[d]arc room livestream launched

(UK) - Global virtual conference and exhibition for lighting design will take place on 16-18 September. First raft of speakers announced.

Following the cancellation of [d]arc room in London this year, organisers [d]arc media has launched [d]arc room livestream, an online global lighting design multi-track conference and exhibition for specifiers, designers and suppliers in the lighting industry.

The online event will take place on the 16th, 17th and 18th September 2020 when the on-site event in London was due to take place.

Following a Call For Papers, confirmed international speakers so far include Gabriele Chiave / Marcel Wanders (Netherlands), Pallavi Dean / Roar (UAE), Greg Keffer / Rockwell Group (USA), Paul Bishop / Bishop Design (UAE), Rikus De Kock / HBA (USA), Emilio Hernandez / Nulty (UK), Kai Piippo / Light Bureau (Sweden), Kaoru Mende / LPA (Japan), Kit Cuttle (New Zealand), Durham Marenghi (UK), Keith Bradshaw / Speirs & Major (UK), Dan Lister / Arup (UK), Brett Anderson / Focus Lighting (USA), Emad Hasan / The Lighting Practice (USA), Emrah Ulas / Steensen Varming (Australia), Monica Lobo / LD Studio (Brazil), Sakina Dugawalla-Moeller / Light.Func (UAE), Regina Santos / Godwin Austen Johnson (UAE), Patricia Lopez / Emaar (UAE), Claudia Paz / Claudia Paz Studio (Peru), Paulina Villalobos / DIAV (Chile), Virginie Nicolas / Concepto (France), Kapil Surlaka / Light@Work (India), Barbara Horton / HLB Lighting (USA), Carla Wilkins / Lichtvision (Germany), Chiara Carucci / Tengbom (Sweden), Karolina Zielinksa-Dabkowska (Poland), Yah-Li Toh / Light Collab (Singapore), Ta-Wei Lin / CMA Lighting Design (Taiwan), Nathalie Rozot / Phoscope (USA), Sabine De Schutter / Studio De Schutter (Germany), Victor Palacio / Ideas en Luz (Mexico), Richard Taylor / Graphic Strategy (UK)… with more to be announced.

The conference is being curated by Light Collective with the Call For Papers still being open for potential speakers on www.darcroom.com. The deadline to apply is 17th July.

Exhibitors will be able to show products and videos on their virtual 'booths' and will also be able to engage with attendees via group chats and 1-to-1 video meetings.

Paul James, Managing Director of [d]arc media, commented, “Obviously we were disappointed to have to cancel this year's [d]arc room in London but it was entirely necessary and understandable. [d]arc room livestream now gives us an opportunity to hold a global educational event with networking opportunities for attendees and sponsors. We are very excited about this new way of connecting until things hopefully return to normal in time for [d]arc room 2021 in London.”

Lighting suppliers who are interested in being exhibiting sponsors can contact [d]arc media for more information.

www.darcroom.com


Study proves benefits of daylight LEDs

(Worldwide) - LED light sources with a spectrum close to natural sunlight produced better visual comfort, more alertness, and happier moods.

A recent scientific study focusing on the positive effects of the light spectrum on sleep quality, visual comfort, well-being and daytime alertness has been published.

Conducted by Prof. Christian Cajochen and his team at the University of Basel in Switzerland, the study is entitled Effect of Daylight LED on Visual Comfort, Melatonin, Mood, Waking Performance and Sleep, and was published in the Journal of Lighting and Research Technology on 24 March 2019.

There has been an increase in research activity on the relationship between light and human bio-function. It is well established that light is one of the strongest control factors for human circadian rhythms, such as the secretion of the sleep promoting hormone melatonin. Thus, optimal lighting condition during daytime are crucial to prevent circadian rhythm disturbances which can lead to sleep disorders and other life-style related diseases. Over the past ten years, there have been related scientific studies in the fields of sleep, chronobiology, physiology, as well as the impact of light quality in elderly care. 

According to Prof. Cajochen’s research, LED light sources with the same measured correlated color temperature (CCT) and intensity, but different spectral output, can have different effects on human behavior and physiology. LED light sources with a spectrum close to natural sunlight produced better visual comfort, more alertness, and happier moods in the morning and evening among the test participants, compared to those exposed to conventional spectrum LEDs. The research tested subjects’ visual comfort, circadian physiology, daytime alertness, mood, cognitive performance, and sleep after being exposed to both conventional LED light, and natural spectrum LED light for 49 hours in a laboratory setting.

The study tested an LED lighting solution mimicking a daylight spectrum on visual comfort, circadian physiology, daytime alertness, mood, cognitive performance and sleep. Fifteen young males twice spent 49 hours in the laboratory under a conventional-LED and under a daylight-LED condition in a balanced cross over design flanked by a baseline and a post-light exposure night. Despite different light spectra, the photopic lux and the correlated colour temperature of the lighting were the same for both LEDs. The colour rendering index and the melanopic strength were 25.3% and 21%, respectively, higher for the daylight LED than the conventional LED.

The volunteers had better visual comfort, felt more alert and happier in the morning and evening under daylight LED than conventional LED, while the diurnal melatonin profile, psychomotor vigilance and working memory performance were not significantly different.

Quoting from the paper: “We have evidence that a daylight (natural spectrum) LED solution has beneficial effects on visual comfort, daytime alertness, mood, and sleep intensity in healthy volunteers. Delta EEG activity (0.75–4.5Hz) was significantly higher after daylight-LED than conventional-LED exposure during the post-light exposure night.” [NOTE: Delta EEG (electroencephalogram) measurements record delta waves, the brain waves associated with Stage 3 non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, or “slow-wave sleep” (SWS), and aid in characterizing the depth of sleep.]

Seoul Semiconductor, who developed the SunLike Series natural spectrum LEDs in collaboration with Toshiba Materials’ TRI-R spectrum technology in 2017 as the first LED light source to closely match the spectrum of natural sunlight, has welcomed the study.

“This research conducted by the University of Basel suggests another important aspect to the evolving direction of artificial light over the past eighty years. In addition to the properties of energy efficiency and long life, we have added the factor of ‘human well-being’ to modern LED light sources,” said Nam Ki-bum, sales executive vice-president of Seoul Semiconductor. “As the world’s first mass-produced LED devices to achieve natural sunlight quality, SunLike Series LEDs are advancing lighting technology in this important area as we continue to respond to market needs from our customers’ lighting applications.”


[d]arc awards 2019 open for entries

(UK) - [d]arc awards 2019 now open for entries with two new categories for decorative lighting.

This year's [d]arc awards has officially opened with entries being accepted on its website, www.darcawards.com.

Now in its fifth year, the online, peer-to-peer awards platform has proved a hit with lighting designers and manufacturers alike with all projects and products being displayed on the darc awards website.

Once the entries have been shortlisted by a panel of international lighting designers, it’s over to the lighting design community to vote!

Categories are:
Projects
STRUCTURES (High + Low Budget) – Best Exterior Lighting Scheme
PLACES (High + Low Budget) – Best Interior Lighting Scheme
SPACES (High + Low Budget) – Best Landscape Lighting Scheme
ART (High + Low Budget) – Best Light Art Installation / Best Bespoke Installation
EVENT – Best Creative Lighting Event

Products
KIT – Best Lighting Products
• Interior Luminaires
• Exterior Luminaires
• Decorative Luminaires
• Technology

Two new categories - Best Bespoke Installation and Best Decorative Luminaire - have been integrated into the awards to emphasise the decorative lighting element of darc magazine, arc's sister publication.

The deadline for entries is 27th September. Projects and products must have been launched later than 31st May 2018.

Every independent architectural lighting designer and light artist is eligible to vote online for their favourite lighting schemes and products. What’s more, any lighting designer who does vote is eligible for a free ticket to [d]arc night, the [d]arc awards ceremony, which this year will take place on 5th December 2019 at MC Motors in London with a Christmas party theme.

Paul James, director of the awards, commented: “It’s great to get back into the [d]arc awards process. The decision to move darc night to December this year will mean an even better party, something that the awards has become renowned for.”

See the video of last year’s [d]arc night here.

[d]arc night will feature up to sixteen light installations created by lighting designers using lighting fixtures from the awards sponsors.

Sponsors so far include Delta Light, Linea Light Group, Ligman, Lite / Lumenpulse, L&L Luce&Light, Osram, Soraa and Targetti. Lighting Design practices involved include 18 Degrees, Arup, Cundall Light4, dpa, Firefly Point of View, Hoare Lea, Ideaworks, Inverse Lighting Design, JPLD, Light Bureau, Michael Grubb Studio, MBLD, MS Lighting Design, Nulty, SEAM and Workplane Lighting.

Suppliers interested in sponsoring the awards and working with a lighting design team should contact the arc office.

www.darcawards.com


[d]arc room 2019 officially launched

(UK) - [d]arc room 2019 launches with new venue, double capacity and half of stands already booked.

Taking place on 19-22 September, [d]arc room will have its very own hall at the Old Truman Brewery, home to London Design Fair, where the show will continue with its unique exhibiting concept as well as having educational workshops and live streaming.

Brought to the Fair by [d]arc media, the team behind arc and darc magazines and the [d]arc awards, in collaboration with creative consultants Light Collective, the exhibition will showcase the most up-to-date solutions in lighting, a must for anyone involved in lighting specification.

London Design Fair regularly attracts close to 30,000 visitors across four days of exciting and creative content. Over half the visitors are designers or architects with retailers also making up a big part of the audience. [d]arc room will bring a welcome contingent of lighting designers to the show as well as educating non-lighting professionals about the benefits of lighting design.

Paul James, director of [d]arc room, commented: “I am delighted that [d]arc room has officially launched and that we have had such a good take up of stands already.

“Our new home at London Design Fair in the Old Truman Brewery means we will have an even bigger audience. Whilst maintaining its own identity, [d]arc room will benefit from London Design Fair’s impressive and diverse visitor numbers whilst also bringing a new, exciting lighting element to the design show.

“Our goal is to broaden the conversation to other designers who do not work with lighting every day but nevertheless are involved in the lighting specification process. Being involved in London Design Fair will allow our architectural and decorative lighting exhibitors to meet a wide range of designers and specifiers, not just those ensconced in lighting.”

Jimmy MacDonald, Founder and Director of London Design Fair, stated: “As the Fair develops, servicing the needs of our growing trade audience becomes increasingly important, so we are delighted to be hosting [d]arc room, a brilliant and concise lighting fair with over 75 international exhibitors.”

Exhibitors that have committed to [d]arc room 2019 include Acclaim, alphaLED, B Light, Casambi, EcoLED, ELR, Eulum, Feelux, formalighting, GDS, Hera, LED Ltd, LightGraphix, LITE, Lightly Technologies, Kreon, LensVector, LightGraphix, Linea Light Group, Lumenpulse, Luminus, Madrix, Nicolaudie, Orluna, Performance in Lighting, Pharos, ProLED, Radiant Architectural Lighting, Ricoman, Sagitario, Seoul, SGM, Soraa, Speclight, Targetti, Tryka, Vexica, Whitegoods and Xicato.

Details of [d]arc room live and [d]arc room workshop programmes will follow shortly.

www.darcroom.com


[d]arc room to partner London Design Fair in 2019

(UK) - [d]arc room to have its own hall in Old Truman Brewery as part of London Design Fair exhibition.

Taking place on 19-22 September, [d]arc room will have its very own hall at the Old Truman Brewery, home to London Design Fair, where the show will continue with its unique exhibiting concept as well as having educational workshops and live streaming.

Brought to the Fair by [d]arc media, the team behind arc and darc magazines and the [d]arc awards, in collaboration with creative consultants Light Collective, the exhibition will showcase the most up-to-date solutions in lighting, a must for anyone involved in lighting specification.

London Design Fair regularly attracts close to 30,000 visitors across four days of exciting and creative content. Over half the visitors are designers or architects with retailers also making up a big part of the audience. [d]arc room will bring a welcome contingent of lighting designers to the show as well as educating non-lighting professionals about the benefits of lighting design.

Paul James, director of [d]arc room, commented: “I am delighted that [d]arc room has found a new home at London Design Fair in the Old Truman Brewery for 2019. Whilst maintaining its own identity, [d]arc room will benefit from London Design Fair’s impressive and diverse visitor numbers whilst also bringing a new, exciting lighting element to the design show.

“Our goal is to broaden the conversation to other designers who do not work with lighting every day but nevertheless are involved in the lighting specification process. Being involved in London Design Fair will allow our architectural and decorative lighting exhibitors to meet a wide range of designers and specifiers, not just those ensconced in lighting.”

Jimmy MacDonald, Founder and Director of London Design Fair, stated: “As the Fair develops, servicing the needs of our growing trade audience becomes increasingly important, so we are delighted to be hosting [d]arc room, a brilliant and concise lighting fair with over 75 international exhibitors.”

Exhibitors that have committed to [d]arc room 2019 include Eklipse, Feelux, formalighting, LED Ltd, LightGraphix, LITE, Lightly Technologies, Linea Light, Nicolaudie, Pharos, ProLED, Seoul, Soraa, Targetti and Tryka.

More details to follow.

www.darcroom.com
www.londondesignfair.co.uk


SLL Young Lighter 2019 open for entry

(UK) - Closing date for SLL Young Lighter 2019 competition is 10 May 2019.

This year, the Society of Light and Lighting is celebrating 25 years of its annual Young Lighter competition. Over the years, there have been some incredible projects and notable winners, making this competition an invaluable platform to explore and discuss ideas relating to light, particularly for those at the early stages of their career.

To mark the 25thyear of the competition, the Society has reviewed the entry criteria,emphasising that the competition is open to anyone with an interest in light and lighting. Entries can be based on any light-related topic and the Society wants to hear from entrants everywhere.

President of the SLL and Senior Associate at dpa lighting consultants, Iain Carlile said: “It is always great to see the next generation of lighting professionals demonstrate their talent and passion for lighting, be that through the presentation of novel project application, social study, technological development, lighting research or any other lighting related topic. I very much look forward to seeing who will be awarded SLL Young Lighter 2019.”

SLL Immediate Past President and Marketing and Applications Director for Thorlux Lighting, Richard Caple commented: “This year, in its 25thyear, the SLL wish to widen the boundaries of the competition giving more young people the opportunity to enter and demonstrate their knowledge, creativity and capabilities.”

In order to open the competition up, the initial entry stage asks for six introductory slides.

From here, entrants will be shortlisted and asked to elaborate on their entry in whichever way they feel fits best – this could be a prototype, a video, a written paper, a presentation, etc. Shortlisted entrants will also be asked to submit a short piece to camera, demonstrating their presentation skills.

Following stage two, finalists will be selected and asked to develop their ideas into a presentation that will be delivered at LuxLive in November 2019. The finalists will be invited to join the Society at the Lux Awards, where the winner will be announced.

The winner will receive a cash prize of £1000 along with the title, SLL Young Lighter 2019 in front of an audience of over 800 industry professionals.

Entries can come from anywhere in the world, with flights and accommodation covered by the Society of Light and Lighting for attendance at the finals and awards in November.

The SLL Young Lighter 2019 competition is open to all under the age of 30 by 10 May 2019, which is also the closing date for entries.

This competition is designed to showcase innovative and exciting areas relating to light and/or lighting. It offers support to those who might be entering into a career in lighting, or who may be interested in developing an idea relating to light.

www.sll.org.uk


Point Of View and Firefly merge

(Global) - Australian lighting design consultancy, Point Of View merges with UK and Hong Kong-based Firefly Lighting Design to create a new brand, Firefly Point Of View (FPOV).

Following strong growth over the last few years and Point Of View's acquisition of lighting design studio TDLD in the Gold Coast of Australia, the merger creates a truly global, independent lighting and audio-visual design studio with over 40 designers across eight studios in London, Bath, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Gold Coast, Dubai and Hong Kong.

FPOV launches with a shared, integrated design philosophy, where lighting and AV enhance the architectural environment rather than imposing upon it. The deal stems from past work collaborations and a desire to create beautiful environments globally, underpinned by the service and design innovation evident in benchmark projects such as Qantas First Class Lounge-Sydney, Microsoft Store-Sydney, W Hotel-Brisbane, Westpac Head Office-Sydney, Etihad Towers-Abu Dhabi, Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge-Hong Kong, Great Northern Hotel-London and Hakkasan Restaurants worldwide. The merger responses to the growth in demand of the global studio approach.

The newly merged business will service the increasingly international nature of clients from a range of sectors including hospitality, residential, retail, civic, commercial, workplace and bespoke luminaire design.

FPOV’s leadership team consists of Mark Elliott as Global Creative Director, Bernie Tan Hayes as CEO, Managing Director John Lau and Design Director Peter Veale, accumulating over 80 years of combined experience.

Commenting on the deal, Mark Elliott, Global Creative Director, said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for both businesses as we merge to create one of the world’s leading lighting an AV consultancy. FPOV is built on a shared passion to deliver class-leading projects with an increasing emphasis where lighting and AV are designed in unison and intertwined. To be working globally with like-minded friends is the ideal way to expand our design studio.”

2019 will see FPOV deliver world-class projects, working with global leaders in design and architecture; such as Crown Resort Barangaroo-Sydney, Resorts World-Manila, Hakkasan Dubai and projects with Rosewood Hotels and Sungroup Vietnam.

www.f-pov.com


Light School returns with Surface Design Show

(UK) - Surface Design Show 2019 to take place at London’s Business Design Centre on 5-7 February to provide platform for architects, designers and specifiers to explore best in interior and exterior surface materials, lighting design, development and innovation.

Now in its fifth year, Light School is the show’s home of architectural lighting and allows architects and designers to touch, compare and learn about innovative lighting and technology products.

The Light School arena for discussion and learning Light Talks, will return once again supported by the Institution of Lighting Professionals. Industry experts from Hoare Lea, Nulty+, Atelier Ten and 18 Degrees have confirmed to share their knowledge at Light Talks.

Opening the programme of informative talks around lighting is Stuart Alexander of Michael Grubb Studio, who’s talk Wandering Lights (Tuesday at 18.45-19.30) explores what it takes to make a positive impact on our public realm at night with lighting.

In Lighting for the Workplace in 2050 (Wednesday 15.00-15.45) Speirs + Major’s Benz Roos will ask his audience to imagine the workplace of 2050, when people might be working in virtual reality environments and so need different illumination. Various predictions indicate that artificial intelligence will replace most repetitive work. Artificial Intelligence will allow people to do different jobs and be more social. The talk will end on how the exciting opportunities, translate into real needs for today’s workplace lighting.

Later Crossrail’s Paul Kerrigan will highlight the challenges of lighting Europe’s largest sub surface project, whilst maintaining quality, parity and safety in his talk Alight Here for Crossrail (Wednesday 17.00-17.45).

On Thursday Martina Alagna and Phil Copland, both designers at Nulty+, bring discussions back to the workplace in A Moonlit Walk in the Workplace (Thursday 14.00-14.45). By moving away from a traditional lighting approach, a more unique and human-centred workplace can be created – all it takes is a shift in perspective. Martina and Philip from Nulty+ will discuss the benefits and opportunities of rethinking the design of ever-changing working environments.

Closing the Light Talks is Jonathan Gittins who will give a fascinating insight into the Illuminated Riverproject , the longest public art commission in the world, illuminating up to 15 bridges along the Thames from Albert Bridge to Tower Bridge (Thursday 15.00-15,45). Jonathan will talk about the project and provide insight into the design process and technical challenges that have been overcome in bringing the Illuminated River to life.

Confirmed returning exhibitors include Applelec, LED Linear, Optelma, Pixalux and Stretch Ceilings, as well as new exhibitors Artistic Licence, Faux Translucent Stone | ADL | Plastock, Lightly Technology, Lumino and Robert Spurway.

Registration for Surface Design Show 2019 is Free and open now at www.surfacedesignshow.com


Asfuroglu launches Dark Source design studio

(UK) - Following his departure from Speirs+Major, internationally acclaimed lighting designer Kerem Asfuroglu sets up Dark Source, an independent lighting design & visual arts studio based in London.

Driven by a social & environmental conscience, Dark Source aims to add value to public domain, architecture and design projects of various scales. Originally started in 2013 as a unique arts project in arc magazine, the design studio has been founded to offer its distinct approach in lighting design, to enhance the visual and spatial experience through the medium of light and darkness.

Asfuroglu commented: "It is exciting to be entering the design scene, especially at such curious times when bold moves are necessary to remain relevant. Passionately driven by its core values and creative vision, Dark Source is compelled to respond to this paradigm shift. We are not here to repeat what's been done. We are here to shape a culture through the medium of light and dark."

Following his graduation from Wismar University – Architectural Lighting Design MA in 2010, Asfuroglu worked at Speirs + Major, London Studio since 2011. Throughout his career, he worked on projects of varying scales from Covent Garden’s site-wide lighting improvement project to Shakespeare’s New Place in Stratford upon Avon. He won several awards including Red Dot Design Concept 2011, PLDA Vox Juventa 2012 and PLDC 2015 Best Newcomer.

He was awarded the title of Dark Sky Defender by IDA in 2017 for his works advocating the importance of darkness.

www.dark-source.com


LED Linear UK to focus on specification market with new appointments

(UK) - Dylan Parry and Eliot Horsman join the company to drive specification sales.

Dylan Parry and Eliot Horsman have joined LED Linear UK with a direct focus on specification sales. They will be working closely with the lighting design community throughout the UK, Ireland and beyond. Both have successfully worked together at acdc and Orluna.

Parry, as well as being a fully qualified electrician, has over 20 years’ experience in the industry covering aspects from Quality Control, Internal Sales, Technical Sales to Specification sales. Having worked on projects globally, Parry is looking forward to the challenge ahead with LED Linear UK.

Parry commented: “LED Linear is a fantastically well-respected company and recognized brand with market-leading products and technology. Having visited LED Linear’s Duisburg facility and witnessed first-hand the advances in the production process and product development, they really are at the cutting edge of technology. The UK team are a strong group working hard to deliver customer service, we are all excited to be part of LED Linear’s future focus on specification sales.”

Horsman has worked in the specification lighting industry for fifteen years with vast experience in sales, product design and commercial management of architectural, retail and commercial lighting projects on a worldwide basis. Horsman is also a Member of the Society of Light and Lighting and is always striving to promote the industry he loves.

“As a recent member of the Fagerhult Group, LED Linear UK is in a very exciting phase of growth and development of market leading new technology and products,” stated Horsman. “Being part of this global brand is a fantastic opportunity to support lighting designers on exciting projects and I cannot wait to get cracking.”

Stuart Knox, managing director of LED Linear UK, stated: “We are excited to welcome such experience, talent and character into our team and we look forward to delivering to the lighting design community, high-quality products and services whilst opening up a feedback loop that will help us improve in these important areas as we move forward as a business.”

www.led-linear.com


KSLD wins Codega Award

(Italy) - Kevan Shaw collects coveted prize for the Scottish Parliament Debating Chamber at the ceremony in Venice with iGuzzini Palco LV winning best product.

The sixth edition of the Codega Award, the international recognition for LED solutions and lighting design excellence, took place in the wonderful setting of Ca’ Zen in Venice on Friday 19th of October.

The Award is promoted by international associations such as Assodel (Italian Association of Electronics Clusters) in partnership with PHOT - IDEA (International Distribution of Electronics Association) and represents a very important networking occasion for the lighting world.

56 lighting design projects from all over the world and 30 products destined to be the main protagonists of innovation and design in the coming years have put in serious difficulty the international jury who wanted to assign five special mentions, so high was the level of international projects presented.

More than 60 lighting designers and experts from the world of architecture and design took part and gave life and depth to the awards ceremony held in the spectacular Ca’Zen Venetian palace.

The Venetian glass-making master Massimiliano Schiavon created two unique glass masks as the awards for the lighting design and product prizes.

The first prize of the Lighting Design category went to the Scottish Parliament Debating Chamber in Edinburgh realised by Scottish lighting design practice, KSLD.

The judging panel, which included arc editor Paul James, stated that it is “... an innovative project both in the design approach and in the technology of extracting light from the sources. The classic meets contemporary. Tradition uses technology. Artificial light becomes natural light and vice versa. The visual impact is extremely soft. The balance in this project is perfect.”

The Debating Chamber is the heart of, and the reason for, the Scottish Parliament building. During parliamentary business, it effectively functions as a TV studio. At other times it is presented to visitors as a fine architectural space. The new lighting uses specially designed LED light guide fittings to provide a general field of soft light when the parliament is not sitting, casting more light into the ceiling, articulating the amazing structure of the chamber.

Second place went to the ShenZhen LongGang ChuangTou Tower by Grand Design International: “The technology is known but the system is able to completely envelop the building transforming it in an artistic façade. A bright building where even the chosen images are the indispensable texture of the architecture. A new chapter on dynamic architectural perception.”

Tunateca Belfagò, realised by artec3, was given the third prize. “Light is the means to perceptually transform the interior and is able to construct a dreamlike space. The perception of space and the thematic allusions are held together.”

A special mention was given to the Belgian studio ACTLD for three projects that were considered of very high value: La fleche dans les nuages - Strasbourg; Erasmus bridge, Rotterdam; and Brussels Airport.

The Committee also gave three special mentions for lighting design projects:
Special mention for Creativity: Cafeteria Dusseldorf realized by LKL – Licht Kunst Licht. Special mention for Innovation: Light Cloud by Tamschick Media & Space.
Special mention for Installation: Jelzin Presidential Center by Lichtwerke.

iGuzzini's Palco LV won the best product award with the judges giving the award “... to an innovative lighting product that, thanks to LED sources, maintains flexible performances, reaches a goal of miniaturisation and dematerialisation of the lighting fixture, which is well combined in museum and retail applications.”

The judges also awarded a special mention to Grupo MCI for Smart Dot designed by Light Collective Design.

The winning projects will also be presented at Illuminotronica from November 29th to December 1st in Bologna at the end of a conference dedicated to Smart lighting and new technological trends for architectural applications.


darc room hailed a success as visitor figures double

(UK) - darc room, London Design Festival's lighting destination, a huge success as visitor figures double.

Following the critical success of the inaugural event last year, darc room 2018 exceeded expectations with over 2,000 visitors, up from just over 1,000 in 2017.

Paul James, director of darc room, commented: “I am absolutely delighted with the way darc room was received this year. Last year’s event was a critical success and this year it was a smash hit! Our substantial increase in both exhibitors and visitors prove to us that there is a need for a dedicated lighting design event at London Design Festival.”

darc room took place at the Nicholls & Clarke Building on Shoreditch High Street on 19 & 20 September as part of London Design Festival and is the festival's only dedicated lighting event.

The boutique lighting specification exhibition had 50 exhibitors, eight workshops and the lighting industry’s first-ever live stream of lighting talks.

James continued: “The mix of creative, small stands where no one company dominates the event, together with strong education content in a great location really appeals to the designers and architects that attended this year's show. We will aim to develop the concept further as we move forward with the darc room event.”

darc room : workshops and darc room : live, curated by the event's creative consultants Light Collective, were very popular across both days with packed audiences enjoying the unique format of the educational content.

darc room : workshop participants included Tapio Rosenius, Skandal Technologies; Jeremy Fielding, Atrium; David Kriebel, LensVector; Francesco Anselmo, Arup; and Rebecca Hutchinson, John Cullen Lighting, as part of the ILP's How To Be Brilliant series.

A Human-Centric Lighting panel consisted of Dr. Karolina M. Zielinska-Dabkowska RIBA, IALD, IES, MSLL who led a discussion with fellow professionals Mark Ridler (Director of Lighting at BDP); Rebecca Weir (Creative Director at Light IQ); Stephen Lisk (Lighting Designer and current President of CIBSE) and Iain Carlile (Lighting Designer and current President of the SLL).

darc room : live participants included Keith Bradshaw, Speirs + Major; artist Liz West; Paul Traynor, Light Bureau; Marci Song, SEAM; Neil Knowles, Elektra; Mark Tweedale, Light4 Cundall; Chiara Carucci, Tengbom; Olga Tuzova, Politecnico di Milano; Cinzia Moretti, Moretti Interior Design; George Singer; Ben Rigby, Haberdashery; and Monique Tollgard, Staffan Tollgard Design Group.

Manufacturer participants included acdc, AC Special Projects, Aion LED, Airstream, Alto, Applelec, Art et Floritude, AxaLight, Chroma Q, Casambi, Citizen, Coelux, Delta Light, Eaton, EcoSense, ELR, Elumeros, Erco, ES-System, Exenia, Feelux, Forge, formalighting, Hadler, Insta UK, ledbcn, LED Linear, LED Ltd, LensVector, Ligeo, Lightly Tech, Ligman, Linea Light Group, LightGraphix, Lite, Lumid, Madrix, Nicolaudie, ProLED, Pulsar, Quasar Science, Radiant,  SAAS, SGM, Studio Moritz Waldemeyer, Targetti, tossB, Traxon, Tryka, Whitegoods and Zico Lighting.

The show is supported by CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Service Engineers), BIID (British Institute of Interior Design), IALD (International Association of Lighting Designers), ILP (Institute of Lighting Professionals), SLL (Society of Light & Lighting) and SBID (Society of British and International Interior Design).

www.darcroom.com