Surface Design Show announces 2023 theme of 'Shaping Communities'
(UK) – The Surface Design Show has announced the theme of its 2023 edition – Shaping Communities – with an ambition to improve the surroundings for all, through collaboration and meaningful design solutions.
Surface Design Show will take place at London’s Business Design Centre from 7-9 February 2023 allowing architects, designers and specifiers to discover the best in material design for the built environment.
The theme explores an open dialogue amongst industries and brands with the common goal of building stronger relationships between people and places. Where we live and the places in which we spend our time play a huge part in shaping who we are as people. The role our built environment plays within society should inspire new conversations where human experience and a community’s identity are paramount.
Surface Design Show Director Christopher Newton said: “We are seeing rapid change and progress in the design world, with digital platforms showcasing the real power of teamwork. And so, rather than working in isolation we are fully realising the potential of bridging the gap across industries to create long-lasting values that reflect how we want to work, live and communicate within that space.”
The show will highlight how fundamentally important design decisions truly are, not simply for creating aesthetically pleasing areas, but for understanding how our surroundings hold the ability to evoke emotional responses, uncovering how a space can enhance your productivity and mental wellbeing.
It will also turn a focus to the wellbeing of our planet. As much as places need to have a positive impact on people, how buildings affect the environment must also be considered with sustainable practice being imperative to both design and outcomes.
The Main Stage, located on the mezzanine level of the show, will play host to more than 40 speakers during the three days of the show. Several sessions, including Tuesday evening’s Opening Night Debate, will focus on the topic of Shaping Communities. The full programme will be announced in November.
Located at the heart of the show and a recurring highlight of the exhibition, Surface Spotlight Live features innovative and tactile material for visitors to touch and feel, providing a hands-on experience for architects and designers. Curated by trend and colour expert Sally Angharad, Surface Spotlight Live explores the narratives underpinning aesthetic choice, material selection and design ethos. The 2023 selection for Surface Spotlight Live highlights the importance of community and will encourage new exchanges between surfaces as well as industry sectors.
The theme of ‘Shaping Communities’ will unite the various elements of the Show, building on the event’s previous successes and making 2023 its most successful edition yet.
Artistic Licence to be acquired by Robe Lighting
(UK) – Robe Lighting has agreed to acquire Artistic Licence, both companies have announced.
Josef Valchar, CEO of Robe Lighting, said of the news: “This is a great acquisition for Robe. It provides products that complement our own production, and will add value to sales made throughout our global distribution network.”
An important part of the strategic growth for both Robe and its Anolis brands, the purchase from Singularity UK holdings has also enabled an ongoing product design agreement.
“I look forward to helping develop the Artistic Licence business using the significant Robe subsidiary and distributor network,” said Artistic Licence CEO Wayne Howell.
“Artistic Licence was born out of my passion for designing and inventing. Over the years we have expanded and diversified our range, and it is now in a form that I am confident will serve the control infrastructure market for many years to come.
“With the company in a stable and profitable position, it seemed like the ideal time to move on to the next phase of my career. My enthusiasm for inventing has never diminished, and I wanted to have the time to explore new designs and consultancy projects. That said, I will be staying on as co-director of Artistic Licence. The company’s USP is its technical credibility, and Robe are obviously keen to preserve that reputation.”
Valchar continued: “Robe is of course known for moving lights, but lighting technology is interconnected. Time and time again, we find ourselves troubleshooting problems that are nothing to do with our fixtures, but instead related to a bad splitter or faulty network data somewhere upstream. By having control over the infrastructure, we can present our customers with a superior solution that enhances the reliability of the installation.
“Robe and Artistic Licence are both companies with a proud history of independence and private ownership. We are committed to innovation and quality. With these shared fundamental values, we are looking forward to a dynamic and productive ongoing business relationship.”
www.robe.cz
www.artisticlicence.com
BDP opens first USA studio
(USA) – BDP has officially opened a new studio in New York City – its first studio in the USA.
With the opening of the new studio, the practice is now actively operating in the American market, expanding on its existing business to design some of the USA’s future residential developments, retail centres, education buildings, offices and media campuses.
As a global, multidisciplinary practice, BDP hopes to bring designs to the USA market that help investors, developers and occupiers meet environmental, social and governance targets.
Nick Fairham, Chief Executive at BDP, said: “As a continuous collective of socially conscious designers, we are building on our legacy of people-centred, multidisciplinary design and we are excited to bring our practice to New York City, where we can merge development opportunities, world class building design and real social value.
“Our unique ability to adapt and problem solve means we are perfectly placed to bring this kind of unique and important thinking to the city. We want to help design places that bring a better, healthier quality of life for people who live in America’s diverse, active and beautiful cities.”
Rosalind Tsang, BDP’s New York City studio director, added: “Our dynamic multidisciplinary structure combined with more than 60 years international experience gives us a unique insight into the greatest challenges that cities like New York face. Today, our urban environments call for a design approach that cultivates social impact and responds to the climate emergency. BDP has an exceptional track record in these areas across the globe, and we see the opening of our New York City studio as an opportunity to expand our vision to create places that promote wellbeing, inclusivity and sustainable futures.”
Australian artists release new book on light art
(Australia) – Sydney-based artists Ruth McDermott and Ben Baxter are releasing a new book that showcases their innovative and award-winning work in urban light art.
Entitled Between Dark & Light: the light art of Ruth McDermott & Ben Baxter, the book documents more than a decade of their light installation works, brought to life with stunning photography, contributor commentary and reflections from the artists themselves/
The book takes a special focus on the technical aspects of creating, mounting, and displaying their large-scale light installation works, which have been present at Sydney’s Vivid festivals since 2009.
It also examines the history of light art, giving new insight into how the emergence of LED technology in the early 21st century has shaped both design and art practices. As pioneers of urban LED light art, McDermott and Baxter’s work has evolved in tandem with LED technology over the past 10 years, and readers can see how this relationship has enhanced their practice and journey as artists.
Known for creating intriguing site-specific narratives with the landscapes and histories of Sydney, McDermott and Baxter give readers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the artistic process for 18 of their larger installations, giving new meaning to their highly celebrated works and shedding light on how the pair explore the interaction between materials and natural, artificial and found light sources.
The book will be available from UTS ePress from 30 August 2022.
Signify announces first ever on-demand CIBSE accredited CPDs
(Online) – Signify has announced five new CIBSE accredited Continuous Professional Development (CPD) courses aimed at arming specifiers, lighting designers, facilities managers and installers with the knowledge to be able to respond to a range of business needs, from meeting sustainability goals to protection from Covid-19.
Ranging from topics like the correct use of UV-C technology as an added layer for disinfection, to driving better connectivity through lighting the five new CPDs are the first CIBSE accredited CPDs to be provided on demand. The courses are the latest to be added to an existing portfolio of 700 courses on the Signify Lighting Academy, which delivers training to thousands of subscribers.
The trainings are available on demand and at the end of each course, a certificate is generated confirming the CPD hours.
“Continuing professional development is a long-term commitment to undertake the systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and skills. It is about learning and putting into practice new competences year after year and investing in your future,” said John Ashton, a member of the CIBSE CPD panel.
“The on-demand digital CPDs are a great initiative by Signify to enable installers, specifiers and the whole community to learn about the latest technologies and innovations and move with the times, as this also aligns closely with our agenda at CIBSE. I encourage other members to also introduce more digital CPDs on an ongoing basis.”
Simon Greenwood, Sales Director, Trade and Specification at Signify UK&I, added: “We are proud to work closely with CIBSE to provide the first ever on-demand digital CPDs, offering the trade community continuous learning and development, on the go and playing our part in making the industry grow.
“It is our aim to create a complete programme of CPDs covering the entire spectrum of lighting. We see it as an important part of our role to increase knowledge and raise technical standards for the lighting industry. These CPDs also affirm our dedication to developing long-term partnerships with our customers and supporting them in delivering their lighting visions – from design through to installation and maintenance as these CPDs meet a pressing need for up-to-date guidance on the latest technology and legislation.”
DW Windsor Heritage Lighting Range
DW Windsor has expanded its heritage lighting range to include tunable white technology, warmer colour temperature options, Bluetooth wireless control and improved LED efficiency. Two tunable white transition ranges – 3000-2200K or 4000-2700K – mean closer control of colour and intensity of light, while the warmer temperatures to the COB light engines offer a smoother transition from the former sodium bulbs typically associated with heritage lanterns. The upgraded luminaires now achieve up to 180lm/W – a 20% increase compared to existing options.
Lumolamp Gamma
The Gamma system is an elegant lighting system, specifically designed for public spaces. A combination of luminous tubes connected with precious metal details give the structure a distinctive character. The modularity of the system enables its exact fit into designated spaces. The most characteristic detail of this concept is a metal sling that, highlighted by subtle lighting, creates an evocative atmosphere of the place unattainable by traditional methods of lighting.
LEDiL Adelia
Adelia aluminium reflectors combine stunning high-quality aesthetics with premium light quality. With a beautiful shiny finish, the surface of these innovative reflectors is optimised to show no greyness or haze, ensuring an aesthetically beautiful look. Fitting seamlessly into beautiful lighting designs, Adelia takes track and downlight concepts to new heights. A perfect complement to LEDiL’s assortment of premium retail lenses and reflectors..
OneEightyOne D-Series
OneEightyOne has upgraded the D-Series. The pixel linear is available in RGB, RGBW (3000K or 4000K) and tunable white (2700-5500K). Every single LED is individually controllable. The fixture has a pixel pitch of 25mm. With 60 fps data transfer, super smooth colour changes are assured. Due to 48V input voltage long runs can be achieved. With its durable IP66 rated housing, this product is suitable for every façade lighting project.
LightGraphix LD51
All of LightGraphix’s products are developed with glare control in mind, and the company is constantly evolving the ways in which it can improve this. As well as its existing half cowl, a full anti-glare cowl is now available on its LD51 miniature spotlight, helping to reduce glare from all angles. This cowl can be painted in any of LightGraphix’s standard, or custom RAL wet spray colours.
Hacel Cenaro
A unique and creative wall light, Cenaro is available in a choice of lumen outputs, delivering up to 2970 lumens with efficacies of up to 131lm/W. Cenaro illustrates a seamless combination of curved, softly diffused opal polycarbonate and structured steel, creatively blended to offer a distinctively stylish LED wall light. Presenting a perfect balance of both uplight and downlight, Cenaro is available with the latest wireless lighting controls via an app, enabling users to interact with lighting to suit their individual, group, or special requirements.
LEDFlex Rigid Grazer
Rigid Grazer is the latest addition to LEDFlex’s portfolio of lighting solutions. The non-encapsulated, rigid PCB offers long and seamless runs of fixture, ensuring a flawless grazing finish to any interior. Available in single and dual beam angles of 20°, 30°, 20x45° and 110x70°, Rigid Grazer offers a wider pitch, leading to higher efficiency for long term use, due to a reduction in power consumption. It is also available in a comprehensive range of colour temperatures, spanning 2600-6500K.
