Women in Lighting: Magali Mendez
As part of its series of interviews with designers around the world, Women in Lighting sat down with Magali Mendez. Mendez is a lighting designer, entrepreneur and the founder of SaaS Lighting Conception in Mexico City. She is also the Ambassador for the Women in Lighting project in Mexico.
Video courtesy of Light Collective.
IALD: Business Transition Planning – The Who, What, When, Why
Carrying on the conversation that began in arc 116, Barbara Horton and Carrie Hawley of HLB Lighting Design, alongside Lawson & Weitzen's Trish Farnsworth, discuss the importance of having a transition plan in place, regardless of the age of the business or owner.
Throughout the presentation, the panel outline the various exit strategies for different corporate structures, and share models for planning and processes for success. Including examples of successes and failures as part of a learning opportunity for our young entrepreneurial members.
Video courtesy of IALD.
www.iald.org
www.hlblighting.com
Jason Bruges Studio: Archive & Process Part 2
In part 2 of Jason Bruges Studio's Archive & Process series, the studio continues to look back through its archive to revisit some experiments and prototypes, offering a behind-the-scenes insight into the creative process behind some of its well-known projects.
Signify achieves carbon neutrality
(Netherlands) – Signify already looking to double its positive impact on environment and society by 2025.
Signify has achieved carbon neutrality for all its operations across the world, as well as using 100% renewable electricity, the company has announced.
While it progresses towards its remaining commitments for 2020, Signify is already embarking on a new five-year journey in which it will focus on doubling its positive impact on the environment and society.
Signify has reduced its operational emissions by more than 70% since 2010, having shifted to more energy-efficient technologies at its sites, to more sustainable modes of transport and optimised logistics planning, and to less travel in a more sustainable way. It also uses 100% renewable electricity, supported through two power purchase agreements, one in Texas, and a second in Poland. The balance of emission reductions is achieved through a carbon offsetting programme, with projects aimed at benefitting the wellbeing of local communities.
Helen Clarkson, CEO of the Climate Group, said: “We would like to congratulate Signify on its fantastic achievement of carbon neutrality across all operations in 2020. We have been working in partnership with Signify for more than 10 years to accelerate the global adoption of energy efficient LED lighting, and through Signify’s support of RE100 and EV100.
“The 2020s are the Climate Decade, as we need to have global emissions by 2030 to get us on track to mee the goals of the Paris agreement, so we need more companies to follow Signify’s lead in setting their own net zero targets.”
Eric Rondolat, CEO of Signify, added: “I’m extremely proud of all the Signify employees and thank them for supporting our carbon neutrality objective. It is a truly significant achievement for us, and we call on many others to join us.
“However, the world is still facing a demographic change, urbanisation, climate change and resource scarcity. This is not a time to pause and celebrate, but a time to become even more ambitious and accelerate our efforts to address these challenges.
“Growth for sustainability and providing a great place to work are firmly anchored as central parts of our company strategy. This means that when it comes to sustainability, we will go beyond carbon neutrality and double our positive impact on the environment and on society in 2025.”
After achieving carbon neutrality, Signify has now begun implementing its new sustainability programme, which will aim to double its positive impact on the environment and society. Through this, Signify hopes to go beyond carbon neutrality and reduce carbon emissions over its entire value chain, and by 2025, the company hopes to achieve the 2031 target set out for companies in the Paris Agreement to limit temperature rises to 1.5°C over pre-industrial times.
Paule Constable to present SLL Trotter Paterson Lecture
(UK) - Lecture to be held on 10 September at 13:00 BST.
Acclaimed lighting designer Paule Constable will deliver the 2020 Trotter Paterson Lecture, taking place on 10 September, the Society of Light and Lighting (SLL) has announced. During the free-to-attend online presentation, Constable will discuss her award-winning work, motivations and experience as a lighting designer.
Constable's experience in theatre and stage lighting will follow on from previous speakers, including lighting researcher Dr Peter Boyce and neurobiologist Sir Colin Blakemore, who have both presented the SLL Trotter Patterson Lecture in recent years. The first Trotter Patterson Lecture was given in 1951 in honour of Alexander Trotter and Sir Clifford Patterson, both founding members of the Society in 1909.
After studying English and Drama at Goldsmith University, Constable trained in lighting design while working in the music industry. In 2005, she was the first woman to receive the Olivier Award for Best Lighting. Since then, she has gone on to win it three more times, and has been nominated a further ten times. She has won the Tony Award for Best Lighting twice and has received four additional nominations, amongst many other accolades.
An Associate Director of the National Theatre and an Associate of the Lyric Hammersmith, Constable's shows include Ocean at the End of the Lane, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night, The Chalk Garden, Warhorse, His Dark Materials and Follies. Alongside this, she is an Honorary Fellow of Goldsmith's College, Rose Bruford College and the Central School of Speech and Drama. She also received an Honorary Doctorate from the Royal Scottish Acadamy. Constable has also championed the freelance lobbying of Parliament, which contributed to securing the £1.57billion investment to protect Britain's cultural, arts and heritage institutions, designed to help weather the impact of coronavirus.
Constable said of her involvement: "I am thrilled to be presenting this year's Trotter Paterson Lecture. It is always both intimidating and exciting to walk into a room following the worlds of so many brilliant scientific minds. My relationship to light and lighting is often as much felt as measured. I look forward to sharing a slightly different approach to this mercurial and wonderful element."
The lecture will be introduced by Peter Phillipson and Society Coordinator Juliet Rennie.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the SLL has made the decision to hold the lecture online. It will be the first time the event has been held virtually, and the Society are hopeful that it will attract audiences from around the world.
Full details and registration information can be found here.
www.cibse.org/society-of-light-and-lighting-sll
Skira: GTC Matrix
GTC Matrix is a LEED-Gold standard development in the central business district in Zagreb, Croatia. New façade lighting from Skira uses the latest technology in fixture design, optics and control systems, combined with an understanding of the form of light that follows the form of the horizontal pattern above and below the brise soleil façade shading system.
By positioning an RGB version of the IP66-rated 360-degree Trick fixture from iGuzzini on the building's sunscreens, it acts as a secondary reflector. The lighting on each building is connected via a fibre optic cable to enable controlled scenes simultaneously. Random patterns of light were programmed to create dynamic, vibrant and colourful scenes that accentuate the horizontal, linear architectural detail.
Video: Super produkcija/Marko Mihaljevic
Light Up Lancaster cancelled
(UK) – Festival cancelled due to Covid-19 crisis.
Organisers for the light festival Light Up Lancaster have announced that this year’s instalment of the event, due to take place this November, has been cancelled.
The decision comes “due to the ongoing situation regarding Covid-19”, and the continued uncertainty regarding the virus.
In a statement on the festival website, organisers said: “We are very sorry, as we know this is a much loved and well-attended event, but feel it is the right decision as we’re currently unaware of what the situation with Covid-19 will be like in November.
“Light Up Lancaster is all about creating such a lively and vibrant atmosphere, and managing social distancing would be extremely difficult.
“Together with partners, we will be doing everything in our power to develop the festival behind the scenes for the future and with your support, will be back stronger than ever.”
Hong Kong International Lighting Fair goes online
(China) – Previously scheduled for 27-30 October, show now added to HKTDC Autumn Sourcing Week.
In view of the latest situation regarding the global Covid-19 pandemic, and the increased restrictions imposed by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair has moved online.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has tightened various disease prevention and control measures, and extended entry restrictions for incoming visitors. Couple with travel restrictions and quarantine measures from other countries and regions, it meant that overseas exhibitors and buyers would have been unable to attend the lighting fair, scheduled to take place on 27-30 October.
Following consultation with industry representatives and key stakeholders, a decision has been made to move the fair online, consolidating with other fairs into HKTDC Autumn Sourcing Week | Online (ASWO). The online exhibition will be held from 16-27 November, enabling the industry to continue exploring business opportunities.
“With the successful conclusion of Summer Sourcing Weeks | Go Online (SSWGO) recently, we believe that ASWO will carry on the momentum to assist global exhibitors and buyers to overcome some of the challenges during these trying times,” the event organisers said in a statement on the show website. “The business matching and virtual meeting features offered by ASWO will help boost business connections. Details will be announced in due course.
“We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to exhibitors, group pavilions, industry associations and buyers from around the world for their tremendous support for HKTDC events. We will continue to make every effort to help companies capture business opportunities through different platforms.
[d]arc thoughts: Episode 7 | The Future of Workspace Lighting
In the latest [d]arc thoughts video, arc editor Matt Waring continues the discussion that began in issue 117 of arc magazine on the future of workspace lighting alongside expert panelists Helen Diemer, The Lighting Practice; Brad Koerner, Cima; Martina Alagna, Nulty; and Scott Herrick, Spark Studio Lighting Design.
Throughout the discussion, the panelists address the transition to working from home, the future of open office concepts, and some wider design trends that could become more prevalent in workspaces going forward.
To read the article, check out the digital issue of arc 117 here: issuu.com/mondiale/docs/ma117_digital_issuu/58
Video edited by Matt Waring
Music from bensound.com
www.thelightingpractice.com
www.nultylighting.co.uk
www.sparksld.com
www.cimanetwork.com
New Artemide system integrates UV sanitising technology
(Italy) - Integralis is a new system that integrates sanitising technology within its lighting solutions.
Artemide has introduced a new technology that potentially turns its lamps into room sanitisers, thanks to the transmittal of antiviral ultraviolet light when people are not around.
Named Integralis, the technology can be fitted to light fixtures (although fixtures cannot be retrofitted with the technology), and programmed via an app to emit normal light when rooms are occupied, and UV light when they are empty.
The UV light acts against pathogenic microorganisms, without harming the space and individuals surrounding it. It can also be used in both public and private spaces - in museums, offices and shops the technology can be adapted to perform an emission frequency that best accommodates the cadence of visitors.
In small spaces, such as service areas, elevators and waiting rooms, intermittent sanitisation is available; presence sensors, which are controlled by the Artemide app, help to manage safety and intensity.
While invisible UV light can potentially kill pathogens, including viruses, it can also be harmful to humans. However, the blue spectrum of visible light can also have an anti-microbial effect.
"In the presence of people, emission frequencies and doses of energy that are not harmful to the eyes and skin can be used, which nonetheless act to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mould and fungi," said Artemide CEO Carlotta de Bevilacqua.
"In the absence of people, higher energy levels and frequencies such as UV rays can be used, which also act on viruses."
While the Integralis technology mainly acts on surfaces, it can in theory act on everything it encounters in its path, such as particles suspended in the air, although this would require specific air filtering technology to ensure maximum efficiency.
Short-wavelength UV light (UV-C) has previously been used to sanitise spaces such as aeroplanes and buses in a process known as ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. This process has received increased attention this year for its potential to help curb the spread of Covid-19.
Studies have shown that it can help suppress viruses, including those that cause respiratory issues, by disrupting their RNA and preventing them from replicating. However, its effectiveness is highly dependent on the right dose of UV radiation being used for the right amount of time - this can vary depending on how close the source is to the surface, and what the surface is made of. Any room-scale solutions would therefore need to be properly assessed to ensure effectiveness.
However, de Bevilacqua added that Integralis has "gone and is still going through extensive testing to be able to guarantee the level of sanitation provided by the technology."
IALD Enlighten events go online for 2020
(Worldwide) – Enlighten Americas and Enlighten Europe 2020 to be held online.
The IALD has announced that its Enlighten Americas and Enlighten Europe conferences will be held online for the first time.
The two conferences, originally due to be held in Palm Springs, California and Oslo, Norway respectively, had both been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but as the IALD Enlighten events are considered leading experiences that bring the international lighting design community together for inspiration, learning and connections, the conferences will now be held online.
IALD Enlighten Americas 2020 Online will be held on 21-22 October, while IALD Enlighten Europe 2020 Online will be held on 18-19 November.
“This year, IALD will be offering something very different from our previous in-person Enlighten events. The online space has given us the opportunity to bring the international lighting community together in a more inclusive way than ever before. We can now offer the opportunity for any lighting professional to attend Enlightens 2020 Online, who may not have been able to travel to attend the in-person events,” said Marsha Turner, IALD CEO. “We look forward to creating a unique online experience that inspires and fosters the international and personal connections that IALD is known for.”
The Enlighten Online conferences will include talks from experts in lighting, thought-provoking panels, virtual exhibit rooms, engaging breakout discussions, special social hours and more. Known for community building and fostering connections, the IALD has sought to continue this tradition through providing connection opportunities via live discussions, fun and interactive breaks, happy hours and social time.
The IALD will also continue the popular Lighting Cross Talk, where lighting designers join manufacturers in small groups for focused discussions about future product designs and needs in the marketplace. This too will be held online for the first time this year.
Registration for Enlighten Americas 2020 Online and Enlighten Europe 2020 Online will open in September.
WILD: Starting the Anti-Racism Conversation
In this panel discussion, Women In Lighting Design (WILD) have a frank and conscious conversation about racism, white privilege, and what we can do to better the lives of other people.
Through this conversation, WILD aimed to create a brave space for honest conversations about this hard topic. "We understand that one chat about this doesn't fix it, but we're digging in to start to understand what perpetuates racism and how we as members of society can help change the narrative and do better," said WILD.
Hosts Sara Blanchard and Alicia Biggs - diverse facilitators and leaders in this space - help to guide the panel on what we should be talking about, how to have these conversations with and without people of colour, and where we can all go to learn and be educated. In particular, the panel discusses:
- How we begin to interrupt uncomfortable dialogue with practical examples in our industry
- The importance of critical thinking and the questions we ask ourselves, and how it applies to racism awareness
- The actionable items to do after this discussion to do your part going forward
Anyone interested in reaching out to Blanchard or Biggs for future speaking opportunities can contact me@sarablanchard.com or msbiggs2@aol.com.
Video courtesy of WILD Denver.
www.womeninlightingdesign.wordpress.com
