Bega acquires majority stake of Aubrilam
(Europe) – Aubrilam to be French Bega location, will also continue as independent brand.
Bega has announced that it has acquired the majority stake of its French partner company, Aubrilam.
The luminaire manufacturer has already maintained a successful system partnership with Aubrilam and its street furniture solutions made of wood, for almost a decade.
As the future French Bega location, Aubrilam will remain present in the market as a brand with an independent product portfolio, with the same number of employees. Soufyane Miloudi will remain as Aubrilam’s Managing Director, with Turki Badeed remaining as partner.
“The expected further urbanisation with the establishment of leisure-focused lifestyles in growing cities will increase the demand for high-quality street furniture,” said Heinrich Gantenbrink, Managing Partner of Bega. “Wood as a very sustainable, natural material will play a major role in this, along with convincing lighting solutions.”
Gantenbrink added that the acquisition of Aubrilam was a logical step in this regard: “The philosophy of both companies that only extraordinary quality, as well as the durability of the products, are acceptable was the basis of our partnership. Now we are bringing this previous success story together under one roof.”
Soutyane Miloudi, Managing Partner of Aubrilam, added: “Our brand has been established in the market since 1978. Since the beginning almost a decade ago, our structured cooperation with Bega has grown very fruitfully. Now we are going to take the next step together.”
LEDucation 2021 In-Person August Trade Show Cancelled
(USA) – Conference sessions to be moved online and held virtually.
Due to the uncertainty of New York local and state restrictions regarding mass gatherings in August, as well as government restrictions that impede international travel, the LEDucation committee has made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the in-person trade show, scheduled for August 17-18, 2021.
However, LEDucation will offer a series of accredited virtual conference sessions in August 2021. Definitive dates and details are forthcoming.
“To accommodate scheduling efforts and critical deadlines in the industry, we have come to the unfortunate conclusion that an in-person LEDucation in 2021 is not feasible. The safety and protection of attendees and exhibitors is of paramount importance to us,” LEDucation Co-Chairs Burt Grant and Caroline Rinker said in a joint statement.
“We understand that this comes as an enormous disappointment to the exhibitors, buyers, and industry professionals who were due to attend the show. As we continue to tackle the unknowns and prepare for better days ahead, we look forward to dynamic and interactive presentations coming this August and look forward to seeing everyone in 2022.”
The next in-person LEDucation Trade Show and Conference is slated for March 15–17, 2022 at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. The event will include multiple exhibition halls featuring the industry’s top manufacturers and suppliers, as well as a dynamic conference programme. In a post–COVID-19 environment, LEDucation will continue to prioritise the health and safety of all attendees and will run in accordance with official government and local authority guidance, as well as New York Hilton Midtown health protocols.
The 2021 Online Marketplace is available through the end of the year along with on-demand access to the March 2021 educational sessions.
Details for the 2022 show will be posted in the coming months.
Linea Light Group collaborates with University of Strathclyde on antibacterial light source
(Italy) – Manufacturer’s new Environment Care Lighting range uses HINS light developed by Scottish university.
Linea Light Group has unveiled a new antibacterial technology range that could help to decontaminate surfaces and prevent infection.
The new Environment Care Lighting technology range uses High Intensity Narrow Spectrum (HINS) light, developed and patented by the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. The range enables the Woofer and Rollip appliances from Linea Light Group’s i-Lèd Professional collection to decontaminate surfaces and prevent infection, destroying up to 70-80% of bacteria with continuous use.
By using a light wavelength of 405nm, the Environment Care Lighting range can both light and decontaminate rooms, potentially avoiding the need for more expensive ultra-violet technologies that use frequencies between 240-260nm, require rooms to be empty during disinfection, and can cause degradation effects on photosensitive materials.
The action of two light sources – a violet-blue dominated LED combined with a white LED – enables the Environment Care Lighting technology to offer both lighting and disinfection at the same time.
The HINS-light technology was developed in the Robertson Trust Laboratory for Electronic Sterilisation Technologies (ROLEST) at the University of Strathclyde, thanks to the work of a team of experts led by Professor Scott MacGregor, Vice-Principal of the University, with Professor John G. Anderson, Dr Michelle Maclean and Professor Gerry Woolsey.
Linea Light Group will be the first European company to use the HINS-light patent in combination with lighting appliances, and looks to offer these fixtures for offices and public spaces, hospitals and healthcare settings, residential areas and multi-purpose buildings.
Gianluca Salciccia, Linea Light Group Sales Director, said: Linea Light Group’s products and projects put people in the spotlight. Lighting technology can be an important tool for wellbeing and improving people’s quality of life. Linea Light Group’s new Environment Care Lighting light range could also add a third dimension of physical wellbeing, with products capable of decontaminating the environments in which people live and work, protecting their health."
Professor John G. Anderson, Research Fellow in Electronic & Electrical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde and member of the HINS-light technology research team added: “The Environment Care Lighting represents a unique method of disinfection as it does not employ harmful chemicals or dangerous UV light, but instead uses only visible light that is harmless to humans.
“The system works by using selected visible wavelengths that activate light sensitive molecules contained within microbes. This process creates biocidal chemicals that are lethal to bacteria such as MRSA or C.diff. The process can be operated continuously to achieve whole room disinfection in both the presence and absence of occupants.”
Professor Scott MacGregor added: “The technology is harmless to people, so it can be used continuously in different spaces, thus improving disinfection and preventing the spread of infection. Linea Light Group’s new Environment Care Lighting products means that many more people in healthcare, public spaces and in commercial, work and residential environments can benefit from this technology.”
LEDforum.21 announces new dates
(Brazil) – Conference moved from August to early November 2021.
Organisers of the LEDforum.21 conference, scheduled to take place in São Paulo, Brazil this August, have announced that the show has been postponed until later in the year.
As a result of the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic last year, LEDforum.20 was held in a digital format and, with 615 lighting professionals attending, it proved to be a big success.
However, as the world continues to face new outcomes, including vaccination programmes, organisers have decided that this year’s physical event, previously scheduled to take place on 19-20 August, will no longer be feasible.
They have therefore taken the decision to reschedule the event to later in the year, with the conference now slated to take place on 4-5 November. The hope is that the situation regarding the pandemic will have eased to the point that LEDforum.21 will be able to happen in a physical or “phygital” format. “Meanwhile, we will continue to monitor the situation in order to define the most appropriate version for the event, to be held in a safe and positive way for all participants,” organisers said.
“We are still working full steam ahead to offer our audience quality content – confirmation of the LEDforum.21 programme will be released shortly.”
Registration for the event is currently open, more information is available on the LEDforum website.
SLL LightBytes webinar series to begin in April
(UK) – LightBytes series to focus on sustainable approach for lighting industry.
Starting on 7 April, the Society of Light and Lighting (SLL) will host LightBytes, a weekly webinar series that will see expert speakers delivering bitesized CPD presentations, focusing on a more sustainable approach for the lighting industry.
The series aims to inform and challenge current practice, considering the implications of delivering a quality lit environment in a net-zero carbon landscape.
The four-part series will explore methods of addressing the unavoidable need to pursue a new approach to lighting, considering manufacturing, design, installation, maintenance and waste.
The Society will be joined by expert speakers from its Sponsors in Partnership; Steve Shackleton, Lighting Applications Manager at Fagerhult UK; Helen Loomes, Innovation Akadamie at Trilux Group; and Tim Bowes, Head of Lighting Application at Whitecroft Lighting.
The first three sessions will see speakers delivering peer reviewed, CPD presentations, followed by interactive Q&As. For the fourth and final session, they will be joined by Emilio Hernandez, lighting designer and Chair of the GreenLight Alliance and Mark Ridler, Head of Lighting at BDP, who will be discussing the actions they are taking to raise awareness and initiate a circular economy approach across the industry and within their practice as designers.
Sessions will be chaired by current SLL President, Bob Bohannon, who has been instrumental in the ongoing development of a new SLL and CIBSE Technical Memorandum and Circular Economy Assessment Method (CEAM) alongside the Society’s Education Committee Chair, Kristina Allison.
The series will begin with a focus on minimising energy use, offering additional considerations relating to design approach; utilising the space and surface reflectance; lighting controls; and modular lighting, exploring how increased flexibility and customisation could lead to a reduction in energy use whilst providing increased comfort for the end user.
From there, speakers will be considering resource. The second session will look at the Repro-Light project, aiming to develop re-usable and reconfigurable parts for LED luminaires, reducing waste and extending their useful lifetime. It will consider the potential for nano-optics and the positive impact of reducing the overall size of luminaires. Finally, there will be an in depth look at Cradle to Cradle certification, highlighting the social and ethical responsibility outlined by circular economy practice, with examples and case studies.
With the need to reduce the amount of energy consumed by lighting, there is concern that the quality of the lit environment has become a secondary consideration. The third session will aim to build on the previous presentations relating to minimum energy and minimum resource, whilst still providing maximum comfort. It will look at defining ‘good lighting,’ what this would look like and the challenges it might raise in relation to reduced energy use.
With the revised BS EN 12464 now at the approval stage, this session will look at increased awareness and consideration of the varied needs of individual occupants within a space; providing individual control over their lit environment; and considerations for the non-visual effects of light in relation to health and circadian entrainment. This will be continued with a look at the new Double Dynamic Lighting concept, developed in association with Aalborg University in Denmark.
Encapsulating the aims of the new series, Bob Bohannon said: “So as not to be constrained by a blinkered, energy only approach, we need to understand and communicate all the aspects that make up better (lighting) in a net zero carbon building.”
Registration for the new series is free for members of the SLL, with a nominal registration fee for non-members to join all four sessions and access the recordings on demand. All the presentations are peer reviewed, providing access to six hours of CPD content.
LUCI releases new publication
(France) – Exploring City Nightscapes explores different approaches to urban lighting.
The LUCI Association has released a new publication on urban lighting design after dark.
The publication, entitled Exploring City Nightscapes, examines the variety of ways in which cities can use light, leading to very different luminous landscapes, or “nightscapes”.
“The nightscape impacts how we move through cities at night and what we see as we do so. Moreover, how municipalities apply light in their urban spaces actually shapes these spaces and our experience of the city as a whole,” said the LUCI Association.
The new book, a digital version of which is available for free download here, features the stories of 12 cities, with conversations with urban lighting decision makers in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Bologna, London, Ghent, Geneva, Jyväskylä, Lyon, Rotterdam, Seoul, Shanghai and Strasbourg. Through these conversations, the book explores different approaches and common challenges linked to developing city nightscapes.
LightFair announces dates for 2022 edition
(USA) – Show to return to Las Vegas in June 2022.
LightFair has announced that it will return to Las Vegas in 2022, with the trade show scheduled to take place on 21-23 June at the Las Vegas Convention Centre (LVCC).
“LightFair exhibitors and attendees repeatedly name Las Vegas as their preferred west coast location,” said Dan Darby, LightFair show director. “We are excited to gather with them there for the return of a more traditional LightFair experience in 2022.”
LightFair 2022 will take place in the LVCC’s new West Hall. The state-of-the-art convention facility features modern trade show and classroom spaces, plus an expansive terrace overlooking the Las Vegas strip, and a new underground, Tesla-powered People Mover that allows attendees to move quickly through the LVCC campus.
Staged alternately on the east and west coast of the US, LightFair returns to Las Vegas in 2022 following its 2014 show there. The event was due to be held in Las Vegas in 2020, but was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The June dates put enough distance between the rescheduled October 2021 staging in New York and the 2022 staging in Las Vegas to make both shows viable and valuable for attendees and exhibitors,” added Darby.
LightFair 2021 is scheduled to take place on 27-29 October at the Jacob K. Javits Centre in New York. Registration opens in June 2021.
Cundall expands sustainability offering with new Sustainability Lead
(UK) – David Everington to be Sustainability Lead in Manchester.
Multidisciplinary engineering consultancy Cundall has expanding its sustainability offering in Manchester with the appointment of David Everington as Sustainability Lead for the region. Everington will be responsible for overseeing the growth of the business’ sustainability consultancy in Greater Manchester as it looks to meet increased demand for sustainable solutions in the region, including Greater Manchester’s net zero carbon 2038 requirement.
With more than 12 years’ experience in sustainable design, Everington has worked for Cundall since 2015 and was also recently appointed as the UK Green Building Council’s Local Network Coordinator for Greater Manchester. He specialises in renewable energy systems technology and has led on many high-profile projects in Manchester and UK, including the Salford Crescent masterplan, which is the largest net zero carbon regeneration scheme in the UK.
Commenting on his new role, Everington said: “I’m very proud to have been appointed as Sustainability Lead in Manchester. Sustainability consulting and net zero carbon construction solutions have become increasingly in demand in Manchester over the last 12 months, and I’m very pleased to be able to step into this role and help Manchester businesses and developments achieve the region’s ambitious net zero carbon targets.”
Simon Wyatt, Sustainability Partner at Cundall added: “We’re really pleased to have David taking on responsibility for growing our business in Manchester. His understanding of low carbon technology makes him a great asset to the business and will significantly enhance the business’s offering in the region. We look forward to working alongside him and continuing to create sustainable solutions for the built environment.”
Cundall’s sustainability consultancy currently has 87 members worldwide and they plan to continue expanding to reach the 100 staff mark within the next few months.
Future Designs appoint new Commercial Director
(UK) – Oliver Clements joins main board of directors as Commercial Director.
Future Designs has announced that Oliver Clements has been appointed to the main board of directors in the role of Commercial Director.
Clements has been with Future Designs for the past 10 years, and in his new role will continue to lead the UK sales team, while developing and implementing commercial strategies with the objective to further accelerate growth and market share of the company.
Prior to joining Future Designs, Clements spent a number of years in Singapore, gaining valuable experience beyond the construction sector, which enables him to bring fresh perspective and insight to the business.
Paul Noad, Operations Director said: “I am delighted to welcome Oliver to the Future Designs board. He has grown into his role and is held in high regard by all his clients and proved to be an exceptional ambassador when representing our brand in the marketplace.”
Oliver Clements added: “I am so excited to be taking on this new role at Future Designs and the inevitable challenges it will bring. It is a great business with even more potential to be realised through our innovative approach and attention to detail, as we strive to deliver the ambitions of all our clients, ensuring they experience the unique attention to detail we are renowned for.”
Lighting Design International appoints Design Director and Creative Director
(UK) – Nishi Shah and Graham Rollins to serve as Design Director and Creative Director respectively.
Lighting Design International (LDI) has announced the appointment of Nishi Shah as Design Director and Graham Rollins as Creative Director.
The announcement follows news last week of the retirement of Principal Designer Chris Lewis. Sally Storey will become Founding Director of LDI.
“I am thrilled to share the news of the promotion of Graham Rollins and Nishi Shah to Creative Director and Design Director. We are entering a new phase of Lighting Design International, and we are all excited for the future,” said Storey.
Over nearly 25 years at LDI, Shah has designed numerous award-winning schemes in the UK and abroad. As an Associate, she nurtured the talents of many LDI designers over the years, and has worked on a variety of prestigious projects, ranging from resort hotels and office developments to spas and private residences.
Shah’s experience working on some of LDI’s largest projects has been crucial in achieving excellence, helping to secure the firm’s status in the industry. Her extensive portfolio includes One Hyde Park, Heckfield Place Hampshire, Ham Yard Hotel and various private estates.
“I can’t quite believe where the time has gone but I’m looking forward to seeing where my new role takes me,” Shah said. “I’m of course really grateful to Sally and Chris in particular, but also to all the others past and present at LDI who have inspired me and made me better at my job along the way.”
After joining LDI 16 years ago, Rollins’ creative approach and passion for detail led to him heading a team since 2011. Rollins has won numerous prestigious awards domestically and internationally, and is an active member of the lighting community, giving lectures, writing for magazines, attending events and producing light art installations additional to his role within LDI. His drive for unique yet respectful solutions to architectural lighting challenges has led to him detailing diverse, bespoke details, and original fittings in collaboration with his team at LDI and with clients. Rollins’ design influence can be seen across a wide range of projects, including Harrods Dining Hall, Harrods Technology, Sunset Walk – Centre MK, and numerous private superyachts.
“At LDI, I have been very fortunate to work with leading architects and interior designers across a fantastic range of projects, with my colleagues and each design team providing new inspiration and challenges daily,” added Rollins. “I am looking forward to seeing how these opportunities grow in my new role, allowing further creative thinking and design progression.”
www.lightingdesigninternational.com
Helvar celebrates 100 years
(Finland) – Manufacturer marks landmark anniversary with special online event.
Helvar celebrated its 100th anniversary with a special online event entitled Discovering Brighter Spaces.
The company, founded in 1921, used the centenary celebrations as an opportunity reflect on its past as a family-owned company, but also look to the future and the next 100 years.
“This milestone allows us to focus on the efforts of our customers and associates around the world and celebrate their efforts in helping us to become what we are today – a successful and growing, global company that is transforming everyday places into intelligent, connected spaces,” the company said.
“During our 100-year journey, we have supported and continue to support thousands of customers around the world, contributing to the wellbeing of people, and we’ve invented lighting control solutions and luminaire components that have pioneered, endured and evolved for decades,” added Adel Hattab, CEO of Helvar.
The company’s Discovering Brighter Spaces event, held virtually on 3 March, celebrated its first 100 years, and looked into the future, and the mission of Brighter Spaces. “Our Brighter Spaces ission reflects spaces that are exceptionally well lit and support people’s wellbeing, creativity and productivity,” added Hattab. “These spaces are also very intelligent. Data captured by lighting sensors is refined into insights that benefit different building systems and help them to interact smoothly. Together with AI and automation, these data insights make spaces both people-centric and environmentally sustainable.”
Helvar will continue to hold a number of future-focused events throughout 2021, both at the local and regional levels. Events will be held virtually until face-to-face meetings are safe again.
Barbara Horton retires from HLB Lighting Design
(USA) – Carrie Hawley to serve as sole CEO.
HLB Lighting Design has announced that Barbara Horton, Senior Principal and Co-CEO, has as of 1 March 2021, retired after a 41-year career with the firm.
Horton will continue to work as a consultant for the firm and serve out her term on the Board of Directors through the end of 2021 to ensure a seamless transition.
Senior Principal Carrie Hawley will assume the role as sole CEO following Horton’s retirement.
For the past 40 years, Horton has served as a leader and mentor to HLB staff and the greater industry. During her tenure, HLB grew to 15 Principals/Owners, with more than 90 team members located in seven offices across North America, serving clients worldwide. She has guided the firm through a successful ownership transition, its first acquisition, and created a culture of design excellence with a focus on the business of design. She has been working side-by-side with firm leadership and co-CEO Hawley for the past year in preparation for her retirement, and the continued legacy of HLB.
“We’ve planned for this succession transition from the first day I was honoured to take on the role of CEO in 1992,” said Horton. “The success of the firm does not lie with one person, but with all the people we empowered to bring their imagination and entrepreneurial spirit to build our firm’s reputation. Working side-by-side with so many of our great leaders throughout my career has been an honour through the lighting journey.
“The CEO has many responsibilities, but the greatest one is to be the Chief Enthusiasm Officer. Carrie Hawley has the historical foundation and perspective of the future to continue the work we’ve started and take HLB through the next 50 years.”
In her new role as the CEO of HLB Lighting Design, Hawley brings 25 years of lighting design expertise and leadership at HLB, with a portfolio of award-winning projects with renowned clients both nationally and internationally.
“I am humbled and excited to take on this responsibility and step into the enormous shoes that Barbara has filled as CEO for the past 29 years,” said Hawley. “Our firm has a strong culture of strategic planning and innovation, both in lighting and in business, and I am immensely excited to continue to grow this culture and elevate the profile of lighting design in the world today.”
Hawley joined HLB in 1995 as a member of the New York office, working under the guidance of Horton and quickly ascending to positions of greater responsibility. In 2001, Hawley spearheaded the business plan and development of eLumit, a web-based lighting product seach engine and specification tool. In 2007, she developed a strategic plan to open HLB’s fourth office in Boston, and was named a Principal of the firm. She has been an active member of HLB’s Board of Directors since 2011, and will assume the role of Chairman of the Board, in concurrence with her move to CEO.
She continued: “This is a huge moment in my career, and I am looking forward to leading our team as we continue to advance our industry and shape inspiring, innovative, sustainable and healthy environments through lighting design.”
