Marselisborg Gymnasium: A Lighting Project Balancing Economy, Aesthetics, and Sustainability
Instead of following the common approach—removing the old, discarding it, and installing something new—Marselisborg Gymnasium chose a different path. Vice-principal Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard, responsible for the process, aimed to create a project that complied with all regulations while being both economically and environmentally sustainable.
The gymnasium faced challenges in meeting modern lighting requirements while striving for a more energy-efficient and cost-effective solution. Its buildings, spanning various periods—from 1898, 1910, 1957, to 2016—featured diverse lighting installations.
“Handling lighting in buildings from different eras is no simple task,” said Vestergaard. “The easiest solution would have been to remove everything and dispose of it, but I wanted to explore alternatives.”
With professional advice from Ramboll, the school developed a tender with clear supplier requirements. Each light source had to meet all regulatory standards. Suppliers also had to specify whether a light source should be replaced or refurbished for reuse, alongside disposal costs.
“One benefit of refurbishment is avoiding the resource use involved in waste disposal, and we factored this in when comparing costs,” Vestergaard explained.
Ultimately, reusing and refurbishing the existing installations for energy-efficient solutions proved both the most sustainable and the most cost-effective approach. The gymnasium partnered with Nordic Business Light to redesign and initiate the refurbishment of its lighting systems.
Marselisborg Gymnasium: A Lighting Project Balancing Economy, Aesthetics, and Sustainability
Instead of following the common approach—removing the old, discarding it, and installing something new—Marselisborg Gymnasium chose a different path. Vice-principal Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard, responsible for the process, aimed to create a project that complied with all regulations while being both economically and environmentally sustainable.
The gymnasium faced challenges in meeting modern lighting requirements while striving for a more energy-efficient and cost-effective solution. Its buildings, spanning various periods—from 1898, 1910, 1957, to 2016—featured diverse lighting installations.
“Handling lighting in buildings from different eras is no simple task,” said Vestergaard. “The easiest solution would have been to remove everything and dispose of it, but I wanted to explore alternatives.”
With professional advice from Ramboll, the school developed a tender with clear supplier requirements. Each light source had to meet all regulatory standards. Suppliers also had to specify whether a light source should be replaced or refurbished for reuse, alongside disposal costs.
“One benefit of refurbishment is avoiding the resource use involved in waste disposal, and we factored this in when comparing costs,” Vestergaard explained.
Ultimately, reusing and refurbishing the existing installations for energy-efficient solutions proved both the most sustainable and the most cost-effective approach. The gymnasium partnered with Nordic Business Light to redesign and initiate the refurbishment of its lighting systems.

"We have ended up with the best solution"
Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard expresses his confidence that Marselisborg Gymnasium has achieved the best possible solution for their situation. "Ultimately, this is a matter of balancing economy, quality, and regulations. It has to be a good investment, and we must comply with the rules. The fact that we can simultaneously achieve the most sustainable solution on the market by refurbishing and reusing the old lamps and lighting installations—which are of high quality and fit the architecture of the buildings—is just a really great bonus."

A Solution That Fits the School’s Identity
Although economy, regulations, and functionality were the primary focus, sustainability and aesthetics also played a significant role in Marselisborg Gymnasium’s lighting project.
“As an educational institution, it’s important for us to make sustainable choices when it makes sense—and this was one of those cases,” says Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.
The school also has several beautiful old pendant lamps from the 1920s, which they wanted to preserve to maintain the historical character of the school.
“We have several truly fine lamps that we wanted to keep, if possible,” he explains, adding:
“We ended up refurbishing almost all our light sources at the gymnasium—in the cafeterias, hallways, classrooms, and more. Only in a few places did we install completely new fixtures. The old lamps have been fitted with new interiors and light control systems, making them modern and energy-efficient while staying true to the school’s original style.”
A solution that combines history and innovation—perfectly aligned with the gymnasium’s identity and values.
A gymnasium serves many purposes beyond just being an educational institution. It also acts as a venue for musicals, lectures, and social gatherings.
When it comes to creating spaces that support the school’s diverse activities, lighting plays a crucial role today.

Marselisborg Gymnasium After the Lighting Project
“Før havde vi lys, der kunne tænde og slukke, og det var ikke skarpt nok”. "Before, we had lights that could only turn on and off, and they weren’t bright enough," describes Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard when talking about the gymnasium’s lighting before the project. Today, they have:
The gymnasium has focused on using research-based knowledge to choose the lighting that best supports the learning environment.
"We selected light intensity and color based on studies that show which type of lighting best supports the learning situation," says Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.
In the multi-purpose hall, cafeteria area, and staff room, Marselisborg Gymnasium has integrated lighting that can be adjusted for both color and intensity.
"We can change the color tone and dim the light in entire zones or specific areas, allowing us to create different atmospheres depending on the activity. This makes a big difference for events like musicals, lectures, and student parties," explains Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.
The school has moved away from traditional automatic lighting and now uses a central control system, allowing them to adjust the lighting as needed.
“With the old system, the lights could turn off during exam situations if no movement was detected. Now, we can set the lights to stay on in specific rooms during certain periods, such as during oral exams, so no one is disturbed by sudden interruptions,” explains Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.

A Strong Business Case
Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard emphasizes that the sooner a school adopts energy-efficient solutions, the greater the long-term savings will be.
Marselisborg Gymnasium expects the new lighting solution to pay for itself within 5-8 years, despite the added functionalities and the significant increase in light levels across most areas.
Had the additional functionalities been omitted, the project would have naturally paid for itself even faster.
“Nordic Business Light garanterer alt det, de sætter op i mindst fem år, samtidig garanterer de deres ombygninger i mindst 50.000 timer ved konstant drift, i vores tilfælde svarer det til mere end 15 år, så vi kan være sikre på en løsning, der holder”, forklarer han.
Throughout the entire project, Nordic Business Light demonstrated strong project management, ensuring that agreements were upheld and solutions were delivered as promised.
“What we agreed on is exactly what we got,” says Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.
“Nordic Business Light has been extremely professional and systematic in their approach, and they were proactive in finding solutions to challenges along the way. The entire project management has been flawless,” he adds., siger han.
“The overall timelines have been closely followed, and if any minor adjustments were needed, Nordic Business Light communicated them in good time,” explains Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.
“Their flexibility was also crucial, as all work was carried out outside of teaching hours to avoid disruptions. It has been very calm, sober, well-prepared, and well-communicated – we had full trust in them throughout the process,” adds Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.
Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard also emphasizes the importance of having external advice for a project like this.
“I’m not an expert in lighting, but I had the ambition to get everything right the first time so that we got the functionalities we needed. An impartial advisor helps you with your blind spots, and I would recommend this to anyone going through a similar project,” says Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.
"We have ended up with the best solution"
Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard expresses his confidence that Marselisborg Gymnasium has achieved the best possible solution for their situation. "Ultimately, this is a matter of balancing economy, quality, and regulations. It has to be a good investment, and we must comply with the rules. The fact that we can simultaneously achieve the most sustainable solution on the market by refurbishing and reusing the old lamps and lighting installations—which are of high quality and fit the architecture of the buildings—is just a really great bonus."

A Solution That Fits the School’s Identity
Although economy, regulations, and functionality were the primary focus, sustainability and aesthetics also played a significant role in Marselisborg Gymnasium’s lighting project.
“As an educational institution, it’s important for us to make sustainable choices when it makes sense—and this was one of those cases,” says Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.
The school also has several beautiful old pendant lamps from the 1920s, which they wanted to preserve to maintain the historical character of the school.
“We have several truly fine lamps that we wanted to keep, if possible,” he explains, adding:
“We ended up refurbishing almost all our light sources at the gymnasium—in the cafeterias, hallways, classrooms, and more. Only in a few places did we install completely new fixtures. The old lamps have been fitted with new interiors and light control systems, making them modern and energy-efficient while staying true to the school’s original style.”
A solution that combines history and innovation—perfectly aligned with the gymnasium’s identity and values.
A gymnasium serves many purposes beyond just being an educational institution. It also acts as a venue for musicals, lectures, and social gatherings.
When it comes to creating spaces that support the school’s diverse activities, lighting plays a crucial role today.

Marselisborg Gymnasium After the Lighting Project
“Før havde vi lys, der kunne tænde og slukke, og det var ikke skarpt nok”. "Before, we had lights that could only turn on and off, and they weren’t bright enough," describes Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard when talking about the gymnasium’s lighting before the project. Today, they have:
The gymnasium has focused on using research-based knowledge to choose the lighting that best supports the learning environment.
"We selected light intensity and color based on studies that show which type of lighting best supports the learning situation," says Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.
In the multi-purpose hall, cafeteria area, and staff room, Marselisborg Gymnasium has integrated lighting that can be adjusted for both color and intensity.
"We can change the color tone and dim the light in entire zones or specific areas, allowing us to create different atmospheres depending on the activity. This makes a big difference for events like musicals, lectures, and student parties," explains Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.
The school has moved away from traditional automatic lighting and now uses a central control system, allowing them to adjust the lighting as needed.
“With the old system, the lights could turn off during exam situations if no movement was detected. Now, we can set the lights to stay on in specific rooms during certain periods, such as during oral exams, so no one is disturbed by sudden interruptions,” explains Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.

A Strong Business Case
Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard emphasizes that the sooner a school adopts energy-efficient solutions, the greater the long-term savings will be.
Marselisborg Gymnasium expects the new lighting solution to pay for itself within 5-8 years, despite the added functionalities and the significant increase in light levels across most areas.
Had the additional functionalities been omitted, the project would have naturally paid for itself even faster.
"Nordic Business Light guarantees everything they set up for at least five years, and they also guarantee their refurbishments for at least 50,000 hours of continuous operation, which in our case corresponds to more than 15 years, so we can be confident that we have a solution that lasts," he explains.
Throughout the entire project, Nordic Business Light demonstrated strong project management, ensuring that agreements were upheld and solutions were delivered as promised.
“What we agreed on is exactly what we got,” says Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.
“Nordic Business Light has been extremely professional and systematic in their approach, and they were proactive in finding solutions to challenges along the way. The entire project management has been flawless,” he adds., siger han.
“The overall timelines have been closely followed, and if any minor adjustments were needed, Nordic Business Light communicated them in good time,” explains Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.
“Their flexibility was also crucial, as all work was carried out outside of teaching hours to avoid disruptions. It has been very calm, sober, well-prepared, and well-communicated – we had full trust in them throughout the process,” adds Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.
Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard also emphasizes the importance of having external advice for a project like this.
“I’m not an expert in lighting, but I had the ambition to get everything right the first time so that we got the functionalities we needed. An impartial advisor helps you with your blind spots, and I would recommend this to anyone going through a similar project,” says Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.

The Right Partner for Complex Projects
Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard recommends Nordic Business Light for institutions facing complex lighting projects involving many different fixtures and requirements for recycling and refurbishment. “If you have a project where you need to refurbish fixtures and at the same time ensure that everything complies with the applicable regulations and gets type approval, I haven't found anyone else who can solve the task as well as Nordic Business Light,” says Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.
Strong Danish Partnerships
As the contract partner for Marselisborg Gymnasium, Nordic Business Light led the project in close collaboration with three of the leading players in the market:
- Armatur-prodcent Arkilux Design, med over 30 års erfaring i design, ombygning, konstruktion og produktion af bæredygtige LED-lysløsninger
- PL Service Midtjylland, an authorized electrical installer responsible for installation and execution of the work at the gymnasium.
- Vanpee, a company with expertise in lighting control, which assisted with the extensive programming tasks central to the project.
The Right Partner for Complex Projects
Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard recommends Nordic Business Light for institutions facing complex lighting projects involving many different fixtures and requirements for recycling and refurbishment. “If you have a project where you need to refurbish fixtures and at the same time ensure that everything complies with the applicable regulations and gets type approval, I haven't found anyone else who can solve the task as well as Nordic Business Light,” says Ulrik Lyng Vestergaard.
Strong Danish Partnerships
As the contract partner for Marselisborg Gymnasium, Nordic Business Light led the project in close collaboration with three of the leading players in the market:
- Arkilux Design, a fixture manufacturer that has specialized in the design, refurbishment, construction, and production of sustainable LED lighting solutions for over 30 years.
- PL Service Midtjylland, an authorized electrical installer responsible for installation and execution of the work at the gymnasium.
- Vanpee, a company with expertise in lighting control, which assisted with the extensive programming tasks central to the project.

How can we help your company?
Lad os tage en uforpligtende samtale, hvor I kan blive klogere på, hvordan Nordic Business Light kan hjælpe jer med new light, better bottom line and less CO2 Accounting.

How can we help your company?
Lad os tage en uforpligtende samtale, hvor I kan blive klogere på, hvordan Nordic Business Light kan hjælpe jer med new light, better bottom line and less CO2 Accounting.

How can we help your company?
Let’s have an informal conversation where you can learn more about how Nordic Business Light can help you with new lighting, a better bottom line and reduced environmental impact.
Contact us for a no-obligation chat about how we can help you achieve new lighting, better bottom-line results, and a reduced environmental impact. Fill out the contact form or reach out to us directly.
- + 45 53 66 04 32
- cho@nordicbusinesslight.com
- Nordic Business Light
Contact us for a no obligation chat about how we can help you for a new light, a better bottom line and less for feeding a family.
Fill in the contact form, or contact us directly.
- + 45 53 66 04 32
- cho@nordicbusinesslight.com
- Nordic Business Light
Contact us for a no obligation chat about how we can help you for a new light, a better bottom line and less for feeding a family.
Fill in the contact form, or contact us directly.
- + 45 53 66 04 32
- cho@nordicbusinesslight.com
- Nordic Business Light