2023 theme announced for Workspace Design Show
(UK) - Workspace Design Show returns for 2023 after its inaugural edition last year.
Workspace Design Show will take place at the Business Design Centre, London, on 27 - 28 February, and is getting ready to host a whole range of creatives from the UK’s workplace industry, with the theme of this year’s show being ‘Destination Workplace’.
Gensler will be designing the show entrance, with the theme ‘Destination Workplace Rebirth’. Becky Spenceley, Design Director at Gensler, who is leading the project, said: "It feels like there has never been a more exciting and yet equally unknown time in the future of workplace design.
"We are inspired by this synergy between a new era of workplace and a new outlook on how we can care for our planet, and how we as designers can affect that through pioneering and sustainable design. It’s about fresh perspectives to enable new ways of working and create unique and tailored destinations for people, hence the overarching theme of Rebirth."
Over the course of the event there will be a diverse range of speakers, within an enticing talks programme, providing three talks theatres which attendees can choose from.
Refreshing, post-Covid opinions will be discussed in the Talks Lounge, curated by The Furniture Practice. In addition, attendees will be able to listen to the leading lights from architecture and design, and end-users talking about the latest trends, challenges and innovations in the workplace sector.
New to this year is the Bio Materials exhibition, designed by BIOHM, with biological systems at the heart of it’s inspiration. This will combine ideologies of the circular economy and human-centred design with future-tech, representing an exciting opportunity for visitors to discover advanced materials, that will be crucial to the future of design.
Architecture practice BDP is responsible for ‘Change by Design’ a lounge space concept for the 2023 Workspace Design Show. This will provide a discussion piece surrounding the current climate crisis, and will question the impact of workplace design on the natural environment. It represents a problem-solving approach that will demonstrate how the use of recycled, reused and bio materials in design projects can help to shape a low-carbon future.
The FIS, (Finishes & Interiors Sector) Innovation awards will also take place at the show, recognising outstanding innovation in the finishes and interiors sector across various categories. The Workspace Design Show party will also be making a welcome return.
The show will also provide visitors with the chance to explore the latest product launches that are transforming the employee experience in our workplaces, creating spaces for people to harbour creativity and enjoy working in.
workspaceshow.co.uk
Bath Abbey, UK awarded 2021 [d]arc awards ‘Best of the Best’
(Global) – [d]arc awards prove massive success for seventh year with 550 attendees at Fabric, London.
On the evening of Thursday 31 March 2021, the design community came out in force at Fabric nightclub in London to support the only peer-to-peer lighting design awards in the world and find out which studios had won in this year’s prestigious [d]arc awards.
Sponsored by Applelec; Delta Light; formalighting; iGuzzini; Kingfisher Lighting; Lutron; Rako; Seoul Semiconductor; Tryka and We-ef, Mesh (bar sponsor) and Linea Light Group (photo booth sponsor), an astonishing 15,000 votes from designers were received in total while 262 project entries and 92 product entries were submitted. The 2021 entries came from all over the world, with 42 countries represented this year.
Awarded the coveted [d]arc awards ‘Best of the Best’ for 2021, was Bath Abbey in the UK by Michael Grubb Studio, which won the Places – High Budget category. This award is given to the project that received the most amount of votes out of all the project category winners.
The Bath Abbey Footprint project is a historic £19.3m transformation programme of restoration work that aims to provide contemporary and sustainable solutions to meet the needs of the Abbey.
Commenting on this year’s awards, [d]arc media Managing Director, Paul James couldn’t be happier with how the event has gone, saying: “It was fantastic to hold the [d]arc awards as a live event again. The lighting design profession thrives on face to face interaction so this was a welcome return. To have 550 people at Fabric was great to see! I want to thank everyone that entered, voted and came to the awards ceremony. A special thank you to the sponsors and lighting design partners who put so much effort into the installations. They all looked spectacular and bring something special to the unique format of the [d]arc awards. I can’t wait to do it all again next year!”
Returning as an in-person event for the first time since 2019, [d]arc night proved once more that it is the ‘must-attend’ party for the design community. Held for the second time at the legendary Fabric nightclub in London, alongside the awards presentation, guests enjoyed a night full of entertainment including karaoke, a photo booth, neon face paint as well as DJs, along with complementary food and drink. The event was once again live streamed on Youtube to a wider international audience.
The light installations this year were themed around ‘Songs’ and the nine design teams were all tasked with making their installations as sustainable as possible.
- LDI teamed up with Lutron and Applelec for their installation based on Fireflies by Owl City.
- WSP worked with Seoul Semiconductor and themed their installation on Toploader’s Dancing In The Moonlight.
- Michael Grubb Studio and We-ef also used Dancing in The Moonlight as their inspiration but by the artist Jubel NEIMY.
- Hoare Lea & Kingfisher looked to Deee-Lite’s Groove Is in The Heart.
- Foundry and Delta Light went with The Smiths’ There Is a Light That Never Goes Out.
- Buro Happold and iGuzzini based their installation on Clair De Lune (Moonlight) by Claude Debussy.
- MBLD and formalighting were inspired by Billy Ocean’s Red Light.
- dpa lighting consultants and Tryka went indie with Muse’s Supermassive Black Hole.
- Foster + Partners, along with Rako, turned to Dance into the Light by Phil Collins.
Entries for the 2022 [d]arc awards will open on: Monday 11 April, 2022
For full details on all the project and product winners and further awards information head to: www.darcawards.com
All images: GavriiLux
PLDC international design ideas now open
(France) – What will the cities of tomorrow look like? PLDC is calling individual lighting designers, architects and engineers as well as interdisciplinary teams to action.
Ideas and projects that will help define the future of urban lighting can now be submitted for the International Design Ideas Competition 2017.
The ten best submissions of creative and intelligent solutions to support and enhance social life in cities will be showcased during the Professional Lighting Design Week from 27 October – 05 November, 2017 in designated showrooms in Paris.
Prizes of €5,000, €3 and €1,500 will be awarded to the overall best three and their names announced at the PLDC Gala Dinner on 4 November, 2017.
The competition is global and open to everyone. The comprehensive Call for Entries can be downloaded free-of-charge here. The fee to enter the Design Ideas competition is €75 per submission (student fee €35 + student ID).
All entries must be registered using the registration form by 31 March, 2017. The submission date for the design competition documents is 15 May, 2017. By this date, all documents must have been uploaded.
The Light Lab launches new website
(UK) - London-based architectural lighting specialists, The Light Lab launches new website.
Over the past few months, The Light Lab has been working closely with creative agency, Kingsland Linassi, to deliver a dynamic, user-friendly website that better showcases the company’s varied and accomplished work to date, completed across the UK and around the world.
Adding to The Light Lab’s already large portfolio, the new-look website features new imagery of its most recent lighting projects, including; Here East, Stratford; 30 Cannon Street, London; and Lexington Avenue, New York City. The Light Lab’s expert level of craftsmanship and attention to design detail is highlighted throughout the site with full-width imagery, plus featured case studies documenting the progression of projects, from the architect’s initial drawings, through to the finished installations.
The site also sees the introduction of new data sheets for each of The Light Lab’s bespoke products, as well as CAD files and photometric data, helping users to identify products with ease. New products have also been added to the already expansive LED lighting range.
Designed and built with the user in mind, the new website is both mobile and desktop friendly, allowing users to easily navigate the website and peruse or download product catalogues & high resolution project images at their convenience.
The vibrant and contemporary website helps to both reinforce and grow The Light Lab’s reputation as one of the architectural lighting industry’s market leaders in bespoke lighting manufacture, design and installation, on a national and growing global scale. It conveys The Light Lab’s hands on, innovative approach and acts as a visual platform from which they will continue to attract the industry’s brightest, most talented designers and architects.
Light Symposium Wismar confirms 2016 theme
(Germany) - Light Symposium Wismar 2016 (LSW 2016) is a three-day international forum that will bring together recent insights into the effects of healthy light and lighting in daily life with respect to research, theory, technologies, design, and applications.
Following the popular symposia in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2015 in Wismar and Stockholm, the fifth edition aims to deliver a state-of-the-art outline of how natural and artificial light affects human beings' physical and mental health, efficiency, and performance. The symposium offers an outstanding occasion for researchers, students, and practitioners to keep up-to-date with recent findings.
The LSW 2016 will be held from October 12th - 14th 2016 and the main theme this year is the Future of Healthy Light and Lighting in daily life. The organisers chose this topic because of the fact that modern lighting technologies and design should address and, if possible, be based on the evidence revealed by scientific studies. The use of new technologies such as LEDs is already changing the future of lighting design and will continue to do so. The title of this year’s LSW 2016 event is a clear pointer to a world that is changing dramatically, with human health and well-being being the area most affected. The impact of this and the opportunities it offers are hard to define right now, which is why they are the subject of our debate.
Also, today and in the future, architectural lighting design needs to better acknowledge the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists, medical researchers, the lighting industry, and lighting designers. Therefore, education and continuing education in the form of such an event is, and will remain, the basis for all developments in the field of lighting design as a discipline and profession.
The interdisciplinary structure of LSW 2016 promotes future-oriented discussion on the importance of light and the lighting design profession. Thirteen renowned speakers from lighting design, art, environmental science and medical science from Germany, the US, Canada, Switzerland, Norway and the UK will be presenting their talks in three different tracks: Lighting Design Practice, Lighting Research and Related Aspects, Medical Science and Lighting.
This year there will be two keynote speakers. On Thursday 13th October Mark Major, lighting designer and founding partner of Speirs + Major, will speak on 'The Qualities of the Night – Why We Need Light After Dark.' On Friday 14th October Alexander Wunsch, a physician, researcher and lecturer in light medicine and photobiology with particular interest in the effects of light and the beneficial / adverse health impacts of solar radiation and artificial light sources on endocrine and cellular levels in humans. He will speak on 'Photoendocrinology and How Natural and Artificial Light Impact on the Human Endocrine System and Hormones.'
The comprehensive supporting programme is also designed to stimulate discussion and debate. The Experience Room where attendees are able to test the latest lighting measuring devices, two guided tours to visit the UNESCO heritage old town of Wismar, networking opportunities during coffee breaks and lunches, Movie Evening, the LSPC16 Award Ceremony culminating with a PLDC 2017 Warm Up Party event - all contribute to expanding LSW16’s reputation as a quality lighting event.
LSW 2016 will also host the final of the students’ and young designers’ speaker competition: The Light Symposium Paper Competition (LSPC16). There are four paper topics: Fundamentals, Architecture, Health, and Design. Four young talents will be competing for the first prize on 13th and 14th October in the final stage.
Within the framework of the final, the speakers will be judged on the quality of the content of their papers and the professional quality of the presentation itself. The jury, supported by independent experts, will decide on an overall winner who will receive a free ticket to the PLDC in Paris, France and have the opportunity to present their paper at the eighth edition of LEDforum in São Paulo, Brazil in 2017. The winner will be announced on Friday 14th October during the LSPC16 Awards Ceremony.
Revamp for Luxonic
(UK) - Luxonic unveils new look to launch the celebration of its 30th anniversary.
The extensive rebrand, accompanied by a new website, has been introduced as the business looks forward to the next 30 years with a growing portfolio of high profile commercial projects.
Luxonic started life as a commercial lighting manufacturer from its base in Hampshire in 1986. Since then it has grown to become a designer of commercial lighting, delivering on BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ projects, in a range of sectors. From high-end office and retail developments to state-of-the-art educational and medical facilities, it counts the likes of the Co-operative’s headquarters in Manchester and the luxurious One Tower Bridge amongst its portfolio.
Commenting on the rebrand, Luxonic’s Managing Director Nick Tavare said: “As Luxonic has grown and evolved, we’ve become highly design-led, and are now being sought out for a lot of truly contemporary projects. Heading into our 30th anniversary year, we felt it was the perfect time to upgrade our image and bring it in line with what we’ve become.”
To create the new brand, Luxonic enlisted the help of one of the country’s leading creative design and communications agencies, MC2. Helen Peacock, MC2’s Head of Design, explained: “We wanted to bring a new, design-led feel to the Luxonic image to reflect the technical and aesthetic quality of everything Luxonic does. The result is the new ‘Luxonic L’, which plays with the idea of light reflection and promotes both its clean and linear nature to create an image that we feel embodies Luxonic and fits a leading face in lighting design and manufacture.”
Tavare added: “It’s an exciting time for us – we have a strong client and product portfolio and our LuxLab is constantly exploring new ways to implement new technology. That ongoing success is thanks to the dedicated team we’ve developed and we’re extremely pleased to be able to promote a new image for Luxonic that reflects who we are as a business.”
Kreon acquires Belux
(Belgium) - Effective 1 January 2016, Kreon became the new owner of Belux, renowned Swiss-based designer and manufacturer of sophisticated lighting solutions.
Founded in Switzerland in 1970 , Belux has worked together with such prominent international designers as Frank Gehry, Naoto Fukasawa, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec, Herzog & de Meuron and Hella Jongerius to develop and produce a range of remarkable, poetic designs including Cloud, Lantern, Jingzi and Blossom.
Kreon is a family-owned business based in Belgium. Belux represents an ideal addition to the Belgian lighting expert and will enrich the company in many areas. Kreon plans to maintain the brand name, product strategy and orientation of Belux and will operate in the market with the dual brands Kreon and Belux.
Nulty expands
(UK) – Nulty opens new Dubai office, headed up by Director Mark Vowles.
The decision to expand into the Middle East comes after a commercially successful year for the lighting design studio. In 2015, the practice re-branded to provided recognition to the expertise and strength of the design team and support the next generation of lighting designers.
Founder Paul Nulty said: “This is an exciting opportunity for us to launch into the Middle Eastern market. We are a young, dynamic practice and I believe our offer and skill set aligns with the development of these countries. We’re really excited by Mark joining the team as he has the experience, talent and commitment to head up the new office and I believe that if we can apply the same design and service philosophies we have developed in London, we will see every success within this dynamic market.”
The Nulty team are currently working on various retail, residential and hospitality projects within the GCC market including three department stores, a shopping mall, a restaurant and several high-end private residences. They expect to see the portfolio of work continue to grow with the launch of the new office and the expansion of the Dubai based design team.
Director Mark Vowles said: “The Middle East is currently in a very buoyant growth period in terms of development and construction. With the Expo 2020 in Dubai and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the design community is a hive of activity in preparation for these giant events. Not only are there opportunities in a the primary design of the buildings such as stadia and pavilions, but they have also generated a new demand for infrastructure, hotels, restaurants and retail opportunities.
“I am in no doubt that this is the perfect time to expand the business into this region and have every faith the studio will be a huge success.”
Faye Robinson joins Enigma Lighting
(UK) - After eleven years at Troup Bywaters and Anders as Principal Lighting Designer and Associate, Faye Robinson has joined UK-based lighting suppliers Enigma Lighting as Head of Design.
Robinson will be based at Enigma's new Design Studio and Showroom in Manchester city centre which is due to open later this year.
Enigma's Sales Director, Paul Shoosmith commented: “Faye is a fantastic addition to our growing team. Her knowledge and attention to detail is excellent. With the nature and scale of our current and future projects, the time was right to get someone of Faye's calibre on board to help take us to the next level.”
Enigma specialise in the supply of light fittings for roll-out projects Europe wide and subsequently hold a high level of stock to provide for fast track programs. Their current clients include many multiple high street retail and leisure operators throughout the UK and Europe. They are also exclusive UK distributors for Brick in the Wall and DARK and have access to over 100 other lighting manufacturers globally.
Robinson originally trained as a scenographer, specialising in lighting and set design before moving on to the built environment. After working at iGuzzini as an in-house lighting designer, she moved to Troup Bywaters + Anders and undertook the role of principal lighting designer, covering all specialist lighting design work for the company around the UK. Robinson’s specialties cover all aspects of lighting design, including sustainable solutions, best practice and knowledge of the latest lighting technologies. She has experience in lighting design consultancy for interior and exterior spaces, as well as retail, commercial, healthcare, leisure, hospitality and public realm designs.
Commenting on the move, Robinson said: “Joining the Enigma team is such a great opportunity. It’s time that Manchester and the north of the country had a true powerhouse for lighting design and supply. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”
Light Middle East Awards Glitter
A glittering gala awards dinner provided a fitting finale to three days of busy networking at Light Middle East 2015, which concluded in Dubai on October 8, 2015.
Box Park and Souk Al Manzil in Dubai, along with Qatar’s Banana Island Resort by Anantara, were among the big winners at the third Light Middle East Awards, attended by 500 industry professionals to recognise and reward the region’s most outstanding lighting projects and products.
Designed by Delta Lighting, Box Park won the Exterior Retail Lighting Project of the Year and Public Lighting Project of the Year categories, as an independent judging panel evaluated the merits of 32 shortlisted finalists competing across 10 categories.
The Banana Island Resort by Anantara, designed by Studio Lumen Lighting Design, won the Exterior Hospitality Lighting Project of the Year Award, while Souk Al Manzil and Thani Murshid Establishment, both from the UAE, were joint winners of the Sustainable Lighting Project of the Year award.
“Every year, the Light Middle East Awards attracts an increasingly diverse range of projects and products with energy efficiency and the use of new LED technologies a constant theme,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, organiser of Light Middle East and the Light Middle East Awards.
“It’s very important to highlight the thought process behind these amazing projects, and share with the public the reason why lighting, whether in public spaces, exteriors or interiors, is so stunning."
Winners of 2015
• HOSPITALITY LIGHTING PROJECT OF THE YEAR - EXTERIOR
WINNER: Banana Island Resort by Anantara, Qatar
LIGHTING DESIGN: Studio Lumen Lighting Design
• RETAIL LIGHTING PROJECT OF THE YEAR - EXTERIOR
WINNER: Box Park, UAE
LIGHTING DESIGN: Delta Lighting
• INDOOR LIGHTING PRODUCT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Parscan - ERCO
• OUTDOOR LIGHTING PRODUCT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Lumenbeam Xlarge HO - Lumenpulse
• INNOVATIVE LIGHTING PRODUCT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Lightscan Facade - ERCO
• RETAIL LIGHTING PROJECT OF THE YEAR - INTERIOR
WINNER: Ace Hardware at Dalma Mall, UAE
LIGHTING DESIGN: Al-Futtaim Group
• PUBLIC LIGHTING PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Box Park, UAE
LIGHTING DESIGN: Delta Lighting
• HOSPITALITY LIGHTING PROJECT OF THE YEAR - INTERIOR
WINNER: Perry & Blackwelder’s Original Smokehouse, UAE
LIGHTING DESIGN: CD+M Lighting Design
• SUSTAINABLE LIGHTING PROJECT OF THE YEAR
JOINT WINNERS: Thani Murshid Establishment, UAE & The Souk Al Manzil, UAE
LIGHTING DESIGN: Broadway Interiors & CD+M Lighting Design
• INNOVATIVE LIGHTING PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: The Prime Tower, UAE
LIGHTING DESIGN: Nouran Concept Lighting
