The Value of Light - An AI Take Away
https://vimeo.com/1034345238
Juan Ferrari, Project Director at Hoare Lea explores how light is more than just illumination — it is a language that shapes emotions, influences well-being, and transforms environments. Its value transcends mere functionality, enriching both tangible and intangible experiences. Light carries time within it.
It’s about envisaging the future because every light you see is already in the past, connecting us to both what has been and what is yet to come.
WAC Lighting Launches WAC Group
(USA) - WAC Lighting has announced the launch of the WAC Group, a new collective for its distinctive lighting and smart fans brands. The group combines cutting-edge technology, exceptional design, and a commitment to customer success under the tagline "Technology Illuminated."
The new parent brand brings together WAC Lighting, Modern Forms, Schonbek, AiSPIRE, WAC Limited, and WAC Landscape Lighting under one umbrella, creating a one-stop destination for lighting and fan solutions in residential and commercial spaces.
The unified portfolio provides lighting showrooms, homeowners, architects, interior designers, lighting designers, landscapers, integrators, and other professionals with a range of products spanning various styles, price points, and advanced lighting and fan technologies.
"WAC Group combines our heritage of design with the latest technology," says Becki Li, President of WAC Lighting. "By bringing our brands together, we're enhancing our ability to provide innovative solutions that not only illuminate spaces but improve how people use light – making environments smarter and more energy-efficient."
Jenifer Walsh, Chief Marketing Officer, adds: "We're creating a future where lighting is more than just lighting. It's lighting technology that is more intuitive, efficient, and inspiring than ever before. By unifying our portfolio of brands, we're setting new industry standards in function and design and delivering this broad range of innovative solutions to our customers.”
The WAC Group will maintain its individual brands' names, websites, and teams while offering a streamlined approach to servicing lighting professionals and end users.
www.waclighting.com
Deadline for [d]arc awards entries extends
(Worldwide) – Designers, you now have until 4 February to enter your project lighting schemes and lighting products to be in with a chance of winning the prestigious [d]arc award accolade.
Organised in collaboration with Light Collective, the [d]arc awards utilise the worldwide reputation of arc and darc magazines and offers a unique opportunity to showcase your work to the global design community.
Anyone can enter, including lighting designers, architects, interior designers, or manufacturers. Once the shortlist has been chosen by an international jury, independent lighting designers, architects, interior designers, and product designers can vote on their favourite projects and products, making this the only peer-to-peer lighting design awards in the world.
The categories include:
- Spaces High / Low
- Place High / Low
- Structures High / Low
- Art High / Low / Bespoke
- Kit Exterior / Interior / Technology
- Event
Those who make it through the voting stage (and you must vote in each category) will be invited to attend the exclusive [d]arc night party in London on the 25th of April – an event that has created a reputation as one of the must-attend events of the year for lighting, where the winners shall be announced. Now that the [d]arc awards is reaching its 10 year milestone the night promises to be one with more prestige and glamour than ever before, with repuation for putting on a good night out this won't be one you'd want to miss.
Finally, all submissions are published on the website and entrants also benefit from a free [d]arc awards directory company profile – a comprehensive online lighting design resource that can be used by designers and clients for inspiration.
Submissions must be entered on or before the 4 February. Please head to www. darcawards.com/enter-the-awards to find out more.
Signify launches Pioneers of Light portal
(Online) – Signify has announced the launch of Pioneers of Light, an online portal offering access to the latest light innovations, suite tools, and a wealth of resources.
Pioneers of Light is designed specifically to the needs, challenges and workflows for the lighting design community.
Commenting on the launch, Darren Smith, Specification Lead at Signify UK&I, says: “Lighting designs are rapidly becoming more creative and ambitious than ever, driven by client requirements having increased focus on all pillars of sustainability. As a result, lighting projects are becoming more complex. With the launch of the Pioneers of Light portal, at Signify, we aim to partner with the design community to empower them to bring their clients’ projects and vision to life with a lighting solution that makes a difference.”
Key features include:
- One-stop product configurator – lets users browse, configure, and specify lighting products, whether it’s a quick selection based on photometric parameters or create detailed configuration. When finished, download all relevant information with a single click and even generate a configuration ID to share with clients or use for price inquiries.
- DIAlux or Relux – Drag and drop photometric files directly into your DIALux or Relux lighting projects and create a bill of materials including a configuration ID for easy ordering.
- Quick Light Plan Calculator – intuitive light calculator saves time by creating a light plan for simple indoor office and industrial applications. Simply fill out the dimensions, properties and performance requirements of the space and Signify set you up with a light plan that meets your project’s standards.
Additionally, the design community can also benefit from, and have easy access to case studies, all Signify brands, webinars, training and educational resources about smart lighting, system features and capabilities, to help them stay updated.
HLB Lighting Design welcomes Kevin Frary as Director in Seattle
(USA) – HLB Lighting Design has announced the appointment of Kevin Frary as Director in a strategic move to expand its presence in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.
Frary brings more than two decades of experience of architectural lighting design to the firm, contributing to award-winning projects that combine technical and artist style.
Frary shares: “Joining HLB marks the exciting next phase of my career – an opportunity to collaborate with a team whose work I have long respected and admired. I am eager to contribute to the growth, helping expand its presence and portfolio in Seattle, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With deep appreciation to HLB’s legacy, I look forward to helping shape the future of lighting design with such a visionary firm.”
Principal and CEO of HLB, Carrie Hawley, says: “We are thrilled to have Frary join our team as a director in Seattle. His remarkable expertise and proven ability to drive innovation align perfectly with our vision for growth and excellence in the Pacific Northwest. We are confident Kevin will help us deliver transformative design experiences and look forward to this exciting new step establishing better care to our clients in a region we have developing for 20 years.”
www.hlblighting.com
Jack Neill Joins Pharos Leadership Team as Product Director
(UK) - Pharos Architectural Controls has promoted Jack Neill, former Senior product Manager, to Product Director.
With more than 13 years of hands-on experience with Pharos technology – both in-house and as a systems specifier – Neill steps into the role from his former position, which he has held since 2022.
Neill’s journey with Pharos began in 2011 after earning a degree in Lighting Design and Technology. Starting in technical support, he rose to manage the team before transitioning to client-side roles and a stint at SixEye, before returning to Pharos in 2020.
“For me, it’s all about developing incredible products and technology that drive the best outcomes for our customers and partners,” says Neill. “I’m excited to build on our successes and continue delivering across the Pharos ranges.”
Pharos CEO, Simon Hicks, adds: “Jack’s promotion reflects his outstanding leadership in product management. With his experience and vision, he’ll play a critical role in shaping our strategy and driving innovation.”
Neko Lighting - Sense 55
With a compact 55mm size and 8W power output, the Sense 55 downlight delivers high performance despite its small form. Its shield angle greater than 45° ensures glare-free illumination, while the soft and seamless gradient of light provides precise, uniform lighting. Available in various finishes, it seamlessly integrates into any ceiling for a clean, modern look.
Recolight welcomes new code of practice
UK) - Recolight has welcomed the publication of the new code of practice for the remanufacture of lighting equipment, published by BSI last month.
The new publication is numbered BS8887:221 2024 and is now available from BSI. The document provides a structured approach to the assessment of used luminaires and components, defining a scope of works, electrical and mechanical remanufacture, component selection, markings and instructions, and testing/validation.
Commenting on the news, Recolight CEO Nigel Harvey says: “The specification is a major step forward, helping to normalise the remanufacture of lighting equipment. First and foremost, it should give confidence to specifiers, end users, and producers that luminaires remanufactured in accordance with the requirements are compliant and fit for purpose.”
He adds: “This code of practice has been developed thanks to the hard work and dedication of the drafting committee. Particular thanks go to the Committee Chairman Tom Ruddle, formerly Remanufacturing Engineer at Egg Lighting. He was instrumental in keeping the team, and the project, firmly on track.”
The specification was developed over some two years, including representatives from lighting manufacturers, luminaire designers, lighting designers, the Lighting Industry Association, and Recolight.
Remanufacture is a vital way in which producers and end users can better embrace a circular economy, by keeping products (or parts of products) in service for longer. It is the logical application of the “Reduce – Reuse – Recycle” hierarchy to the lighting industry. Typical embodied carbon savings from remanufactured products are 50-80% compared to new products, with similar levels of waste avoidance.
More of UK lighting companies are now engaging in remanufacture. One of the most common approaches is to retrofit fluorescent luminaires with LED light sources, thus retaining the body of the luminaire. Such remanufacturing operations can either take place in a producer’s factory or can also take place at a customer site.
InSpotlight returns to Light + Intelligent Building Middle East
(UAE) – InSpotlight, a platform for light innovations, is set to return on 14 – 16 of January, at Light + Intelligent Building Middle East.
Now in its third year, InSpotlight provides a platform for industry leaders, enthusiasts, and innovators to come together to discuss the future of lighting, design, and technology.
With more than 40 international speakers, InSpotlight will showcase the latest breakthroughs in lighting technology, sustainability, and design trends. From energy-efficient smart lighting solutions to revolutionary advancements in global lighting standards, the stage is set for three days of unparalleled inspiration and collaboration.
The event kicks off with the Specifier’s Arena, where brands will compete for "Product of the Year". The award covers four subcategories which include 'Indoor Lighting', 'Outdoor Lighting', 'Decorative Lighting', and 'Intelligent Lighting Solution of the Year.' Representatives from various companies, including LEDFlex Group, iGuzzini, Bega, Targetti, Media Façade, Catellani & Smith, Intra Lighting, Arkoslight, Erco, ateljé Lyktan, ewo, Inventronics, Flashnet, Madrix, and Linea Light, will take the stage to present their shortlisted products to an independent panel of judges.
The second day will feature a series of presentations and panel discussions, which highlight the latest industry innovations, while Tac Lion, General Manager, Media Façade will host a session on the ways in which smart lighting systems are changing the way we interact with our surroundings.
Matteo Toscan, Head of Application, Street and Area at Inventronics will conduct a presentation on ‘Outdoor Smart Lighting and IoT integration’, exploring how connectivity technology and smart LED systems improve outdoor lighting, helping end-users to reduce energy and maintenance costs.
The final day focuses on fostering alignment in global lighting practices. The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and Society of Light and Lighting (SLL) will host a joint workshop on core principles, from energy efficiency to human-centric design and dark-sky initiatives. Attendees will also get hands-on experience with an IES tool designed to simplify illuminance standards worldwide. Following this, arc Editor Matt Waring will moderate a panel on Building Commonality on Global Lighting Best Practices. Speakers on this panel include Dan Lister, SLL President; Brienne Willcock, Director of Education and Standards, IES; Mark Lien, Consultant, IES; Riad Saraiji, Professor and Dean of the College of Architecture, Art, and Design, Ajman University; Regina Santos, Founder, Light Fusion; and Jelena Lazarevic, Associate, Foundry.
Light + Intelligent Building Middle East is held in Za’abeel Hall 1 – 4, Dubai World Trade Centre, with InSpotLight housed in Za’abeel Hall 1 across all three days of the show.
www.light-middle-east.ae.messefrankfurt.com
Dark Frontier - A Dark Skies Presentation
https://vimeo.com/1034342720
At no point in our history, have we produced and consumed light more than now. This has led light pollution to increase at an alarming rate impacting on the wellbeing of all earthlings while changing our perception of the night. Speakers Kerem Asfuroglu, Dark Source hosted a presentation consisting of dark sky friendly lighting design precedents and exploring the trends in tackling light pollution.
DALI, TALQ, and Zhaga join forces
(Worldwide) - DALI Alliance (DALI), TALQ Consortium (TALQ), and Zhaga Consortium (Zhaga) have signed a landmark liaison agreement to streamline data and control systems for outdoor lighting.
This collaboration promises to simplify investment choices for cities and private operators, enabling seamless communication between interoperable components across outdoor lighting systems.
DALI’s specialty lies in developing digital lighting control specs, with widely recognised certification programmes like DALI-2, D4i, and DALI+, all geared toward ensuring smooth integration of lighting components. TALQ brings a globally accepted protocol that standardises data exchange across diverse smart city applications, from lighting to environmental sensors. Zhaga’s expertise in LED interface specifications has been instrumental in compatibility across LED modules from different manufacturers.
"The D4i certification program plays a crucial role in enabling the seamless integration of streetlights into smart city applications, enabling interoperability and sustainability, while gathering critical data for asset management, diagnostics and energy monitoring," says Paul Drosihn, General Manager of the DALI Alliance. "By working closely with Zhaga and TALQ, we’re fostering a future-proof ecosystem that enhances supply chain longevity, security, and the right to repair – building resilient infrastructure that supports smart cities for the long term."
“For us, it is a logical step to work together with DALI and Zhaga. Not only do we share the same goals, but the composition of the member companies also has a large overlap. The better the standards in the street lighting environment become, the more sustainable and future-proof the investment decisions of cities and operators will be,” explains Simon Dunkley, Secretary General of the TALQ Consortium.
“We are thrilled to take this step forward together with DALI and TALQ. By combining our efforts and expertise, we are working towards a more interconnected and efficient future for smart lighting. This partnership ensures that we are all moving in the same direction, uniting our ambitions and promoting real-world interoperability," says Heinrich Thye, Secretary General of Zhaga.
www.zhagastandard.org.
www.talq-consortium.org.
www.dali-alliance.org.
