David Morgan Review: K-scape Rail
Combining light and sound, the new Rail system from K-scape merges a miniature sound system within a linear light fixture. David Morgan takes a closer look at Rail to see how effective the pairing is.
One of the common traps in new product development is to try combining a number of different functions together in one product in the belief that the combination will achieve more than the sum of the parts. The danger is that, far from achieving synergy, the combined product does not perform any of the functions as well as the individual ones.
K-array, the Italian manufacturer of professional audio equipment, seems to have avoided this problem with its new Rail system, which combines lighting with a high-quality sound system.
K-array, based near Florence was originally founded in Mugello, Tuscany in 1990 by Alessandro Tatini, his father Carlo, and Massimo Ferrati as an audio and lighting service company that offered design solutions for theatres, cinemas, town squares, and events. The problems involved in handling and transporting heavy PA equipment for live events lead to the idea of creating slim and ultra-compact loudspeakers capable of reproducing high quality sound without the weight of traditional products. Since then, K-array has developed a variety of innovative miniaturised audio products including the remarkable Anakonda flexible linear loudspeaker system with modules that can be linked together to produce a 64-metre-long loudspeaker with a profile of only 50x30mm.
It is understood that K-array manufactures its components in Italy and has local suppliers in Tuscany, which is very unusual for the audio industry. K-array products are designed so that at least 80% of materials used can be recycled at the end of life.
One of the latest product developments from K-array is the Rail system, combining a miniature sound system with a linear lighting system. To give Rail a good chance of commercial success, a new division, K-scape, was created with the mission of putting people at the heart of design by merging technologies such as light and sound, which it says will lead to “a more immersive human centric experience to improve its connection with buildings and interiors” for everyday use.
According to Tom Riby, Global Sales and Marketing Manager of K-scape, the initial idea for the Rail system was born while K-array was developing a rigid version of its Anakonda loudspeaker that could connect up to 46 lines of audio. Alessandro Tatini, K-array’s Co-Founder, CEO, and President of Research and Development, had a moment of revelation that Riby summed up in a single question: “We were invading the space of light, so why not explore merging the two worlds together?” And so it was, with audio specialist K-array taking its first steps into the world of lighting.
The Rail system is modular and consists of two extruded 1.2-metre aluminium sections. Overall dimensions are only 35x92mm. The upper extrusion houses the uplight and three downward pointing 1x5-inch full-range cone loudspeakers along with connection and suspension components. The lower extrusion is fixed centrally, leaving a linear gap on either side for the sound to escape. This lower extrusion can house a linear downlight, an array of lensed downlight modules or a low voltage track system into which adjustable spotlights can be attached.
The light engines were developed in conjunction with Nichia and consist of very tight pitch mid power LEDs. With 270 LEDs per metre, an almost dot-free lit effect is produced. A combination of satin silver side reflectors and a number of optical film inserts provide medium beam, diffuse wide or asymmetric distributions. A combination of linear downlight and an array of lensed downlight modules is also an option.
At the moment, only 3000K 90 CRI LEDs are offered. The downward light engine provides up to 3,680 lumens with a power consumption of 33W for the 1.2-metre-long luminaire. The uplight is available with either 3000K or RGB light engines.
The spotlights are also only available with 3000K 90 CRI LEDs and provide up to 501 lumens. A 15° spot and a 25° medium beam version are the only options at the moment. All the lighting elements, including the spotlights, are individually controllable with DALI.
The Rail system is designed to be surface mounted to the ceiling or wall, suspended on airplane wire, semi-recessed or fully recessed into the ceiling.
T and L connectors are available in three lengths to create grid layouts of the system. Finishes for the metal work are standard satin white and black or custom RAL colour powder coat.
Alessandro Tatini and the R&D team at K-array worked on the design and development of the Rail system from 2018 and it was first launched in 2020.
The technology required to produce the very small loudspeakers is quite new and has allowed the overall size of the Rail system to be reduced to such a small size.
The target markets for the Rail system are understood to include offices, retail outlets and museums where the combination of light with sound will be most useful.
According to K-array, the Rail system will reduce product costs by up to 25%, up to 52% on installation costs and also reduce power consumption by up to 35% compared to using separate lighting and sound systems.
The Rail system is a nicely designed and manufactured system, though I did not have the opportunity to fully test the quality of the sound output. It will be interesting to see how easily K-scape is able to penetrate its target markets in competition with the existing multitude of available luminaires. For some projects having a combined sound and light product would be the ideal solution, but would the lighting designer also then be responsible for the audio design? I would imagine that each of the target applications will require a wider range of light source options for power, colour temperature and distribution to meet the likely project requirements. Custom luminaire lengths will also be needed to fill the range of building sizes along with glare control accessories and a wider range of dimming protocols. The Rail system incorporates quite a wide range of options, but it may need to expand on these to be specified on many projects.
Do We Need a Lighting Detox for Sustainable Cities in the 21st Century?
In this article, Dr. Karolina M.Zielinska-Dabkowska looks at relearning our connection to light and dark in context of sustainability, climate change and urban lighting.
In the context of the current climate change emergency caused by greenhouse gases emitted by human activities [1] and recent natural disasters such as hurricanes, typhoons, floods, droughts, or wildfires - sustainability defined as “the quality of causing little or no damage to the environment …” [2] should be an important aspect to be addressed by sustainable cities.
Since the establishment of the 17th Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [3], which includes 169 associated targets by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, various perspectives on sustainable cities have been developed and adopted in order to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
However, after review, these goals appear to be limited, as they haven’t taken into account the growing body of results from lighting-related research in diverse fields such as: environmental sciences, biology, medicine, and astronomy on the impact of light pollution from outdoor illumination, especially the effects caused by new LED light sources on humans, flora, and fauna.
When the 2014 Nobel Prize for Physics was awarded for the “invention of efficient blue light emitting diodes [LEDs], which enabled bright, white, energy saving light sources” [4], the general public gained the impression that this new lighting technology would contribute to a more sustainable future for cities. As municipalities around the globe quickly convert their current functional and decorative external lighting to LED in an attempt to conserve energy and save money, other key factors are overlooked.
Although, the World Economic and Social Survey 2013 addresses energy efficiency as an environmental management pillar for sustainable cites [5], nevertheless, Our Common Future, also known as the Brundtland Report, published in 1987, defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” [6] This means going beyond energy savings by addressing additional elements. Also, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development from 1992, which was seen as a guide for future sustainable development of countries and cities in principle 4, states that “In order to achieve sustainable development, environmental protection shall constitute an integral part of the development process and cannot be considered in isolation from it.” [7]
Until recently, not many people related outdoor illumination as an indirect contributor to environmental degradation and climate change, but recent studies and environmental reports link them together. For example, burning fossil fuels, which is a main contributor to global warming, has an impact on Earth’s increased temperature, and the use of fossil fuels has been used to produce electricity for outdoor illumination (up to 20% of the world’s electricity production is consumed by electrical light sources) [8]. Urban illumination (compared to rural areas with no outdoor lighting) directly impacts the climate change in cities, with spring seasons commencing earlier as the photoperiod of illuminated trees and plants is extended and their leaves bud prematurely [9]. Also, they do not lose their leaves in time for winter. This causes them to get weaker and less healthy, so they become an easy target for climate change flooding and pests. The health of trees and plants is important because they play a critical role in cities, counteracting air pollution by converting carbon dioxide into breathable air [10], they also reduce noise, lower the urban heat islands in cities, and they create important ecosystems for various organisms such as birds, insects, and mammals such as bats. The nighttime outdoor illumination of streets, buildings and urban parks also attracts insects and hastens their decline [11]. Many of these insects are crucial for the pollinating process, and without this process humans and ecosystems would not survive as 80% of food production requires pollination by other living organisms [12]. Exposure during the nighttime to blue-rich white light has numerous adverse effects on the environment, leading to problems with reproduction, the avoidance of suitable habitats, changes in seasonal migration routes and a reduction in numbers or even the extinction of certain species. Various animals like birds are attracted towards artificial lighting during migration periods, resulting in collisions with buildings and structures that can cause injury or death. Recent data indicates that around 600 species of breeding birds have been lost in European Union countries between 1980 and the present day [13]. Fish like young salmon migrate through streams, rivers, and estuaries to the ocean. These fish migrate at night cued by illumination levels, and this timing is designed to reduce predation. When attracted to illuminated urban bridges, fish become an easy target to predators such as birds and other animals, and as a consequence, their chances of survival are greatly reduced [14-15]. Nocturnal animals such as urban bats can also be negatively impacted by exterior illumination as this causes a delay or prevents the emergence from their roosts, affecting the feeding behaviour, and changing commuting and foraging routes [16]. Bats are important nighttime natural predators (insect hunters), as they make it possible to limit the use of toxic insecticides in agriculture and forests, and their presence indicates a strong, healthy, and stable natural ecosystem [17]. Also, improperly designed outdoor illumination of human settlements such as seaside condominiums, houses and hotels along beaches discourages female sea turtles from nesting, and it attracts young sea turtle hatchlings away from the sea, which decreases their chance of survival [18]. All of this can directly contribute to biodiversity loss, which is crucial for human existence and wellbeing [19-20]. The Living Planet Report, published in 2020 by The World Wildlife Fund revealed that in the last half century, vertebrate species have declined by an average of 70% [21]. It is also believed that new LED technology with high emissions of blue wavelengths of light might be the potential origin of certain chronic diseases in human beings, including cancer [22]. Today, 83% of the human population lives under light polluted skies [23], and the blue component of outdoor lighting increases light pollution much more than older lighting technology (the S/P ratio of 4000K LEDs shows they increase light pollution by 170%), completely prohibiting urban astronomy [24].
Urban lighting in sustainable cities
I have identified eight key aspects of urban lighting in sustainable cities, based on my research: Social; Safety, Security and Wayfinding; Cultural and Heritage; Environmental; Regulatory and Legal; Nighttime Economy; Public Health and Wellbeing; and Technological (Figure 2). Many of these aspects have not been taken into consideration by the UN Agenda 2030 [25]. Therefore, it is proposed that the goal SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable [26] is updated to address these key aspects, including the mitigation proposals for the numerous adverse impacts caused by artificial lighting at night (ALAN) on public health, wellbeing, and the environment.
Social
Urban lighting should support the active use of public spaces in cities by residents and visitors during the evenings and early nights, by improving its liveability and social relationships within the urban community, regardless of gender, age, race or economic status.
Safety, Security and Wayfinding
Urban lighting should provide safety and visual reassurance in cities for elderly residents and visitors, supporting their orientation and wayfinding by guiding them around outdoor environments and public spaces with the help of appropriate lighting.
Cultural and Heritage
Decorative urban lighting should facilitate appreciation for the cultural value of the built heritage via the sensitive illumination of buildings façades, monument, structures, and artefacts to give them identities after dark.
Environmental
Urban lighting should respect not only human needs but also the natural environment including flora and fauna by reducing light pollution, and questioning what kind of urban illumination is needed, as well as where it is needed and when. It is also important to preserve humanity’s right to have visibility of the dark night sky and celestial bodies as an ancestral global common, and to also enable continual professional and amateur nighttime observations.
Regulatory and Legal
Urban lighting should be properly regulated in the form of soft and hard laws, and it should also be monitored in order to counteract artificial light pollution and its negative impact.
Nighttime Economy
Urban lighting should support nocturnal activities including tourism, retail and hospitality.
Public Health and Wellbeing
Properly designed urban lighting should take into consideration public health and wellbeing by avoiding over illumination, light trespass into the windows, balconies and gardens of residential properties, and glare, all of which can desynchronise circadian rhythms, resulting in insomnia and hormonal imbalance.
Technological
Urban lighting should save energy by using energy efficient light sources, along with luminaires that integrate proper optical design, have an appropriate light spectrum, and employ smart lighting control systems. Also, it should include aspects such as a circular economy, and the re-use and recycling of lighting equipment. Moreover, urban lighting should apply other forms of natural and inexhaustible energy such as solar energy to power the outdoor illumination of our cities.
Lighting Detox required
Currently, there seem to be an uncoordinated explosion of vividly coloured and bright outdoor illumination on building façades, in parks, and in the streetscape of many cities around the world. Many urban planners and architects appear to have discovered the new design possibilities of this new medium, overlooking the importance of thinking holistically about environmental aspects. And some lighting professionals may be unaware of the negative impact their urban illumination can cause, if not properly designed, which necessitates a serious rethink of their design approach. Unfortunately, the new knowledge of the impact of artificial lighting on humans, flora, and fauna is rarely available to them, the reason being that researchers work in isolation and do not share the findings of their scientific work with those who design cities and the lighting. However, some luminaire manufacturers recognise the importance of collaborating with researchers and lighting professionals and the need to develop new tools, as well as lighting solutions to support the safety and wellbeing of humans, flora, and fauna. Yet this process to develop appropriate solutions is not immediate. And although responsible lighting advocates are informed and knowledgeable about the various challenges, they are rarely invited to be part of the design process. Although city representatives are aware that they need to make choices that are beneficial in a long run, not only for people, but also for nature and animals, the process to coordinate all the stakeholders involved can often be overwhelming and complex.
With the recent climate change emergency and environmental degradation, it is now urgent to apply different than traditional, people-centred development approaches. To protect the future of humanity, planet Earth, and to transform our world into a healthier environment, a new paradigm shift in the form of Lighting Detox (Detoxing from too much applied light in our urban and natural environments) is urgently required.
In December 2021, the UN Human Rights Council recognised for the first time, that having a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right [28]. So, other targets could possibly be included into the Sustainable Development Goals, such as protecting access to dark skies and reducing light pollution in order to preserve this common ancestral heritage shared by humanity, as well as helping safeguard the health and wellbeing of humans, flora, and fauna by the application of responsible outdoor lighting at night (ROLAN) or no exterior lighting in Urban Natural Areas, such as parks and open spaces in any city, which are not only essential for humans, but for many other species too.
References
1. European Commission, Caused of climate change. Available online: https://bit.ly/38UCr8T (accessed on 29 December 2021).
2. Cambridge Dictionary, Sustainability. Available online: https://bit.ly/3k237XL (accessed on 29 December 2021).
3. United Nations, The 17 Goals. Available online: https://bit.ly/3EC5Oc8 (accessed on 29 December 2021).
4. The Nobel Prize in Physics 2014. Available online:https://bit.ly/38cyE6I (accessed on 29 December 2021).
5. United Nations, World Economic and Social Survey 2013. Available online: https://bit.ly/3EzgZ5c (accessed on 29 December 2021).
6. United Nations, Sustainability. Available online: https://bit.ly/3Otxt3e (accessed on 29 December 2021).
7. Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. Available online: https://bit.ly/3rGkQIB (accessed on 29 December 2021).
8. Zissis, G. Energy Consumption and Environmental and Economic Impact of Lighting: The Current Situation. In: Karlicek, R., Sun, CC.; Zissis, G.; Ma, R. (eds) Handbook of Advanced Lighting Technology. Springer, Cham, 2016. https://bit.ly/3v2hmSC
9. Meng, L. Green with phenology. Science, 2021,374 6571, 1065-1066.
10. The effects of urban trees on air quality. Available online: https://bit.ly/3L5U83J (accessed on 29 December 2021).
11. Boyes, D.H.; Evans, D.; Fox, R.; Parsons, M.S.; Pocock, M.J. Street lighting has detrimental impacts on local insect populations. Science Advances, 2021, 7.
12. Why is Pollination Important?. Available online: https://bit.ly/3K34ik7 (accessed on 29 December 2021).
13. New report reveals huge declines in Europe’s birds. Available online: https://bit.ly/37sCUit (accessed on 29 December 2021).
14. Some Like It Dark: Light Pollution And Salmon Survival. Available online: https://bit.ly/37E4OrA (accessed on 29 December 2021).
15. Artificial Lighting Impacts to Salmon in WRIA 8 Briefing Memo. Available online: https://bit.ly/3v1YXFy (accessed on 29 December 2021).
16. Zielinska-Dabkowska, K.M.; Bobkowska, K.; Szlachetko, K. An Impact Analysis of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) on Bats. A Case Study of the Historic Monument and Natura 2000 Wisłoujście Fortress in Gdansk, Poland. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 11327.
17. Ecological and economic importance of bats. Available online: https://bit.ly/3vBsK6T (accessed on 29 December 2021).
18. Kamrowski, R.L.; Limpus, C.; Moloney, J.; Hamann, M. Coastal light pollution and marine turtles: Assessing the magnitude of the problem. Endanger. Species Res. 2012, 19, 85–98.
19. A Report of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Available online: https://bit.ly/3L4o0NT (accessed on 29 December 2021).
20. World Health Organization. Biodiversity and Health. Available online: https://bit.ly/3xMRITF (accessed on 29 December 2021).
21. World Wide Fund For Nature. Living planet report 2020. Available online: https://bit.ly/3KfIWAp (accessed on 29 December 2021).
22. Zielinska-Dabkowska, K.M. Make lighting healthier. Nature 2018, 553, 274–276.
23. Our nights are getting brighter, and Earth is paying the price. Available online: https://on.natgeo.com/3v3bvwz (accessed on 29 December 2021).
24. LED lighting and dark skies. Available online: https://bit.ly/36xrLwa (accessed on 29 December 2021).
25. United Nations, Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Available online: https://bit.ly/3vA2R7v (accessed on 29 December 2021).
26. Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Available online: Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (accessed on 29 December 2021).
27. Zielinska-Dabkowska, K.M.; Bobkowska. Rethinking Sustainable Cities at Night: Paradigm Shifts in Urban Design and City Lighting. Sustainability 2022 (in print).
28. United Nations. Access to a healthy environment, declared a human right by UN rights council Available online: https://bit.ly/3Oodi6S (accessed on 29 December 2021).
The Gilbert & One Lackington, UK
Unibox supplied bespoke ceiling lightboxes for the transformative redevelopment of one of London’s premier Arc Deco buildings.
Unibox worked alongside London-based architects, Stiff + Trevillion, to design, engineer and manufacture a series of custom LED lightboxes for the ambitious project to refurbish and modernise The Gilbert & One Lackington. The 200,000sqft site in the heart of Finsbury is one of the capital’s best examples of 1930s architecture and provides premium office facilities and social spaces to the businesses that are shaping the future of global commerce.
Using its familiarity of the legal and logistical criteria to which all commercial developments are held, Unibox advised that the lightboxes should be engineered using DXNR diffusers – a type of fire-retardant polycarbonate that boasts one of the best light transmission percentages, thereby maximising the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the building when in use. The lightboxes also include dimmable LEDs to allow tenants to adjust light levels to their individual preferences, an integrated emergency lighting system and access hatches to allow for routine maintenance of the onsite M&E plant.
To uphold the development’s environmental objectives and ensure it would succeed in meeting the BREEAM standard of “Very Good”, Unibox took great care to incorporate sustainable materials and technologies into the design of the lightboxes from the outset. Each of the 12sqm lightboxes operates using energy-efficient LED modules and recyclable aluminium profiles – a significant proportion of which is from recycled sources – to limit the building’s carbon footprint and reduce the quantities of raw materials in circulation. The lightboxes sit alongside a carefully curated scheme of fixtures and construction processes that, together, prevented the production of 52,000 TCO2.
To complement a palette of warm, brassy finishes and crisp, geometric lines, Unibox produced prototypes in a range of different material and LED specifications to fill its client with the confidence that, once installed, the lightboxes would sit as a natural extension of the building’s stylised interior design scheme.
An exquisite fusion of old and new, The Gilbert pays homage to the original building’s rich heritage. Unibox worked in close collaboration with Stiff + Trevillion to ensure that the lightboxes supplied for main reception area of each floor embodied the opulence and idealism for which the Art Deco period was renowned whilst delivering the optimum Lux levels required by modern tenants.
Stiff + Trevillion celebrated its experience of partnering with Unibox on this project, commenting that: “The lightboxes are absolutely fantastic, and the reception has been described as a ‘knock-out’ space. The client is thrilled with the result, as are we, and the response from the agents so far has been brilliant.”
Unibox: The Gilbert & One Lackington
Unibox partnered with architectural firm, Stiff + Trevillion, supplying a series of bespoke LED ceiling lightboxes for the redevelopment of one of London’s premier Art Deco buildings – The Gilbert & One Lackington. Future-orientated materials and lighting technologies blend seamlessly with the original building’s 1930s heritage to create 200,000sqft of premium commercial lets that are equipped to meet the demands of modern businesses whilst upholding the values of today’s world.
IALD host worldwide Chase the Dark Event
(Worldwide) – On 24 March, the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), held its annual Chase the Dark event, inviting designers around the world to get together both in person and virtually to celebrate the power of light.
The annual event begins in Australia, and makes its way across each time zone moving west, to create a 24-hour celebration, in which the 35 regions and chapters of the association can come together.
This year, the theme of “Only Light Where You Need It” encouraged participants to use light wisely, with as little impact to the environment as possible – as such, participants played with the characteristics of UV light to create artistic paintings and sculptures using a range of reactive materials.
As with previous years, social media played a large part in the event, with participants sharing their work on Instagram, using the hashtag #ialdchasedark.
Speaking of the event, the IALD said: “Light pollution, energy waste and sustainable manufacturing are problems that need to be addressed within the lighting community. The role of the lighting designer is crucial to educate and design solutions to minimise disruption and deliver sustainable solutions. The IALD is working together with policy makers, manufacturers and education establishments on best practices for environmental sustainability.”
Search #ialdchasedark on Instagram to see this year’s Chase the Dark efforts.
ROLAN 2022 online conference announced for 12-13 May
Bringing together the industry’s foremost researchers and practitioners, the Society of Light and Lighting (SLL) and Assistant Professor Dr. Karolina M. Zielinska‐Dabkowska, ILLUME/Gdańsk University of Technology, Poland are launching the inaugural international Responsible Outdoor Lighting at Night (ROLAN) conference. Taking place online on 12 – 13 May 2022, ROLAN 2022 is a two‐day online conference designed to facilitate much‐needed collaboration and the support necessary to improve lighting practice and to enhance research, as well as providing networking opportunities between practitioners, researchers and manufacturers.
The conference will utilise the immense depth of knowledge, expertise, and innovation of an international panel of speakers, presenting unique perspectives from lighting and related disciplines and research areas. Aiming to broaden horizons, increase understanding, and improve communication between researchers, lighting professionals for the benefit of the environment and society as a whole.
Organisers are hopeful that the event will offer an outstanding occasion for lighting professionals, architects, town planners, landscape designers, lighting manufacturers, local authorities, ecologists, and researchers to keep up‐to‐date with recent findings. Much has changed since the introduction of LED lighting, and it is necessary to reduce its impact on all aspects of the environment.
The programme includes 31 renowned speakers from across Australia, Europe and the United States, covering a range of expertise specialisms such as lighting design, environmental science, biology, astronomy, medical science and legal aspects. The talks have been divided into four dedicated sessions: Losing our dark nights; Best lighting practice(s) to reduce light pollution; Light pollution legal aspects; and the impact of light exposure at night on the environment and humans.
In developing the programme, the organisers contacted leading figures from the industry to gauge their response to the proposed topic.
Mark Major, Senior Partner, Speirs Major, said: “We need artificial light as a society, but how do we balance its use with the environmental impact that it creates? How do we reduce energy use, light pollution, ecological damage and electronic waste, whilst continuing to create great experiences for people after dark? These are just some of challenges that confront us, not only in the future but right now. I really look forward to participating in the debate about new ways of working with outdoor lighting at night.”
Florence Lam, Global Lighting Design Director, Arup, said: "We need to shift our lighting design paradigm towards a humanity‐centric approach. This entails designing with the long‐term health and wellbeing of people, place and planet in mind, harmonising the symbiotic relationship between humans and biodiversity."
Allan Howard, Group Technical Director Lighting and Energy Solutions, WSP, said: "I am delighted to have been invited to speak at the Responsible Outdoor Lighting at Night inaugural conference regarding obtrusive light. The application of all forms of artificial light at night is an important global topic, not just with respect to dark skies but within all environments through to city centres. The more we can raise the importance of good lighting design undertaken by competent designers to protect the environment, the better."
The ROLAN 2022 organisers would like to thank the conference Founding Partners: International Dark‐Sky Association (IDA), International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), ILLUME, Institute of Lighting Professionals (ILP), and Society of Light and Lighting, who begin this important paradigm shift together. Members of Founding Partners can access the conference at SLL member rate.
For more details including: speakers, programme and registration, visit: www.cibse.org/ROLAN22
Lutron unveils Prismatic in UK roadshow
(UK) – Lutron Electronics has introduced its new Lutron By Design Experience – Prismatic – to the lighting design community with two interactive events across the UK.
First hosted at Manchester Cathedral, and then at the Tate Modern in London’s Bankside district, the events allowed the UK’s architecture and design community to experiment with light in a bespoke, iridescent cube fit out with Lutron lighting and controls. The interplay of light and iridescent colour delivered an immersive experience for the designers.
During the events, guests were able to get hands-on time with the Lutron Lighting Designer App, to play with the system and save their lighting creations for the pop-up structure.
Prismatic is made possible by the Athena solution – Lutron’s simple and flexible lighting and shading control solution that puts the power to personalise light in the hands of designers and end users. Athena marries best-in-class control, unparalleled flexibility, and simple app-based setup in a lighting and blinds control solution that is ideally suited to handle the evolving needs of commercial spaces throughout the world.
“Lutron launched in the 1960s with the aim of creating technology that would enable individuals to control light, inventing the dimmer switch,” said Nicolla Farry, Specification Sales Supervisor at Lutron Electronics. “For 60 years we have been striving to provide the perfect light to our users. Prismatic provides lighting designers and the design community at large with the ability to manipulate light and experience first-hand the potential of Athena.”
Following the Manchester and London events, Prismatic will continue in Madrid, Paris, and Milan starting in April 2022.
Workshop Heads revealed for Lights in Alingsås 2022
(Sweden) – Organisers of Lights in Alingsås have announced the Workshop Heads for the 2022 event.
Returning for its 23rd year, workshop heads for this year’s light festival include: Mieke Goessling; Jonathan Plumpton; Kay Flounders; Martina Alagna; Berry van Egten and Ellen Goulmy; and Michaela Bonzi and Frank Seemann.
For the first time since before the pandemic, the annual light festival was able to invite the workshop heads to a concept meeting in the Swedish town of Alingsås this month. During the weekend-long session the theme for this year’s event was introduced, and the designers were able to walk the lighting trail for the first time, before choosing the locations that they wish to illuminate this autumn – the theme and route will be officially revealed later in the spring.
Having already been a workshop head in 2008, Berry van Egten said: “Lights in Alingsås is a beautiful place, which Ellen and I visit every year. We love the town and the concept of the event – we love to teach and inspire the participants with our love for lighting.”
Kay Flounders added: “The opportunity to be involved with Lights in Alingsås is so special. To bring lighting designers and students from around the world together to produce an event that allows people to be immersed in light is something truly wonderful.”
Find out more about the workshop heads here.
Michael Grubb Studio partners with Arts University Bournemouth
(UK) - Michael Grubb Studio has announced a new collaboration with Arts University Bournemouth. The team will be sharing its expert and lived experiences with students on the BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design course by delivering the lighting design content as part of their syllabus.
Across each of the three years of the course, students will be given presentations and undertake hands-on lighting workshops. The strategy for the talks has been curated around three key principles – Inspire, Create, and Implement, which will be taught to first, second and third years respectively.
The goal is that this new partnership will offer increased benefits to the degree students, with more consistent and regular support and input from the prominent lighting design practice.
Michael Grubb Studio’s Project Lighting Designer, Isabelle Lane, has been integral in the collaboration. Isabelle has primarily managed and delivered the workshops and talks, supported by Grubb and other members of the team. In addition, she has overseen the creation of the teaching strategy, been the liaison point between the two organisations and created the content for delivery to the students.
Lane said: “Myself, Michael and the team feel honoured to be delivering the lighting design elements of this respected design degree.”
Grubb added: “Being so close to the Arts University Bournemouth, and with many of our team members having studied at the establishment, it is incredibly exciting to be supporting students throughout their course and potentially welcoming some of them into the lighting design community once they have graduated. It also offers my team the opportunity to hone their presentation and engagement skills, which is key part of what we do. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement, and I am delighted to support.”
The presentations and workshops will be brought to life with examples and imagery from Michael Grubb Studio’s portfolio. In addition, the students will learn about the lighting design projects undertaken by Michael Grubb Studio at the Arts University Bournemouth itself, which includes a site Lighting Masterplan, Plot Q Student Accommodation and forthcoming Palace Court Theatre.
Bolstering the collaboration, a placement student from the Interior Architecture and Design degree will be joining the team at the Studio soon. This individual will benefit from hands-on experience and learning from the experienced team.
Michael Cavagin, Senior Lecturer for BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design at Arts University Bournemouth, said: “The course has always been held in high regard across the design industries and beyond.
“However, we recognised the need to provide a specific focus on lighting design and have taken the decision to include three stages of development into the Interior Architecture and Design degree.
“We feel very privileged to have the team from Michael Grubb Studio teaching our students. The practice is a shining example of how an independent studio can rise up through the ranks to become an internationally recognised name, and one that clients aspire to work with.”
Architect@Work to return to London this April
(UK) – Architect@Work will be making its return to The Truman Brewery, London, from 13-14 April.
Showcasing more than 70 international brands across multiple sectors, the show has a whole host of new product launches for visitors to explore this year, making it the go-to event for architects, designers and specifiers.
Lighting continues to have a strong presence at Architect@Work, with a selection of Italian lighting manufacturers partaking in the show. CoeLux, which specialises in an optical system based on nano technology to artificially reproduce the natural light and visual appearance of the sun and sky, will bring its Sky Line series to the event.
Auralis will launch Filo Flex, a new range of flexible, architectural lighting fixtures for both the exterior and interior, offering a continuous light – either in straight lines or in sharp bends – to emphasise all the possible shapes. Meanwhile, Florence-based Targetti will present 3F Solo. Conceived by 3F Filippi’s optical laboratory, 3F Solo enables the light to diffuse into a space in a soft, non-blinding way. Its complex shape with horizontal grooves create a symmetry that makes the body of the luminaire lighter when switched on.
This year’s Architect@Work also sees exhibitors joining from Belgium. Bega will demo its Architectural Lighting Management System (ALMS), Bega Connect. Expanding the possibilities of professional light control, Bega Connect allows its users to control, plan and monitor individual luminaires from any location via an intuitive app.
Also from Belgium is Wever & Ducré, which will bring Strex to the event. A 48-volt track system, Strex combines spotlights, pendulums, opal insets and multi-dot insets, while clicking into place anywhere on the profile without tools. This latest innovation uses LED track lighting and pendant lights to avoid bulky converter housings.
German manufacturer TTC will showcase its LED-Lightline 40.30, powered by ADO-Lights. The lightline can be integrated in façades and floor spaces, with customisable length, height and light output. Suitable for outdoor use, it can be walkable and drivable. With the use of LED boards instead of LED strips, it also offers a high lumen output without the glare.
Also present at Architect@Work will be Austrian company, XAL. Its rope-like, highly flexible LED luminaire, Jane is made of food-safe silicone and can be arranged into custom patterns with ceiling clips and cable holders. With a homogeneous light distribution, and a diameter of only 18m, it can be installed in both small and large projects.
Other lighting exhibitors at the event include Linea Light, Penta, Lightnet, Landa and Lodes.
Planning underway for Light + Building 2022
(Germany) – With the new target firmly in sight, planning for the Light + Building Autumn Edition from 2 to 6 October 2022 is in full swing.
More than 1,300 exhibitors from 46 countries are already lined up in autumn for the restart of the lighting and building technology sector in Frankfurt am Main.
“In the last few weeks, we have contacted all exhibitors at Light + Building and talked about the possibilities for the new date. Many important national and international industry players have confirmed their participation. The Building side is very well positioned again and leading manufacturers from the safety and security sector complete the range. We had to restructure the exhibitors from the lighting sector because the availability of halls here is different in autumn than at the original date in March. Despite the unusual timing for innovation presentations, many lighting exhibitors are committed to Light + Building as a meeting place for the sector and ensure an attractive, diverse and international lighting sector,” explains Iris Jeglitza-Moshage, Senior Vice President Technology.
The manufacturers of the lighting and building technology sector jointly decided on the date in autumn. “We are currently hearing again and again from exhibitors and visitors that the date for the personal meeting is still needed this year. We are confident that the 2022 event will be a good bridge to get back to a much-needed and normal trade fair schedule,” Jeglitza-Moshage continues.
In 2024, Light + Building will once again take place in its usual slot in March.
At Light + Building Autumn Edition, visitors can expect a broad overview and insight into the industry: All electricity-carrying trades will be represented. So far, in lighting and luminaire design, AEC, Artemide, Bega, Casambi, Ledvance, Linea Light, Molto Luce, Nichia and Samsung will be present. In addition to a large number of Italian exhibitors, the other top exhibitor countries include Turkey, Spain, Poland, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Belgium, Greece, France and Austria.
Exhibitors in Hall 8.0 will be showing innovations in areas of safety, efficiency, light sources and control, as well as lighting components. Halls three, four, six and 10 are devoted entirely to lighting, with a unique range of products including designer luminaires in all styles, technical luminaires, outdoor and street lighting as well as emergency and safety lighting. There is a promotion area of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action for young companies in the decorative luminaires product area on the East Area.
With the start of the event, this will then be expanded into the Light + Building Digital Extension. Parallel to the physical trade fair in Frankfurt, the digital platform will offer, from 2 to 14 October 2022, new opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange and encounters. The additional offer helps to expand one’s own circle of contacts in a targeted manner via AI-supported match-making. The platform also provides more independence from time and place: Exhibitors can hold product presentations via video streaming, get in touch with customers digitally and all participants have the opportunity to find out about the Light + Building programme items on-demand following the live event.
The Light + Building event will take place from 2 to 6 October 2022. The Intersec Forum will open in parallel from 3 to 6 October 2022. The Light + Building Digital Extension is accessible from 2 to 14 October 2022.
Nuckolls Fund distributes $130,500 in Grants and Awards for 2022
(USA) – The Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education for 2022 has issued grants and awards totalling $130,500, ranging from $5,000 to $30,000.
Due to Covid restrictions, a presentation planned for LEDucation in New York City was replaced by mail notifications. This year’s grants and awards brought the Fund’s total distribution to $1,715,500 since its formation in 1988.
The Nuckolls Fund supports college-level lighting programmes that enable students to learn, appreciate and apply the fundamentals of lighting design, and to recognise the achievements of the late lighting designer and educator, James L. Nuckolls. Submittals for financial support from the Fund’s programmes are judged annually by its Board of Directors.
This year, three $30,000 Nuckolls Grants are being applied to expanding lighting curricula. This includes funding an upper-level advanced lighting course for interior designers at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, by Jake Tucci; a new course in the School of Architecture and Design at Virginia Tech incorporating the 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design, by James Jones and Ron Gibbons; and a continuation of new lighting related curricula at Mississippi State University, by Robin Carroll.
In addition, Victoria McReynolds at Texas Tech was the recipient of the $7,500 Lesley Wheel Grant to initiate the acquisition of testing and building lighting tools as a basis for an architectural lighting course to monitor the Llano Estacado natural setting and its measurable effects on human wellness with energy sustainability. The $13,000 Edison Price Fellowship will be applied to the summer internship of Arpan Guhan at the Light and Health Research Center at Lawrence Technological University.
Four Student Achievement awards of $5,000 were distributed to Sachintha De Van Gunawardena, Renesselaer Polytechnique Institute, for the Jonas Bellovin Scholar Achievement Award; Wangyang Song, Pennsylvania State University, for the Jules Horton International Student Achievement Award; and Makayla Thomposon, University of Nebraska/Lincoln and Paola Kwan, University of Colorado/Boulder for the 2021 Designers Lighting Forum of New York Student Achievement Awards.
Nuckolls Fund President Lee Waldron, President of Grenald Waldron Associates, praised each of the recipients, and recognised the generosity of the lighting community: “We are proud of our record to continue financial support for the advancement of lighting education. In total, 140 grants and awards have been sponsored by the Nuckolls Fund during its 33 years, including 59 grants to expand or create a new lighting course.”
