managers to create smarter, more efficient environments without complexity.

 

Our team is here to help with your next lighting project. Get in touch here.

Case Study: BevChain Warehouse

Client: Linfox

Location: Laverton North, VIC

Electrical Contractor: APEX Electrical Contracting

Systems Integrator: Experience La Luce

Project Stats:

  • 16 X Application Controllers
  • 500 X Luminaires
  • 500 X Inventronics D4i drivers
  • 526 X IoT Bridges
  • 285 X Occupancy Sensors

 

Completed in 2023, the BevChain warehouse was designed with a state-of-the-art DALI wireless lighting control system, featuring 500 luminaires equipped with Inventronics D4i drivers and 546 IoT bridges, each paired to individual luminaires. The system also uses 285 occupancy sensors and 16 application controllers, demonstrating the scale of this advanced installation. By utilising wireless DALI, the project eliminated the need for traditional cabling, streamlining installation and significantly reducing time, materials, and costs.

Occupancy sensors are programmed to control lighting in aisle groups, ensuring lights are activated only where and when needed, minimising energy waste. Energy data from the D4i drivers is monitored and analysed via a central dashboard, providing real-time insights into consumption patterns and enabling dynamic adjustments for optimal efficiency.

This innovative system demonstrates how DALI technology delivers a cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable lighting solution for large industrial facilities.

 

Our team is here to help with your next lighting project. Get in touch here.

Case Study: Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre

Client: Darebin City Council

Location: Northcote, VIC

Builder: KANE

Project stats:

  • 150 x zencontrol PIR Sensors
  • 73 x zencontrol Switches
  • 46 x zencontrol Relays
  • 19 x zencontrol Controllers
  • 1 x zencontrol Touchscreen

The Darebin City Council sought to refurbish the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre into a modern, sustainable community hub. 

Lumen Resources worked with our integration partner to design a zencontrol lighting control system that addressed the centres' needs for advanced control and energy efficiency.

The zencontrol lighting system covers both indoor and outdoor spaces, catering to the unique requirements of each area. Notable features include customisable, coloured lighting using DMX with zencontrol in the cycle exercise room. The Pilates room incorporates human-centric lighting, adjusting the warmth of the lights throughout the day to maximise comfort. Additionally, the entire facility employs over 100 sensors to enhance energy efficiency by activating lights only when needed.

The result is a zencontrol lighting system that supports a diverse range of activities within the community, while playing a pivotal role in the city's sustainability goals. The Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre stands as a benchmark in environmentally responsible design, achieving an impressive 6 Star Green Star rating.

Our team is here to help with your next lighting project. Get in touch here.