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The Belfry zencontrol uk

The Belfry Hotel & Resort

Location:

Sutton Coldfield, England

M&E Contractor:

SES

M&E Consultant:

Hoare Lea

Project Overview

Set in the heart of the West Midlands, The Belfry Hotel & Resort is an internationally recognised destination for luxury hospitality, conferences, and high-profile events. As part of an upgrade to the Ballroom – one of the resort’s most versatile and frequently used spaces, the brief was clear: deliver a flexible, intuitive lighting control solution capable of supporting everything from corporate conferences to gala dinners and weddings, all while enhancing the overall guest experience.

The Challenge

The Ballroom needed a lighting system that could effortlessly adapt to a wide variety of events, moods, and layouts. This required precise dimming, seamless colour control, and the ability for staff to quickly recall pre-set lighting scenes without technical complexity. Reliability, future scalability, and ease of operation were essential, given the demanding operational environment of a premium hospitality venue.

The Solution

zencontrol delivered a fully DALI-2–based lighting control solution tailored specifically to the needs of The Belfry’s Ballroom. The system is built around zencontrol DALI-2 Application Controllers, providing robust, addressable control across all connected luminaires.

The luminaires themselves are equipped with either DALI-2 or DALI-2 DT8 RGBW drivers, depending on application, enabling smooth dimming, precise colour tuning, and consistent performance throughout the space. This allows the lighting to transition seamlessly from warm, elegant tones for evening events to vibrant, dynamic colour scenes for special occasions.

At the heart of the user experience is the zencontrol Smart Switch Display. Designed with simplicity and flexibility in mind, the touchscreen interface allows venue staff to instantly recall customised lighting scenes or adjust colour using an intuitive colour-wheel page. This puts creative control directly into the hands of the operator, without the need for specialist training.

Why DALI?

DALI was chosen for this project due to its proven reliability and its ability to deliver highly flexible, fully addressable lighting control – an ideal fit for a multifunctional space like The Belfry Ballroom. The use of DALI-2 and DALI-2 DT8 ensures seamless interoperability between devices, consistent dimming behaviour, and accurate colour control across all luminaires, regardless of manufacturer.

As an open-standard platform, DALI also simplifies commissioning and ongoing maintenance, while providing a future-proof foundation that can easily accommodate changes or expansions over time.

Key Benefits

  • Flexible scene control to support a wide range of events and atmospheres
  • Advanced colour tuning and HCL capability using DALI-2 DT8 RGBW drivers
  • Intuitive user interface via the zencontrol Smart Switch Display
  • Reliable, open-standard architecture ensuring interoperability and long-term scalability
  • Simplified operation and maintenance, ideal for a busy hospitality environment

The Result

The completed lighting control system transforms The Belfry’s Ballroom into a truly adaptable, experience-led space. With powerful yet user-friendly controls, staff can create the perfect lighting environment in seconds, enhancing guest comfort and elevating the overall look and feel of every event. The project demonstrates how intelligent, standards-based lighting control can add tangible value to premium hospitality venues.