Illuminated River launches new engagement programme as artwork is revealed
(UK) - To celebrate the completion of its nine-bridge artwork, the Illuminated River Foundation has launched a new programme of engagement activities.
Launched on 13 April, the programme will evolve throughout the year, and will support the artwork through a mixture of on-site and digital activities, with free and bookable options. The programme includes interactive art trails and guided walking tours, as well as a new phase of musical collaboration with students from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Spanning from London Bridge to Lambeth Bridge, the Illuminated River artworks were created by internationally acclaimed artist Leo Villareal, with award-winning architectural practice Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands. With a minimum lifespan of ten years, it is estimated that up to 90 million people a year will see the artworks in situ along the River Thames.
The Illuminated River Foundation has also commissioned new music uniquely inspired by the artwork, the Thames and its bridges, from students at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. In this second iteration of the collaboration, dozens of original music compositions, each focusing on a specific bridge, have been created to celebrate the artwork, as well as the social history behind the structures. These will be shared in a series of releases over the coming weeks.
For example the arrangement ‘Still We Move’ by Lillian Chan, for example, explores the under-recognised contribution of the largely female workforce responsible for completing Waterloo Bridge, also known as ‘The Ladies Bridge’ during WWII. Alluding to the sentiment in Maya Angelou’s 1978 poem, ‘Still I Rise’, Chan’s commission layers female vocals with strings to emphasise a message of solidarity among women.
Free audio guides created with City of London Guides also delve deeper into the rich history of each bridge, highlighting key sites of interest along both the north and south banks of the river, and elucidating Villareal’s artistic vision.
Meanwhile, a calendar of guided tours of the Illuminated River artwork is planned throughout the coming months, with some events reserved especially for key workers. The 90-minute tours, available to book online for groups of up to six, take place on Tuesdays (for Blackfriars to Lambeth Bridge) and Fridays (from London to Millennium Bridge) and comprise a gentle evening stroll along the river accompanied by an informative professional guide.
Sarah Gaventa, Director of the Illuminated River Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be developing this programme of engagement to celebrate the completion of the next five bridges in the Illuminated River artwork.
“This launch marks the culmination of five years’ work by the Foundation, and we’re very excited to finally share it with the public. Through various collaborations with some incredible partners, we are offering a stimulating, educational and accessible calendar of activities and resources for all to enjoy.”
Women in Lighting launch Gender Equality survey
Women in Lighting has launched #womeninlighitngUKfacts, a survey collecting data about gender equality in the UK lighting industry as a whole.
It welcomes participation from lighting consultancies and engineering practices, as well as manufacturers, educators, researchers, and related disciplines, which sometimes do not feel represented in the mainstream. The survey aims to find out quantitative and qualitative data. It will collect figures and facts about equal opportunities, sexism, pay gaps and company policies. Some questions will give the chance to expand on the answers if anyone wishes to.
The survey is completely anonymous, so it encourage participants to provide their honest opinion and was conceived by Carmela Dagnello, WiL UK Ambassador, with the support of a team made up of Amy Rennie (WiL Ambassador for Scotland), Carolina Sterzi and Sandra Babini. The survey can be completed here.
Lam Partners Celebrates 60th Anniversary; Announces New Brand Identity
(USA) – New brand identity to commemorate past and look to future.
Lam Partners has marked its 60th anniversary with a rebrand to its visual identity.
“We are proud that we've been able to work on incredible projects with exceptional collaborators, clients, and friends for the past 60 years,” said Jamie Perry, Principal. “Our new identity is not just cosmetic – we’ve taken this opportunity to evolve our brand into something that represents where Lam Partners is as a company today – 60 years later.”
The Lam logo serves as the foundation to a dynamic, flexible visual system. It finds a visual language for light and mimics how light behaves in a space. The logo represents the interplay of light and shadow. The new typeface and vibrant colours reflect the company’s approach to its work: energetic, passionate, and innovative.
“2021 is a special year for us as it marks our 60th anniversary. What better way to recognise our history and legacy, while also focusing on the future, than with a new brand identity for Lam Partners,” said Paul Zaferiou, Principal. “The new brand identity is not only current and modern but continues to reflect the core values of our organisation – our collaborative spirit, supportive internal culture, and elevation of human spaces.”
William Lam Associates was founded in 1961 by William M. C. Lam, after he had worked in architecture and as a lighting manufacturer for many years. With a focus on the integration of lighting with architecture and urban design, Lam collaborated with many architects across the US and throughout the world, developing innovative lighting solutions and integrated system approaches for complex building designs. Lam retired in 1995 but continued to work as a consultant until his passing in 2012.
Today, Lam Partners is a 30-person firm, with eight principals across two offices. Its collaborative spirit, supportive internal culture, and elevation of human spaces shows that people are at the heart of what it does. They understand that the spaces they create will have a profound effect on those that live, work, and play in them.
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.”
