Lighting designer and manufacturer Ansell Lighting has joined forces with Bradford College to support the building of a house for electrical installation students to practice on.

The house, or Active Learning Area, has been built in the atrium of the leading West Yorkshire college and worked on by City & Guilds Level 1 and 2 students from a range of building services and construction courses, including electrical installation, plumbing, bricklaying and joinery.

Ansell has sponsored the project, which has been named the Ansell Lighting Academy, and provided Prism Pro CCT Fire Rated Downlights for use in the kitchen and bathroom areas, as well as floodlighting, a mini floodbox and exterior wall lights.

Electrical students will be wiring the lighting and power while the plumbing students will be piping the services and radiators. The house has also been ‘futureproofed’ so it can be re-used each year for new students to get active practice.

Ansell’s products are also being used in a series of bays for student assessments and the college hopes to build a two-storey house in another part of the atrium to create one of the largest Active Learning Areas in the country.

Adam Brough, Team Leader in Electrical Installation, Plumbing and Gasat Bradford College, said: “Having a real building to practice on is invaluable for our students – instead of their practical work being restricted to boards.

“A member of the Ansell tech team came into college earlier in the year as part of a Sparks Magazine Meet-the-Lecturer day and was delighted to get on board with this project. Having the support of Ansell, and AICO who have also provided some smoke detection products, has allowed us to take this project to the next level, with students getting a feel for the sort of work they will be doing when they leave college.”

Jonathan Hagos, Director of architectural practice Freehaus and Nasim Koerting, Head of Design at The Office Group have been appointed as Co-Chairs for the 2023 Surface Design Awards.

Hagos and Koerting are joined by a multi-disciplinary team of fellow judges selected from the architecture, design and property communities.

The Co-Chairs invite their own team of design industry colleagues to join them on thejudging panel.

Jonathan Hagos, who was part of the 2022 Surface Design Awards judging team, has selected a strong team of judges. They are: Nimi Attanayake, Director and Co-Founder of nimtim architects; Fiona MacDonald, Head of Learning at the Design Museum and Co-Founder of Matt + Fiona; Thomas Randall-Page of Thomas Randall-Page Studio and Rion Willard, Lead Architect and Founding Director of The Thinking Hand Studio.

“This is my second year as a judge on the Surface Design Awards and I am hoping that they will again attract a strong number of entries from different countries around the world,” said Jonathan Hagos. “We will be looking for innovation in the use of surface materials and design and I know that my judging team are looking forward to comparing the many the different projects that will be put before them.”

Nasim Koerting has recruited a similarly strong team to work with her: Kristofer Adelaide, Director of Kristofer Adelaide Architecture; Christopher Laing, Architectural Assistant at Haworth Tompkins and Founder of Signstrokes; Charlotte McCarthy, Head of Interiors at Heatherwick Studio and Materials and Circular Economy Specialist, Stacey McGonigal make up her representatives.

“I am delighted to have been able to bring together such a strong team of judges from a variety of experiences and backgrounds,” said Nasim Koerting. ” We will be looking at all the different aspects of the surface design, but we will put particular emphasis on sustainability. We are hoping for exciting and inspiring projects to judge! “

Emphasis will be placed on the different surface materials used in the entries and on their sustainability credentials with each entry being accompanied by a statement and calculation for the carbon footprint kgCO2/m2 of the cladding/material surface.

London’s Business Design Centre who will be Sponsoring the 2023 Supreme Award, the project selected by the judges as being ‘the winner amongst winners,’ will host the Awards Presentation on Thursday 9 February 2023 as part of the annual Surface Design Show.

Market leading manufacturer and specialist contractor of decorative surface finishes, Armourcoat, will be Sponsoring the Commercial Building categories.

The 2023 Surface Design Awards will open for entries from June 2022 with a closing date of Friday 23 September 2022.

The Supreme Winner of the 2022 Surface Design Awards was presented to The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Headquarters in London by Benedetti Architects.

There was one double category winner in 2022: AL_A’s Maggie’s Southampton for the Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Caring Centres Trust was winner in both the Public Building Exterior category and the Light + Surface Exterior category

The 2022 Surface Design Awards attracted 189 entries from 24 countries.

Entries will be accepted through https://www.surfacedesignshow.com/surface-design-awards from Tuesday 5 July 2022.

Photos courtesy of TRILUX.

DB Schenker Italia, a leading global logistics provider, has developed a new multifunctional building for its Verona facility. Located in the Interporto area, the new logistics hub covers approximately 40,000 m², connecting more than 20 destinations, including Germany, Austria, and France.

Constructed in just ten months by Engineering 2K Spa, the site consists of a 2,100 m² office and a wooden warehouse with 61 equipped loading bays covering an area of approximately 7,500 m². The site includes over 100 parking spaces for cars, trucks, and cabs.

Its configuration allows free movement without obstacles, thus enabling and optimising cross-docking activities for import and export operations.

The new logistics hub has been designed with sustainability in mind. A rainwater recovery system is functional for the toilets and the irrigation of green areas, thus avoiding the waste of precious resources. The structure is also equipped with solar panels.

TRILUX designed the new facility’s LED lighting system to ensure maximum energy savings. The system, which is fully managed, activates lighting in areas used by employees only when necessary. The new building has all the features to achieve a “VERY GOOD” certification according to the BREEAM rating.

“The construction of the new hub in Verona has been a significant project. It is exciting to see it finally completed,” says Francesca Tommasini, Manager of the Verona branch. “The facility was designed with great precision and much attention to detail for both the warehouse and the offices. The idea was to provide a pleasant and environmentally friendly environment for our employees.”

Installed Solutions

As the sole supplier, TRILUX developed a lighting proposal that offered standard and custom solutions that complement each other perfectly.

The 24,000-lumen dimmable JOVIE LED illuminates the outdoor areas and parking lots. Thanks to Multi Lens (MLTIQ) and Constant Light Output (CLO) technologies, it was possible to adapt JOVIE LED to the project specifications, providing a luminaire in the Smart Lighting Ready variant with Zhaga interfaces, ready to be integrated into the lighting management system.

The main façade of the building has been illuminated with three 4200 lumens FACIELLA LED projectors, equipped with roto symmetrical optics specifically designed for the lighting of buildings. The perimeter area of the logistics building has been equipped with 12,000-lumen Combial LED projectors.

The external covered areas for the loading bays are illuminated with 2300 lumens OLEVEON FIT LEDs. Furthermore, the same solution was used in different power ratings to light some internal logistics areas.

For further information on the TRILUX Industrial lighting range please visit:www.trilux.com/gb/applications/industry/lighting-for-industry/

FUTURE Designs has created three bespoke lighting solutions: the IKON uplighter, IKON EMERGENCY luminaire and the PLINTH luminaire for Europe’s largest infrastructure project, Crossrail, which opened on 24th May.

The £14.8 billion Crossrail venture, officially known as the Elizabeth Line, is a new railway for London and the South East with 42km of new tunnels, connecting the East of the city to the West. The new service will speed up journey times, increase central London’s capacity by 10% and bring an extra 1.5 million people to within 45 minutes of central London.

David Clements, Chief Executive of FUTURE Designs said: “It has been an absolute honour for FUTURE Designs to be involved in illuminating areas of this outstanding and complex project, which is an undeniable feat of modern engineering. Such a multifaceted project comes with inevitable challenges to overcome, but there is no doubt that the exceptional result is worth the wait.”

FUTURE Designs has designed and manufactured these key elements harnessing the power of LED technology to deliver quality light within this subterranean infrastructure. The decision to use LEDs exclusively will reduce energy consumption and maintenance requirements, that will ultimately lead to a reduction in whole-life cost for the project.

That said, the choice of LEDs wasn’t without its challenges as very few existing suitable LED fittings met Crossrail’s specific requirements. FUTURE Designs came up with a ground-breaking solution, in keeping with Crossrail’s design brief, creating IKON, IKON EMERGENCY and PLINTH specifically for this project.

The lighting concepts from FUTURE Designs can be found in the station concourse areas, escalator tunnels and platforms and emphasise the spatial envelope rather than draw attention to the luminaires themselves.

As a result, the concept works in complete harmony with the interior, using the light-grey, matt-textured, glass-reinforced concrete lining of the station and escalator tunnels to reflect light onto the passenger areas creating a sense of spaciousness within the underground environment. The lighting also cleverly suppresses other more functional elements like cameras and speakers.

The lighting significantly contributes to the Elizabeth Line design concept of fast spaces and slow spaces. On the escalator the idea is to get people moving as quickly as possible whereas in the ticket halls and on the platforms lighting is warmer and more indirect to encourage passengers to make more considered wayfinding decisions.

The IKON uplighter luminaire has been created to sit on top of wayfinding totems. This phenomenally powerful luminaire is designed to shine light to the ceiling, which then reflects to the floor. The space between each uplighter is between 7-11 metres It was also critical that the design of IKON allowed it to act as a reliable and effective heatsink, drawing heat away from the mechanics and regulating the device’s temperature. IKON is installed in Elizabeth Line stations at Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Bond Street and Whitechapel.

IKON EMERGENCY luminaires are designed to automatically illuminate in the event of a power failure, helping to guide passengers to safety. The design features high and low-level lights mounted on the sides of wayfinding totems and vertical luminaires mounted on the front faces of the totems to spread light in all directions and throw the light across a large distance on the floors. IKON EMERGENCY is located in stations at Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Bond Street and Whitechapel.

The PLINTH luminaire is a recessed escalator light fitting, located within the deck area between individual escalators. The uplighters are specially designed to diminish visual glare to passengers travelling on the escalators, preventing direct view of the LED source and providing well balanced lighting. PLINTH is installed in stations at Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, Bond Street and Whitechapel.

Lighting control expert Pharos Architectural Controls is delighted to be exhibiting at LightFair International where it will be showcasing its Designer product range and some ground-breaking new features in Cloud, such as Portals and Multi-Sites. 

LightFair 2022 is the premier lighting trade show and conference for architectural and commercial lighting. This year it is held in the state-of-the-art West Hall at Las Vegas Convention Center, 19 – 23 June 2022. LightFair brings together top decision makers from across the global lighting design, integration, and technology spectrum. It is a chance for top industry brands to network with and present their products to lighting professionals.

Having worked on several recent US projects, including Caesars Forum, the world’s largest pillarless ballroom, and the internationally renowned Niagara Falls, Pharos has plenty of experience and knowledge to share with the industry. The Pharos team is looking forward to networking and re-engaging with industry friends and peers in the US as it shares recent company updates.

Located on stand 1235 – adjacent to the LightFair LIVE Booth – Pharos will display its market-leading lighting control solutions and invites visitors to participate in demos of new features within its Designer 2 software and Pharos Cloud remote management platform. 

Thomas Ladd, International Sales Director from Pharos said: “We are looking forward to exhibiting at LightFair and reconnecting with our existing clients, industry friends, and making new connections.  

“It has been far too long since the Lighting Industry has been able to hold tradeshows properly. As an industry that is constantly evolving, it is important these go ahead, and new connections can be made to forge the future of lighting technologies. Already we have seen massive advances with dynamic and colour changing light. 

“We look forward to discussing these exciting advances and exploring the possibilities of how we can further collaborate in what is a pivotal marketplace for us.”   

The LightFair Conference offers world-class lighting education where attendees can connect with the industry’s best and brightest minds. The 2022 conference offers 43 sessions by expert practitioners and presenters across five tracked themes which are Evidence-Based Design, Guidance + Tools, Experiencing Lighting, The Art of Lighting, Technologies.

For more information on LightFair International 2022 and to register, visit here 

With its planned length of 12 km, the Granitztal tunnel chain will form an important part of the route to the Koralm Tunnel Railway once it has been completed. Already in construction, Zumtobel are ensuring safety throughout the underground construction with modern localisation technologies.

The section of the Granitztal tunnel chain, currently under construction, is an important part of the planned 130 km long Koralmbahn high-speed railway line. In the future, the Koralmbahn will cross the Koralpe and thus connect Graz with Klagenfurt to improve speed and connection times. In order to ensure the best possible protection and safety of personnel and visitors during the construction project, the Austrian construction companies and ARGE Granitztal ET – 50HZ Hereschwerke Leyrer + Graf, on behalf of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), were looking for a temporary solution for real-time people and object detection for the project, in the Granitztal tunnel construction section which is estimated to take around 2.5 years. In addition to a total tunnel length of 12 km (two tubes with a length of 6 km each), the associated 12 connecting tunnels, as well as, the connected logistics and ventilation buildings, are included.

A contactless detection solution was required for up to 400 people and vehicles, using portable detection modules that were as easy to install, as to remove, as well as suitable software, including a management dashboard to register the people or vehicles on the construction site. For increased safety, the solution actively monitors the battery status of the registration modules. Leyrer + Graf were able to see the important benefits of Zumtobel’s Digital Services.

Intelligent technology ensures safety 

For the customised detection solution, Zumtobel have used the integration of hardware and software from its wide partner network to create a complete solution. Using Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE)-based AoA (Angle-of-Arrival) technology, the intelligent localisation system enables objects and people to be located and tracked in almost real time – with an accuracy of less than one metre. This sets a new standard in the safety concept of the tunnel construction site.

For this purpose, outdoor locators were installed in the tunnel’s existing network infrastructure by the client Leyrer + Graf between November 2020 and February 2021. This will allow movements to be recorded and tracked at every entrance, exit and branch in the tunnel.

More than 400 tags are carried by people and vehicles enabling data collection. This data is transmitted to a local server where it is processed. Afterwards, a corresponding software forwards it to a cloud environment. There, the collected data is analysed and visualised using cloud software for presentation in the management dashboard. The dashboard can be easily accessed via any web browser.

For maximum security, all cloud variations and the required internet connection are redundant. In addition, the network technology in each section has been equipped with an uninterruptible power supply. Throughout the project, Zumtobel are constantly monitoring all the local system components and have proactively advise if any part has failed. The monitoring is so precise that it detects, for example, if a locator has shifted due to vibrations on site. The same applies to the local servers, the operating system and the locally installed software. Zumtobel also monitors these continuously for its customers so that remedial action can be taken immediately in the event of a malfunction. In addition to commissioning and permanent monitoring, Zumtobel is also responsible for training the staff on site on how to use the new solution.

Simple and precise detection of people and objects

Using Zumtobel’s customised location intelligence solution, the position of up to 400 people and vehicles can be recorded simultaneously in real time on the underground construction site. This is done for all workers and visitors to the construction site. For this purpose, they are registered individually via the management interface and linked to a BLE tag. As soon as a person then enters the tunnel, they are automatically recorded. In addition to the duration of their stay, the zone in which the person is currently located, is also recorded. In the event of danger, the position data can then be used by the emergency services for evacuation. In this way, even under time pressure, it is possible to quickly determine who is currently in which area of the tunnel.

In addition, the system constantly records and monitors the battery charge status of the tags. If the battery charge level is low, the system reports this problem by e-mail to the responsible security officer to initiate the process to replace the battery. After the “low battery” message, there are 14 days within which it needs to be replaced. If the tag can no longer be reliably detected due to its state of charge, the system refuses access to the construction site for security reasons.

“The people detection system is convincing in all lines. The simple operation, the precise and fast recording of persons, and vehicles, as well as the convenient notification services, enable us to always monitor the occupancy status in the tunnel,” says Andreas Schweiger, Site Manager Energy and Telecom at Leyrer + Graf. “In the event of an evacuation, the highly innovative system provides us with safety-critical information, which in turn significantly increases safety for those underground.” However, it was not only the solution that convinced the construction company, but also the close cooperation with Zumtobel throughout the entire project.

“From the very beginning, Zumtobel supported us very professionally through all phases of the project – from conceptual design, development and delivery to the final handover of the solution. All requirements were met 100 per cent and, above all, on time. Zumtobel also provided us with a great deal of support on DSGVO-related issues throughout the entire project,” concludes Andreas Schweiger. After completion of the electrical installation work by Leyrer + Graf – in two and a half to three years – the tracking system will be dismantled as scheduled.

The New York Times hailed him as the “King of Dembow” after a sold-out October show at Madison Square Garden.  For the passionate legion of El Alfa fans, this title is more than well-deserved. With his alto, sensual voice and nonstop energy, the charismatic Dominican singer embodies the essence of the bouncy, upbeat variation of reggae that came of age in his nation and has swept across the world.

Recently, El Alfa brought his whirlwind dembow performance to Curaçao for the island’s first major music festival since the start of the pandemic lockdown. For the fans, it was well worth the wait. Their live festival draught ended with a bang, as El Alfa heated up the stage with his rapid fire intensity and smooth moves, all the while engaging the audience with his intimate style.

Enhancing the memorable experience at the festival, which was produced by Beehives Curaçao was a bold and dynamic lighting design by Jimmy Lo-A-Njoe and Iziquiel Goncalves of  Massive Productions, which supplied and installed the rig. Anchoring the lightshow and driving its visual power was a collection of over 100 CHAUVET Professional fixtures.

“It takes a village to make show like the Ambiente Music Festival 2021 happen, beginning with the man himself, El Alfa,” said  Lo-A-Njoe, of Massive Productions. “Giving all that has happened over the past two years, this festival meant a great deal to live music fans here.

“We were honored that Beehives Curaçao choose Massive Productions to do the event productions on location, and to make sure all went as planned,” continued  Lo-A-Njoe. “To ensure the success of this event, we turned to our trusted partners like Franky’s Chairs & Tables, Royal Rentals, The Green Machine Generator Rentals, Quickfiks Cleaning Services, T-Experience Security, Safe, Selikor, Yess Event Power, POSH, Prorent, Fiesta Tou – and of course out CHAUVET Professional fixtures.”

The rig’s 12 Maverick MK1 Hybrid fixtures, positioned six apiece to either side of the stage, were used as the main fill light during the show. Drawing on the intense output and tight beam angle of these 440W movers, the designers also relied on them to create an array of aerial and eye candy effects.

Joining the Mavericks in accenting ballyhoo moments (along with ample quantities of fog), were 15 STRIKE 4 fixtures. These high output blinders also reinforced the crowd connection, which is so much a part of an El Alfa concert experience, by washing the audience in warm white light.

Color also played  a key role in the lighting design, creating markedly different atmospheres to reflect the various moods of the songs in El Alfa’s set list, which featured a range of hits from  “Banda De Camion” and “Dominiano Soy,” to  “4K.”  For some of the more mellow and reflective tunes, the stage was covered with deep blues that were sprinkled with cool whites. At other points, things heated up with intense reds, pierced by sharp yellows and greens. Then there were more elegant passages where purples ruled.

To spread color throughout the entire stage, the designers relied on 10 COLORado Tri Tour fixtures to serve as truss warmers.  However, most of the color intensity was delivered by 16 Rogue R2 Spot fixtures, supported by 16 Rogue R2 Beam and 26 R2 Spot units, which contributed to the color scape in addition to creating aerial effects and crossing patterns of light.

“The entire family of Rogues are our workhorses,” said Lo-A-Njoe. “Since they are extremely fasted, we put them to use creating rapid sweeps for this show. We also used them for specials and eye candy throughout the evening. They’re compact enough to use in a ballroom, but powerful enough to make a statement at the big shows.”

On the subject of big shows, none have been bigger in Curaçao for quite some time than the return of festivals with El Alfa.  As anyone at the Curaçao Festival Center on Saturday November 20 would agree, the Massive Productions lightshow was big enough to meet the moment, and then some.

FUTURE designs has pioneered the refurbishment and upgrading of existing luminaires and carcasses for over 12 years. Taking existing FUTURE Designs products and those of competitors, FUTURE Designs has renewed the luminaires with latest LED technology transforming them into highly efficient and carbon saving solutions, extending the lifespan and drastically reducing carbon usage and overall costs.

David Clements, FUTURE Designs Chief Executive explains: “The carbon careful™ initiative could be described as our “best kept secret”, as a hugely efficient design and manufacturing business we have always endeavoured to keep waste to a minimum, and now as the world is faced with a growing necessity to Refurbish, Reuse and Restore wherever feasible,  we are sharing our story and expertise to encourage more organisations to follow suit.” 

The carbon careful™ book showcases a range of examples from leading blue-chip organisations, highlighting FUTURE Designs proficiency, capability and commitment to the refurbishment of existing luminaire carcasses to increase the sustainability of commercial premises.

LED has been the lighting medium of choice for over ten years now but there are still millions of old fluorescent fittings being used to illuminate space. By switching to LED, energy and carbon usage can be reduced by circa 50%, coupled with the reuse of mild steel and aluminium, the savings are significant.

LED has a far greater lifespan, and its ‘solid state’ makes it easier to dispose of, without the risk of harmful gases such as mercury found in fluorescent lamps making it better for the environment.

FUTURE Designs is always at the forefront of any technological breakthrough, renowned for our expertise in this area of lighting science and have proven to be the experts in adapting old fluorescent lighting to state-of-the art lighting, ensuring that the benefits from the reduced impact on the environment are fully realised.

The full book can be viewed here: https://www.futuredesigns.co.uk/carbon-careful/

He recently acquired new studio premises for a new car restoration TV show and when it came to fitting it out with lighting products, Tim Shaw opted for solutions from Ovia lighting. A range of products have been installed in the two-floor studio which has been specifically designed by the TV presenter and will be where certain episodes of his show are filmed.

In the new show Tim will be doing what he is most well-known for – restoring classic cars.  However, this time it will be with the help of their owners.

The studio has been kitted out with the very best equipment in the automotive industry and according to Tim, the Scolmore Group products were on a parr – with their exceptional quality, high performance and reliability noted.  It was also the speed and ease of installation of the products that impressed Tim.  Having originally quoted for the time it would take to do the whole installation job, the electricians involved were able to complete the work in a third less time, thus providing a saving not only in time but costs – vital on any job.

For Tim, it is all about the aesthetics and using the Ovia lighting products in an unusual way that works particularly well for TV.

Standing in the middle of the studio gives a view of the range of lighting that has been installed and Tim has adopted an unusual approach to fitting the Inceptor U-Lite slimline linear LED luminaires.  Normally hanging from the ceiling, he has opted to install the Inceptor U-Lites in an upright position on the walls, which he says adds a sense of scale but also enhances the lighting when working on the cars and has really helped with a specific task of identifying dents in the cars.  He was also impressed with how easy they were to install – “even I could fit those,” he said.

The U-Lite was designed and developed as the ideal retrofit replacement for single and twin-lamp fluorescent fittings.   There are 24 variants in the range, and they come in a range of lengths and in standard, microwave sensor and emergency models.  The transparent frosted polycarbonate cover dispenses light outward with an even spread of light.  As Tim discovered, wiring and installation of the U-Lite is quick and easy using the piano type 5-pole push fit terminals.   By integrating the diffuser and gear tray and anchoring them to the base, the U-Lite ensures a hassle free installation without the need to fully disassemble the product to mount and wire it.

A number of Inceptor Slate backlit panels have also been fitted unconventionally, hanging from cable trays rather than as panels fitted into the ceiling.  Again, Tim was keen to make a feature of the lighting products rather than just to provide a solution.  A couple of electricians who have been helping in the studio hardly noticed the luxury cars and high-tech equipment but were drawn to the Inceptor Slate panels and the way there were installed.  They were keen to photograph them as an ideal option for some industrial settings they were working on.  These TP(a) rated backlit panels have a low, <19 UGR diffuser, which produces a spread of light that is natural and warm and helps to reduce shadows, an important consideration when filming is taking place.   Its pre-wired push-fit 3-Pole Flow connector also make for quick and easy installation.

When it comes to the Flow lighting management systems, most people will tend to hide these away in cable trays or in ceiling voids.  Tim has opted to mount them on the wall, with one or two of these systems per floor of the studio.  “Using the light distribution box and the flow connectors, means you can’t get it wrong, it’s so easy to do, with as many lights as you want plugged into one board, it makes cabling and the whole job much easier.”

With the ground floor of the studio complete and already being used for filming, work has now commenced on duplicating the facilities on the second floor.  Tim is keen to reiterate his key reasons for selecting products from across the group:

“I’ve worked with Scolmore and a variety of products over the years and have always considered the company to have its finger on the pulse when it comes to innovation.  They continue to come up with new and improved products that make the whole installation process as simple and speedy as possible and that in turns means reduced outlay.  With such a vast array of products from under one roof, it really is a one stop shop for everything you need in electrical accessories.  Everything looks good and performs superbly and for me, it’s been great to fuse the functionality of the products with my keenness on the overall aesthetics and achieve a look that works brilliantly for TV.”