FULL-SCALE LIGHTING OVERHAUL FOR IBEW LOCAL ONE

IBEW Local One was the first electrical union in the United States. Founded in St. Louis in 1891, the organization has over 700,000 members across the U.S. and Canada. Its St. Louis office serves as meeting space and administrative offices for the organization, and is also used as a venue for other events outside of IBEW.

The Challenge

The organization originally sought to perform a retrofit, converting fixtures from fluorescent to LED to become more energy efficient and modern. They brought HOLT Electrical Supply in as their supplier and consultant on the project, along with our partners at Guarantee Electric, who would perform the installation. 

We met with the project leaders at IBEW to get a grip on their needs so we could provide good recommendations. We discovered that the members of the organization really wanted a complete overhaul of the lighting in the entire building.

The Solution

The HOLT Design Services and Quotations Teams worked together to create a plan for the overhaul at IBEW. After receiving architectural drawings with blank specs, we began vetting manufacturers for the program on IBEW’s behalf. It was important to their organization that we only select fixtures that were U.S.A.-made.

We brought samples of products and color swatches to the customer at their headquarters so they could visualize what everything would look like in the space. Once we had narrowed down the options, our design services team created 3D renderings to give the customer a better idea of how it would all come together.

We also needed to ensure that the project met code requirements for illumination in the space. We used software to confirm that our design would provide the appropriate foot-candles of illumination. 

The Win

Once the installation was complete, the atmosphere at IBEW headquarters was changed. One of the most dramatic design features of this project is the show-stopping, color-changing uplighting on the building’s facade. Once it was installed, a local news station even conducted a helicopter flyover to show off the effect.

With the renovation complete, IBEW members have a space that reminds them how proud they are to be part of the organization. They have also been able to generate additional revenue by hosting weddings and banquets in the space thanks to the enhanced theatrical aesthetic features of the lighting.