ZHAW Library, Switzerland
The new Zürich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) library based on the Sulzer site in Winterthur, Switzerland is a state-of-the-art facility with a floor space of over 6,000 sqm. It houses more than 120,000 media items, a computerised self-service borrow and return system, around 700 workstations, training rooms and a cafeteria.
The Sulzer site is a former industrial park operated by Sulzer and the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Factory in the centre of Winterthur. Since 1990 a new district featuring a wide range of residential buildings, offices, leisure facilities and educational establishments has been created on the site. The latest project involved bringing together five libraries of ZHAW in the former Sulzer Hall 87.
In November 2012, following a period in which it was used as a concert venue, the building was converted into a modern library based on plans drawn up by P&B Partner Architekten.
The three-storey workshop building was constructed as a steel skeleton with reinforced concrete floor slabs. The curtain-wall constructed façade consists of fibre-reinforced cement cladding and large glazing panels. During its renovation, the defining architectural elements were retained. With this in mind, mezzanine floors, detached from the façade, were installed only in certain areas in the eleven-metre high hall; leaving the original riveted steel upright and crossbeam structure omnipresent, and even the old crane tracks spanning the rooms as before.
Due to the cavernous nature of the building, lighting designers vogtpartner were faced with the challenge of finding luminaires that would suit the old industrial architecture but would also produce excellent illumination at desk level from a great height for studying. vogtpartner defined luminaires from Fluora along with LED components from Tridonic to offer the ideal solution. The classically shaped body of the luminaire, which comprises a cylindrical top section and a parabolic shade, houses LED modules and LED drivers from Tridonic.
The original plan was to service the different room heights from three metres in the training rooms to eleven metres in the hall at ground level, with luminaires of different sizes, but the Tridonic LED portfolio offered all the necessary combinations of LED modules and LED drivers to equip a single luminaire type with the appropriate technology to suit the different requirements.
TALEXXmodule FLE LED modules were used in areas in which the luminaires are mounted at great heights as they have been specifically designed for illuminating large halls. For areas with moderate ceiling heights, Fluora selected the TALEXXmodule SLE GEN3 modules, which Tridonic offers mainly for use in spotlights and downlights. Both LED module types operate in an output range that calls for active cooling, which is provided by a fan located at the top of the luminaire housing. Tridonic conducted a series of measurements to support the correct design of the active thermal management system and gave the customer approval for the combination of fan, LED modules and LED drivers. The LED modules are supplied with power via TALEXXdriver LCAI 100W and TALEXXdriver LCI 35W.
Martin Vorburger of Fluora commented: “Tridonic's extensive range of LED modules and matching LED drivers has enabled the very different lighting tasks in this project to be covered by a uniform luminaire design. The technical support that Tridonic offered us in integrating the components was an important factor in the efficiency and durability of the luminaires.’’
At the ground level, in the eleven-metre high hall, are three separate areas: the library, the administration offices and a café. On the first floor are classrooms and on the second floor, under large-scale skylights, students can use a room structure which serves as a learning and reading area.
The lighting design has been tailored for purpose, providing a clean and bright working environment that supports focused and quiet study, a creative exchange in group rooms and encourages knowledge transfer in the classroom environment without feeling fatigued. Therefore the architectural features haven't been left in the background but have been integrated into the interior scheme with a conscious use of light and shadows.
The large-scale skylights allow a large amount of daylight in during the day. In contrast, to avoid so-called 'black holes', at night the skylights can be illuminated by LIG's Linearlight Tube, specially adapted for the project with a deep blue light to create an association with the night sky during twilight.
The rest of the lighting follows in this style despite the intervention of the architecture. Luminaires in the existing structure have been built-up or suspended to adopt the industrial theme.
With glare control in mind, newly inserted spatial elements such as the main staircase are illuminated with LIG's custom recessed LED strips that have 360° louvres to reduce spill light. Workspaces, such as office areas and the endless-working space on the ground level, have cautious base lighting, decreasing as daylight increases, leaving the ideal illumination provided through Artemide Tolomeo table lamps and therefore controlled by the individual.
The learning landscape on the second floor is also extensively brightened. Modern table and floor lamps from Artemide complete the lighting design to create adaptable discussion and work conditions.
Overall, vogtpartner has helped to repurpose a vast industrial space through practical and versatile illumination without sacrificing the building's rugged charm.
Pics: vogtpartner
Generator Hostel, France
Generator Paris is the newest location in the quickly expanding chain of eclectic urban hostels. Located in the 10th Arrondissement – a Parisian neighbourhood known for its hip galleries, shops, cafés and bars, Generator stands opposite the French Communist Headquarters by Oscar Niemeyer, just steps from Canal Saint-Martin and Buttes-Chaumont Park.
Constructed in 1985 as an eight-storey office block, the property was gutted and transformed by Parisian project architect, Studios d’Architecture Ory & Associés, with interiors by Toronto-based DesignAgency, under the creative direction of Anwar Mekhayech and lighting design studio artec3. The property follows Generator’s universal concept of affordable and design-driven accommodation in prime locations, with an emphasis on a range of vibrant social spaces. Accommodating up to 916 guests in a range of rooms, this is the largest Generator property to date.
DesignAgency's interior design was inspired by the cinematic experience of strolling Paris’ streets and discovering its romantic moments, changing moods and rich colours. To highlight these themes, Mekhayech and his team created a series of mise-en-scènes that playfully flaunt their simultaneous fiction and reality. The atmosphere mixes the industrial backdrop with warm materials, varied textures, vintage finds from Parisian flea markets, signature design elements from Tolix, Jielde and Tom Dixon, and unique pieces made by emerging industrial and furniture designers such as Blom & Blom, Spain’s Lobster’s Day and local artists including Romain Guillet and You Talking to Me.
Stepping off Colonel Fabien Place into the lobby, guests are greeted by the sparkle of a lit marquee, suspended over a lively, Mondrian-inspired reception desk. On the upper level, a Moroccan infused chillout space features custom wood pallet and kilim sectionals, and a typographic mural by Dutch designer and typographic artist, Ceizer. Channeling the vibe of Paris’ many brasserie-lined streets, Café Fabien and its adjoining canteen open up to a garden and solarium. Finally, a curved concrete stair descends to the bar, conveying the impression of a secret Parisian metro party, complete with retro seat fabrics and curved metro tiles, terminating in a graphic print of a platform by local French photographer Ludovic Le Couster.
According to Mekhayech: “This generator project allowed the opportunity to give the interiors a bold attitude and a unique spirit, taking the guests on a cinematic journey. Rather than connecting each space, the design becomes an exploration of ideas — both real and surreal.”
The lighting concept, designed by Barcelona-based studio artec3, guest to enter, generating welcoming sensations and, at the same time,creating stimulus through dynamic compositions of contrast, making the spaces interesting. Maurici Gines, director of artec3, commented: “We first got the call to improve the visual comfort of the existing lighting, taking into account and reinforcing the Generator brand.’’ This was the beginning of a good relationship with the project manager, interior designers and client that led artec3 to complete the lighting scheme for Generator Paris, Amsterdam and now Rome.
The studio treated light as a material that can be transformed throughout the day. With this in mind, the communal spaces deliver a friendly ambience, inviting guests to get together and stay.The illumination, as in all Generator hostels, looks to be at one with the interior design, becoming a part of the space's decor.
“The interior lighting for this project has been very challenging,’’ Fernando Rojo, studio director explained. “We had to think about the design in an old fashion way by using vintage fittings in order to follow the style of the Generator brand.’’ With this in mind a combination of retro fittings with LED sources fill the hostel. From the entrance lobby to the restaurant and rooms, lights form part of the decoration thanks to the shape of adapted fittings recovered from the past.
Rojo explained: “The key point of the design was the integration of the architectural lighting design with the vintage fittings found in old-fashioned shops by the interior designer; and converting them into efficient sources of light, which could provide the different light ambiences we wanted to generate a cosy and intimate atmosphere.’’
In order to achieve this desired outcome, artec3 coordinated with the DesignAgency team to make sure the decorative elements could (as well as look appropriate)illuminate the different spaces effectively as per the concept's intentions. At the same time, converting the fittings into efficient luminaires by following the current electric standards and making sure the light sources wouldn't intefere with the original light effect of the fitting, proved a challenge for the studio.
Taking this into account, artec3 selected efficient, visually comforting architectural fixtures that create contrasts in the lounge areas. Manager Lighting Designer Nikoletta Theodoridi explained how: “the directional light was achieved by means of iGuzzini's Palco narrow beam projectors and LTS' CSA 900 recessed downlights, providing the space with diffuse task lighting.’’
On the whole, architectural lighting has been integrated by LED Linear's Vario LED light lines in the custom made furnishing of the space, assuring a warm colour temperature that covers the space and is the base of all lighting scenes. In service areas such as the staircase of the breakfast lounge, artec3 selected Flos' Kap Surface minimal pendant fixtures to fulfill the lighting levels required. The luminaires used in the public spaces as a whole, were required to be dimmable allowing them to meet all program requirements by the established preset scenes of the control system.
Rojo concluded: “All together it was tough and we had to fight until the last gasp to keep the re-purposed luminaires, but the result was worth it.’’
Pics: Nikolas Koenig
Amerlux partners with Enlighted
(USA) - Amerlux partnering with Enlighted to enable integration of controls with LED lighting fixtures.
Amerlux CEO and President Chuck Campagna has announced a partnership with Enlighted, Inc., the leading provider of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for commercial buildings and retail applications. The agreement will enable integration of the most intelligent and advanced lighting sensors and controls with innovative LED lighting fixtures from Amerlux.
“We are very excited to be the very first lighting manufacturer to partner with Enlighted for its Customer First program. This relationship positions us to offer LED lighting fixtures with built-in advanced smart sensors supported by a state of the art analytics platform,” explained Mr. Campagna. “Our customers now have the ability to utilise control-embedded lighting that's smart, code-compliant, and ahead of the technology curve.”
Enlighted Sensors are available with Amerlux's Linea and Gruv lines, as well as the new Stellina family of direct and indirect LED fixtures, and Stellina and Curvano LED low bay fixtures. The sensors are engineered with unique, secure data-rich architecture that provides unparalleled insights around the clock while helping to achieve sustainability goals and reducing costs. The controls offer motion and photometric sensors, dimming capabilities, and data collection.
“Integrating intelligence into our LED lighting fixtures will dramatically impact our customers' bottom line,” continued Mr. Campagna. “The big data analytics generated through this technology will enable high-growth customers to achieve significant efficiencies and substantial cost savings.”
Smart customised controls help management professionals reduce lighting and energy costs with an extremely impressive ROI of up to 80% for public buildings, without compromising comfort. A seamless, dense data cloud-based network collects, aggregates and communicates detailed information wirelessly on building occupancy and performance, environmental conditions, ambient light levels, temperature, and energy consumption. The system has the potential to extend savings to HVAC, real-time demand response, security, and safety systems.
“Lighting is only the beginning,” said Joe Costello, CEO of Enlighted. “Our mission is to change the way we interact with the spaces around us. These sensors give you unparalleled control over the spaces you manage. We offer a no-compromise solution, reducing energy spends by 65-80% while increasing the comfort and employee satisfaction of building users. For the first time ever, we are making fully responsive, fully personalised, fully connected workspaces, a reality.”
Enlighted's lighting control solutions improve energy efficiency in buildings, and the large volumes of data collected by the smart sensor network will enhance a broad range of applications, including space planning, indoor positioning and retail store analysis.
Soraa expands manufacturing operations
(USA) - Working with the State of New York, Soraa will open Syracuse, NY semiconductor fabrication plant and employ hundreds of workers.
Soraa announced today that it will open a new semiconductor fabrication plant in Syracuse, New York. In partnership with the State of New York, the company will construct a new state-of-the-art GaN on GaN LED fabrication facility that will employ hundreds of workers.
Working in coordination with SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (SUNY Poly CNSE), the new facility is on pace for shell completion by the end of this year with production beginning in the second half of 2016. Soraa currently operates an LED fabrication plant in Fremont, California, one of only a few in the United States.
"Central New York's economic growth is due in large part to high-tech companies like Soraa that recognise the region's wealth of assets and resources," said Governor Cuomo. "Today's announcement not only means economic stability for the region, but it also strengthens Central New York as leader in the development of the clean technology that will help light and power the future."
"Syracuse is an optimal location for the new fabrication facility for a number of reasons including the innovative high-tech vision and strategy of Governor Cuomo; the ability to attract some of the best and brightest scientists and engineers in the world; and the capacity to tightly control the product quality and intellectual property around our lighting products through our partnership with SUNY Poly CNSE," commented Jeff Parker, CEO of Soraa.
"Since we launched our first product in 2012, global market reception for our high quality of light LED products has been phenomenal and sales have soared. The new facility will significantly increase our manufacturing capacity to meet this growing demand."
It was announced in late 2013 that Soraa would expand its manufacturing operations to the Riverbend Commerce Park in Buffalo, NY. The plans outlined sharing the space with solar module manufacturer, Silevo. However, following the acquisition of Silevo by SolarCity, the facilities at Riverbend could no longer accommodate both Soraa's fabrication facility and the necessary square footage for SolarCity's expanded operations. As a result, it was back to the drawing board.
"Following the change with the Riverbend space, we remained focused on finding an optimal solution that worked for the State, Soraa and the talented workers that call upstate New York home," added Parker. "We're back on track with a great location and are targeting to employ at least 300 people to support a revenue stream of over $1 billion once fully functional."
"By taking Albany's nanotechnology-based public-private economic development model across New York State, Governor Andrew Cuomo has established an unmatched engine for long-term growth, and this latest announcement is a perfect example of how his jobs-focused strategy continues to pay dividends," said Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, President and CEO of SUNY Poly.
"SUNY Poly is thrilled to partner with Soraa to locate this advanced manufacturing facility and its resultant jobs, as well as the hands-on educational offerings that this will present for New York's students, adjacent to the Film Hub in Syracuse, where the company's cutting edge lighting technology can be adapted for production purposes. Each component of this collaboration is further proof that the Governor's unique vision for crafting commercialisation and manufacturing-based opportunities is a powerful recipe for a resurgent New York."
Moment Factory opens London office
(UK) - Ex Royal Albert Hall Head of Events Simon Lupini takes charge of new London office - the company's first in Europe.
Moment Factory, the world-leading multimedia and entertainment studio today announces the company's expansion with a new office in London.
The new office, headed up by ex Royal Albert Hall Head of Events and Cirque du Soleil Company Manager Simon Lupini, is the company's first in Europe and is designed to enable Moment Factory to increase collaboration with European-based clients and creative studio partners outside North America.
Moment Factory is an award winning multimedia and entertainment studio specialising in the conception and production of immersive environments combining video, lighting, architecture, sound and special effects to create remarkable experiences. Since its inception in 2001, the company has created more than 350 events, shows and installations. Productions span the globe and include such clients as Walt Disney, Nine Inch Nails, Microsoft, Madonna and Los Angeles World Airports.
The company has recently worked closely with a number of European client projects including the remarkable Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris, the immersive Tunisia Pavilion at the Expo Milano 2015, a multimedia spectacle at La Sagrada Familia for the City of Barcelona and the creation of multimedia shows and digital installations on Royal Caribbean's latest technologically advanced ships ‘Quantum of the Seas' and ‘Anthem of the Seas'.
"Opening an office in London is a natural progression for Moment Factory" said Eric Fournier, partner at Moment Factory. "It enables us to be closer to our European collaborators and clients who share our vision of bringing people together in public spaces through compelling events, shows and installations."
"Co-operation with creative studios has always been important to the Moment Factory way of working and I'm looking forward to strengthening our links with existing partners and building new relationships in London," said Simon Lupini, Managing Director of Moment Factory, London.
Moment Factory is headquartered in Montreal and has offices in Los Angeles.
Cecilia Ström joins ÅF Lighting
(Sweden) - As Group Manager of Architectural Lighting, Cecilia Ström will focus on encouraging dialogue and cooperation between architects and lighting designers.
Senior lead architect Cecilia Ström, previously of Wingårdhs and White Architects, has joined the ÅF Lighting team in Stockholm. Passionate about light and lighting, she aims to connect architects and lighting designers, creating closer cooperation between the two professions.
Cecilia Ström's job title at ÅF Lighting is Group Manager Architectural Lighting. This entails heading up a group of lighting designers, but she will also contribute in other ways.
Daniel Strömberg, Manager of ÅF Lighting in Stockholm, explained:"Cecilia took an active part in making Wingårdhs the premier architects' business that it is today. A few years ago, we set out on a similar path, and therefore Cecilia will be of great help to us in establishing ourselves as the preferred partner for lighting design in and around buildings. She will greatly contribute to the task of developing our processes and our range of services, she will strengthen our role in projects and help move lighting design up the agenda among architects, developers and project managers."
Ström particularly looks forward to broadening her skills and experience. She commented: "Although I am an architect, as opposed to a lighting designer, light has been pivotal throughout my career and with each project it has come to mean more to me. As I am curious by nature, I regard this opportunity to deepen my knowledge of light and daylighting as a great privilege."
In her new role, she will focus on encouraging dialogue and cooperation. "I hope that my experience from complex building projects, my insight into the reality of architects and my extensive network will strengthen ÅF Lighting. Creating a building is a process, and I will strive to make lighting design enter into it at an earlier stage than before," said Ström.
Targetti USA appoints new Vice President of Sales
(USA) - Antonio Cuccoli brings wealth of experience to help new North American operations for the Targetti Group expand US presence and ability to deliver projects around the glob
Targetti USA, the new North American operations for the Targetti Group, has appointed Antonio Cuccoli, Vice President of Sales - North America.
“We are extremely excited about Antonio joining our new team at Targetti USA. He brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge in architectural lighting from both a US and International perspective,’’ commented Marie Paris, U.S. Business Development Manager, Targetti USA.
"Antonio has spent the last eight years serving in a Sales Management capacity for Targetti so he is innately familiar with our products and he will now represent Targetti USA serving as the Vice President of Sales for North America. His new role will help our new independent sales organisation maximise and expand our US presence and ability to deliver and support projects around the globe."
Cuccoli will be responsible for the creation of sales and business development for Targetti and DuraLamp products through specification sales, retail accounts, national accounts and working directly to support Targetti USA Sales Representatives. He will be working closely with these vertical markets across the US and internationally, to acquaint them on new and custom lighting solutions from both Targetti and DuraLamp brands.
Cuccoli has served in many capacities within the lighting industry most recently serving as a lighting-sales representative in the North East Region for Targetti Poulsen USA. As a Regional Sales Manager, Cuccoli worked on a variety of both local and international projects covering retail, residential, industrial, corporate and commercial applications. He is an active member of the lighting design community and holds a Business Management & Administration degree. With this deep knowledge of all aspects of the industry, as well as his language capabilities (English and Italian), Cuccoli's experience provides a unique perspective to fully serve the clients and representatives of Targetti USA.
Mayor of London welcomes Lumiere London
(UK) - New major international light festival from Artichoke to bring more than 20 artists to London's West End and King's Cross in January 2016.
The Mayor of London has welcomed the first Lumiere light festival, taking place over four nights from 14-17 January 2016. Lumiere London will be a free-to-attend event, produced by Artichoke and supported by the Mayor of London and VisitLondon.com, with founding support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Heart of London Business Alliance and King's Cross, and additional support from a raft partners and sponsors.
Lumiere London will be the first major light festival in the city, an event to rival international festivals such as Vivid Sydney, Berlin's Festival of Lights and Fête de Lumières in Lyon. It will take place over four evenings across more than 20 landmark locations in London's West End and King's Cross.
Artichoke, one of the UK's leading creative companies, has produced a biennial Lumiere festival in Durham since 2009. It has unveiled the programme for the fourth Lumiere festival in Durham, 12-15 November 2015. Taking place during UNESCO’s International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies, Lumiere is commissioned and funded by Durham County Council with additional support from Arts Council England and a raft of sponsors.
The fourth Lumiere festival will see some of the world’s most eminent artists transform Durham City’s unique urban landscape and architecture into a magical nocturnal adventure. Artists include Janet Echelman from the US, Fujiko Nakaya from Japan, Catherine Garret from France, as well as two French pioneers of digital art, Miguel Chevalier and Patrice Warrener.
Alongside international artists, County Durham’s residents will be playing a starring role in this year’s festival. Working in collaboration with Lumiere artists locally produced ideas include Home Sweet Home and Precious. More than200 local people will also help Durham shine as they take on the role of Festival Makers, supported this year by Northumbrian Water.However, this is the first time the company has brought the concept to London. Pioneering international artists have been commissioned to create works for the festival, giving visitors and Londoners the opportunity to see the city in a new light.
This new festival will reinforce London's global reputation as a leader in culture and the arts and is expected to draw visitors to the capital from the UK and around the world at a traditionally quieter time of year.
The sites for the installations will include some of the city's most iconic buildings and locations. As with all Artichoke projects, an element of surprise will be integral to the experience and the exact locations will remain under wraps until closer to the time.
British artist Julian Opie has been commissioned to make a major new work especially for the festival, supported by Shaftesbury PLC. He will join more than two dozen international artists, performers and designers who have been invited to transform London's iconic streets and architecture using the medium of light. US artist Janet Echelman combines ancient craft techniques with cutting edge technology for her vast aerial net sculptures inspired by natural phenomena. 1.8 London is a new work constructed from thousands of feet of knotted twine. The sculpture is inspired by the 2011 Japanese Tsunami, which sped up the earth's vibrations and temporarily shortened the length of the day by 1.8 micro-seconds. Floating high above a central London meeting point, the delicate simplicity of Echelman's work belies the architectural precision and complex rigging involved. Audiences will be able to change its light and patterns via a specially-created App, powered by Atom Bank.
Paris-based Irish artists Anne Cleary and Dennis Connolly use innovative new technologies to make huge interactive projections and describe their work as ‘observer participation'. Cleary Connolly's Joining the Dots is a new commission by King's Cross, developed from the artists' recent collaboration with perceptive psychologists and composed with people from the local community. BinaryWaves by Belgian art-studio LAb[au] has its roots in the cybernetic art of the 1960s. Transposing the electromagnetic waves that carry telecommunications into light, sound and motion across 40 undulating illuminated panels, the work responds to the everyday rhythms of the city.
Helen Marriage, Artichoke Director and curator of Lumiere London said: "Lumiere London is the first Artichoke event in the capital for six years and marks the opening of our 10th anniversary year. Free and accessible to all, it brings great art out onto the streets, beyond the closed spaces of the gallery or the concert hall".
"Lumiere was born in Durham and its incredible success has been recognised across the world. Lumiere London will be a very different event with its own artistic programme, but the principles remain the same".
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "Lumiere London will be a dazzling new festival for the capital, designed to expel the post-Christmas blues and bring a much needed fillip for businesses and the public during dark and dreary January. It's another example of our city's creativity and its unrivalled cultural riches, which draw visitors from around the world and bring billions to our economy."
Artichoke are working with Team London, the Mayor's volunteering programme for London, to recruit over 200 volunteers from across the capital to help make the festival a success. From sharing knowledge of the city and recommending places to eat and drink, to helping audiences discover more about the art works.
Dextra invests in future
(UK) - British lighting manufacturer purchases three metal working machines from Italian machine tool producer Salvagnini.
In line with long standing policy of investing in British manufacturing, Dextra has purchased three highly efficient metal working machines produced by its long standing supplier partner, Salvagnini S.p.A., the Italian machine tool producer. While the new S4 punch and 3.2-metre P4 folder are replacement for aging equipment, the high capacity S2 punch is additional. The company currently operates the only other S2 in the UK.
Already in 2015, an additional high capacity compactor has been installed to cope with increased volume for group subsidiary Dexreco Recycling and the R&D division is recipient of a new integrating sphere required for the accurate testing of in-house produced LEDex light engines.
The recent acquisition of an adjacent property and planning permission allows for a purpose built HGV vehicle maintenance area and the installation of equipment to allow the company to be self-sufficient in packaging.
Total expenditure is likely to be in the region of £2.5million and will be funded from the company's own resources. All of the above will be operational by February 2016.
Artemide expands
(Italy) - Design-oriented Italian lighting manufacturer continues to grow with new flagship stores in Chicago and Warsaw.
Artemide continues to grow with new flagship stores in Chicago, US, and Warsaw, Poland, confirming its expansion strategy involving important cities and significant shopping districts.
Both designed by architecture firm Studio de Bevilacqua, the Chicago store is a 2,800sqft showroom, showcasing the full range of Artemide lighting solutions, including new products, iconic fixtures and the latest innovative lights for architectural projects.
Studio de Bevilacqua maintained the integrity of the industrial building, incorporating the existing structure and architectural details, like exposed brick walls and wooden ceiling beams, into the design. By adding walls to separate without enclosing display areas, there is a seamless flow from room to room. Suspended cloud ceilings allowed Artemide to display ceiling and suspended fixtures at a realistic height without compromising the original ceiling structure.
Three large windows on West Hubbard Street allow passersby to look in through the entire space. The showroom is designed to serve as an exhibition space and lighting competency centre. It serves as a meeting point and consulting space for design professionals working on residential, hospitality, office, retail and outdoor urban and landscaping projects.
Founder of Artemide Group Ernesto Gismondi commented: "The Chicago market has been integral to the growth of Artemide in North America. We are thrilled to re-open this location for the sophisticated consumers, interior designers and architects of Chicago. Through the new showroom we will showcase a wide array of products that reflect the lighting competences that the Artemide team has developed over the years."
Further to this, Artemide open the first branded showroom in Warsaw, Poland, including Central and Eastern Europe. In the centre of the city's university district, the showroom is hosted inside a historical building containing the Idea MM exhibiting venue, a partner in the introduction of Artemide in Poland and distributor of international furniture brands.
The showroom offers high-level technological solutions for the lighting sector and an overview of the highlights of the Design and Architectural, Indoor and Outdoor collections of the Artemide and Danese product range. Conceived to provide a comprehensive overview of Artemide appliances, the one-storey showroom features spaces designed according to different colour codes to introduce smart lighting projects, closely focused on sustainability and designed by international architects and designers.
A place providing the right solution for any project, the showroom stands as a reference point for designers, a lighting consultancy centre for architects and professional lighting designers, offering a blend of products, competence, and design. Lighting specialists can find interactive and multimedia catalogues, supported by digital services that ensure perfect energy management for a sensible use of lighting, including the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) calculation system.
ÅF Lighting expands to Uppsala
(Sweden) - New recruits Andreas Wiil and Andreas Almstedt set up office on behalf of ÅF Lighting, strengthening its range of services in the region.
ÅF continues to grow its lighting business. In Uppsala, new recruits Andreas Wiil and Andreas Almstedt have recently set up office on behalf of ÅF Lighting.
For ÅF, lighting design and planning is a growing business area. Currently, ÅF has some 70 employees at offices in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, Oslo and Copenhagen. Recently, another two were recruited. They will be based at the ÅF office in Uppsala, where the company has established operations within the heating, ventilation and sanitation, electrical installations and urban planning departments. In other words, ÅF is strengthening its range of services in this region.
Wiil and Almstedt are Uppsala-based lighting designers with extensive experience. Both have studied lighting design in Jönköping and were previously employed by Projektel.
Wiil, a former ÅF employee, was the first to be asked, and quick to accept: “I enjoyed working at ÅF and have kept in touch with my old colleagues there, but I chose another employer as my daily commute was too long. Therefore, it was an easy decision when I was asked to form part of their new lighting unit in Uppsala.’’
As further co-workers were required, Wiil suggested his colleague Almstedt. The latter has participated in major infrastructure projects and is also a licensed electrician, with five years experience of electrical installations.
Almstedt commented: “It felt like a set-up with good prospects. We know each other well, we work well together and share an approach to lighting matters. Also, there is a demand for good lighting design here in Uppsala!’’
Daniel Strömberg, ÅF Lighting Manager in Stockholm, was the one to initiate the expansion: “We have recruited two very competent individuals to strengthen our presence in this expansive region.’’
“There is plenty of construction going on in and around Uppsala: housing, offices, hospitals, infrastructure and several new sports arenas. Consequently, we see a great demand for our expertise which makes it logical to expand our lighting business to this location. I have high hopes that it will result in many interesting new projects and fruitful partnerships,’’ continued Strömberg.
Ronnie Eriksson joins ÅF Lighting
(Sweden) - Chairman of Swedish Lighting Industry Association's LED section to take on specialist role with responsibility for standards, smart city solutions and ÅF Lighting Academy.
Ronnie Eriksson, an experienced and multi-skilled individual in the industry, has joined the lighting team at ÅF. Previously with the Zumtobel Group, he is renowned for his expertise within LED, standards, training, lighting concepts and product and business development. He is the author of several publications and is much in demand as a speaker. For many years, Eriksson has been a dynamic force in various sections of the Swedish Lighting Industry Association, as chairman of their LED section, for instance.
Daniel Strömberg, Head of Business Area Lighting in Stockholm, is enthusiastic about the appointment: "Ronnie Eriksson is one of the foremost experts in this sector and it's fantastic to welcome him on board at ÅF. I have high expectations as regards what he will bring to our team and our customers with his high level of knowledge, his energy and commitment. Having Eriksson with us is testament to our appeal and strength as an employer."
At ÅF, Eriksson will take on a technical specialist role with responsibility for standards, smart city solutions and ÅF Lighting's future training programme, ÅF Lighting Academy. He will be based at the company's Stockholm office.
“I'm proud to be part of ÅF and I see this move as an opportunity to take on new challenges and develop professionally. I want to use my new role to share my many years of experience in the industry and take an innovative approach to helping the company identify new sources of income,’’ said Eriksson.