Cooper Lighting Case Study: Spencer Middle School’s Improved Learning Environment

April 21, 2023

Cooper Lighting, Spencer Middle School Case Study

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Background

The Spencer Middle School is located in Langford, just outside British Columbia’s capital, Victoria. A public school that serves grades six through eight, Spencer Middle School offers its 640-strong student body a host of academic, applied skills, and extra-curricular opportunities to help them learn, grow, and enjoy their middle school years.

Challenge

The school district felt the school’s interior lighting and décor was dated. And it was. The common area hadn’t been updated in close to 30 years, while the rest of the school lighting and décor hadn’t changed since the 1970s when the school was built.

 All agreed this wasn’t the best way to make students feel welcomed to school every day. The district wanted a fresh look for the interior of the Spencer Middle School.

Solution

Mac’s II designer Ryan Brown brought Cooper Lighting Solutions onto the project. He’d seen Cooper Lighting Solutions products in use at another school and knew they would be right for Spencer Middle School.

The decision was made to go with Cooper Lighting Solutions Neo-Ray Define lighting fixtures and WaveLinx lighting controls.

The Neo-Ray Define series offers unmatched design flexibility, making it a favored choice for education spaces. It features a minimalist design and clean, uniform lines of illumination – a much more contemporary, much more welcoming look than the 1970s aesthetic it was replacing.

Cooper Lighting Solutions WaveLinx controls are intelligent, LED-based lighting systems that can help schools reduce energy and operating costs while ensuring a comfortable environment that supports learning.

Products Used

Define LED Suspended Luminaire
WaveLink Mobile App
CGT Panel
WaveLinx Wireless Area Controller Gen 2
WaveLinx Integrated Components
WaveLinx Wallstation

Results

The new lighting system was delivered on time and installed on budget. It was very well received by everyone: students, teachers, parents, the school district, and, of course, the budget committee.

Here are just some of the results of the new system:
  • Lower energy consumption and costs. By switching from fluorescent to LED lighting, the school can expect energy efficiency to improve by 60-70%.
  • Less wasted energy. Occupancy sensors turn off the lights automatically when no one is present in a space.
  • Less maintenance required. Because LED bulbs last anywhere from 6 to 12 years, they don’t have to be changed as often. The result is a considerable savings in labor hours.
  • Better lighting quality. Higher quality lighting is proven to promote learning, encourage student productivity, even improve academic performance.
  • Decentralized lighting control. Teachers are now able to control the lighting in their classrooms. They’re able to choose color temperatures (from cool to warm) to mimic the effects of circadian cycles to provide students with lighting that helps them better focus on their studies.
  • Improved student and teacher wellness. Better lighting provides the kind of class acoustics and non-glare lighting that make spaces more comfortable and less stressful.
  • Future-ready system. As the school’s student body increases or the school wants to add more functionality, they’ll find their system is scalable and easily reconfigured

“The project with Macs ll and Cooper Lighting Solutions went very smoothly, including the experience of choosing the perfect lighting for our unique spaces… The WaveLinx Pro dimming package is so user-friendly and easily accommodates the end user’s wants for their space.”

Electrician, Sooke School District 62, British Columbia, Canada

More information available Here

Related Articles

Changing Scene

  • Aug 6, 2025 - Hèmèra Announces Acquistion by Industry Professionals Francois Renaud, Matthew Curatolo & Nicholas Cohen

    Hèmèra Announces a New Era of Innovation & Leadership

    Hèmèra has announced that it has been acquired by industry professionals François Renaud, Matthew Curatolo, and Nicolas Cohen. This acquisition marks the beginning of an exciting new era for Hèmèra, as the new leadership team is poised to build on the company’s legacy of delivering innovative, high-performance lighting solutions to discerning customers. The new leadership… Read More…

  • July 28, 2025 - Eureka Wins Multiple SIT Furniture Design Awards

    Eureka Wins Multiple SIT Furniture Design Awards

    Eureka is pleased to announce that it has received 2025 SIT Furniture Design Awards for its Junction, Lattice, and Velia luminaires. SIT Furniture Design Award was created to celebrate and share the remarkable work of furniture designers and those who use furniture in their projects. The creativity, innovative vision, and accessibility of the furniture design… Read More…

Design

  • How Do the Most Trusted Lighting Brands Stay at the Top

    How Do the Most Trusted Lighting Brands Stay at the Top

    In a competitive and constantly evolving lighting market, staying top-of-mind isn’t just about creating beautiful products, it’s about creating consistent value. Lighting professionals today are inundated with choices. From smart solutions and sustainable tech to design-forward fixtures, the options are vast. But amidst this sea of options, some brands always seem to rise to the… Read More…

  • A New Language of Light: Fluxwerx Unveils Speak Recessed Luminaire Family, Reimagining Architectural Integration & Performance

    A New Language of Light: Fluxwerx Unveils Speak Recessed Luminaire Family, Reimagining Architectural Integration & Performance

    Fluxwerx announces the launch of Speak—the latest addition to their expanding collection of LED luminaires for commercial, institutional, retail, hospitality and residential environments. Breaking from the paradigm of conventional downlights, Speak is a new meticulously designed luminaire family that elevates the dialogue between light, material, and spatial intent. Engineered as an extension of architectural form rather… Read More…

New Products

  • Eureka Introduces New Tulip Luminaire

    Eureka Introduces New Tulip Luminaire

    Eureka has announced the release of its new Tulip luminaires. The family features a range of fixtures that include chandeliers, pendants and surface mount units. The heart of the Tulip family is a bouquet-inspired arrangement that offers a contemporary take on a classic chandelier. The luminaire is constructed of aluminum tubes and acrylic diffusers. They… Read More…

  • Kuzco Lighting: Alora Mood Cosmo 39-in Chandelier

    Kuzco Lighting: Alora Mood Cosmo 39-in Chandelier

    Transform your space with the Cosmo lighting collection—a modern take on the timeless mid-century sputnik chandelier. Featuring opal ribbed glass shades, Cosmo adds a touch of sleek sophistication and a bold, contemporary feel to any room’s vibe. Designed for living room, dining room, foyer, bedroom, and beyond. Read More…