Nulty+ lighting designers pick out customised Yori pendants from Reggiani for über-cool hotel installation

Reggiani’s Yori pendants have been chosen by renowned London-based Nulty+ lighting designers to welcome guests to the new 900- bedroomed Hard Rock Hotel, London. The property on the corner of Marble Arch and Park Lane was once home to The Cumberland Hotel, a favourite of the legendary rock guitarist and singer, Jimi Hendrix, amongst others. The venue has recently undergone a major refit to include two bars, a 370-seat Hard Rock café in the lobby and an onsite ‘Rock Shop’ selling Hard Rock merchandise.

Nulty+ was responsible for creating the overall lighting design and the related sense of destination, both of which had to complement each individual space whilst also ensuring that the illumination used was precisely centred on the many pieces of iconic rock memorabilia on display. The entrance lobby greets guests with a blast of rock-worthy sensory stimulation that is generated by the juxtaposition of brass panels, rods and mirrors, ably supported by Reggiani’s narrow 2W wire-suspended Yori pendants with a 28-degree medium beam in a striking mix of matt black and brushed gold finishes. The luminaires themselves have been installed in an inverted U-shaped entrance space which from the outside offers a 3000k warm and welcoming lighting configuration that beckons and draws the visitor into the building and towards the reception area…

The suspended Yori pendant fittings in matt black and brushed gold continue through the lift lobby areas as well to create a uniform way-finding lighting solution for hotel guests as well as preannouncing the main drumstick feature over the reception desks beyond. Here the music theme soars with an eye-catching and totally original, bespoke short and wavy drumstick-light-curtain feature that creates a sparkling and illuminating check-in experience for every visitor.

Emilio Hernandez, Director at Nulty+, commented: “The Yori fitting is a great luminaire with a huge range of finishes to complement the interior designer’s use of materials. The discreet size and minimal detailing allowed it to be used in a range of locations within this project presenting excellent value and quality of light.”

The lighting scheme created by Nulty+ for the new Hard Rock Hotel, London, is a story of multiple successful parts, from an awe-inspiring mecca for music lovers to revere and ‘connect’ with their heroes to a luxury hotel providing rock-star service. Reggiani is proud to have played a role in this stunning installation.

Creative hands-on training is energising career prospects for the stage crew of tomorrow at Lighthouse, Poole’s centre for the arts, thanks to the Bright Sparks initiative funded by its annual Big Christmas Appeal.

Young Technicians is an innovative course for young people aged 16-24 eager to get to grips with lighting, sound and stage management in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings.

The course is currently on its third intake offering 16 students a broad introduction to understanding and operating lighting and sound, as well as a range of planning, design and health and safety concerns including risk assessment and method statements.

“It’s about workforce development,” explains Lighthouse partner Libby Battaglia, who designed the course with Poole-based international lighting designer James Smith.

“As one of the UK’s largest regional arts centres Lighthouse has always found it difficult to find and recruit technicians from the area so given that we have highly skilled and creative technicians of our own and connections with some of the top freelancers and private companies in the field we set out to train our own from an early age.”

The course costs £145 to cover some of the costs, but full bursaries are available to students funded by the annual Big Christmas Appeal at Lighthouse for Bright Sparks.

“This Christmas students will work on Jack and the Beanstalk, our family panto, with James who is production manager on the show. They’ll see him in action and put the headphones on so they can hear the technicians at work and some of them will be able to do some paid work on the follow spots.

“In February the connection with Light Up Poole festival of digital light art means they’ll work alongside the artists and technicians to deliver a major outdoor event right on their doorstep.”

James has more than 15 years of professional experience lighting musical theatre, plays, pantomimes, live music and events all over the world. His enthusiasm for teaching Young Technicians is immediately obvious, as is his rapport with the group.

“There are few if any courses like this available in this country,” he says. “The students get lots of hands-on experience and crucially it’s real world training in a working multi-venue arts facility and a live festival on the streets of Poole.”
The course provides a foundation that will enable Young Technicians to specialise and next year it is hoped to run more advanced intensive five-day courses in lighting, sound and stage management.

“I want to take this on and get more into sound engineering,’ says Peter Mason, from Lytchett Matravers. “We’ve done a lot in short time and I’ve had a go at different things. The guys taking the course are really good and have a lot of experience as well as skills to share.”

Teia Johnson, from Ferndown, also has an eye on the future.

“I’m really keen to follow a career in stage management,” she says. “The Young Technicians course means I am adding to my portfolio of experience and it will count in my favour when applying for university courses, but it’s also putting me in direct contact with people working at the top of their profession. It’s an amazing opportunity.”

It is planned to develop Young Technicians into formal apprenticeships at Lighthouse and then to run an industry-led foundation course.

“Lighthouse is actively seeking a partner college or university locally to help deliver that,” adds Libby, “but for now the course presents career opportunities to young people who might not even realise that jobs like these exist.”

To find out more or to register interest in future intakes of Young Technicians or the specialised courses email learning@lighthousepoole.co.uk.

To donate to the Big Christmas Appeal at Lighthouse visit www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/christmas.

Picture shows James Smith at work with the Young Technicians.

Juan Luis Guerra recently kicked off his 2019 “Literal Juan Luis Guerra 4.40 Tour Grandes Éxitos” with a complete Robe specification for the lighting rig, which has been designed by Daniel Charif and is being operated and directed on the road by Emmanuel Ferry, who also programmed.

The three-time Grammy and 21-time Latin Grammy award-winning artist, musician, singer, composer and record producer has sold over 70 million records worldwide and is one of the most internationally recognised Dominican artists. His signature merengue / Afro-Latin fusion style has been distinctive, popular and successful, and for this tour he is playing alongside his fantastic and highly acclaimed band, 440, creating a diverse mix of sounds in an entertaining live show.

Bogota’s new Movistar Arena provided the second stop on the tour. The show was completely sold-out and Emmanuel was delighted because they had nearly their full complement of Robe moving lights supplied by the house technical providers Linea Estrategica, Colombia’s largest rental company.

Guerra’s touring specification includes 112 x Robe fixtures … a mix of BMFL Spots, BMFL WashBeams, MegaPointes and Spiiders.

These are at the hub of the rig, augmented with around 75 other lights including more wash lights, strobes and 2-lite blinders.

The main reason for choosing Robe – apart from the fact that it’s a market-leading brand, popular on the premium Latin circuit, and one of Daniel’s favourites – is that the design needed exceptionally bright fixtures to be able to cut through a large expanse of 6mm LED screen.

The screen isn’t just at the back; all the stage risers, set and steps are also fronted with LED, and they also have two side screens.

So, with so many lumens to slice through, the choice was BMFLs, MegaPointes and Spiiders, “all renowned for their brightness.”

The lights in Bogota were rigged across three ‘goalpost’-style trusses onstage and a front ‘advance’ truss. The goalposts created a shrinking perspective look and offered up three sets of trussing side legs, ideal for hanging wash fixtures like the Spiiders in practical cross-lighting positions.

The hard edges of the BMFLs and the MegaPointes cut through the ambience of the LED screen that dominated the upstage area, but, despite its prominence, lighting cues and video content worked harmoniously together, an aspect of the show on which Daniel and Emmanuel worked very hard with video directors Tabare Blanchard and Dennis Lozado.

The show itself is a lively performance and a collage of colour, energy and animation as well as rich and rhythmic sounds that get everyone dancing in the first number.

The lighting looks are straightforward, definite and strong. Juan Luis Guerra’s big all-embracing sound and his charismatic show is so tight musically that he doesn’t need lots of whizz-bang effects to help it along!

Emmanuel was happy to have Robe on the spec as it’s also his first choice of moving light. He likes the “power, colours and overall performance” and believes the brand has brought “new standards to the market” with its products. He’s been using and specifying these for several years, but especially in the last two years and is impressed with Robe’s progression.

The MegaPointe is currently his favourite Robe product! That’s because of its “huge power and versatility.”

He likes the colours, the smooth mixing, the gobos and prisms plus the fact it’s light and fast.

He thinks the BMFLs are “great workhorses” for any medium to large rig, event or venue.

Ahead of the Juan Luis Guerra tour, programming was the biggest challenge as the time was short and pressured, but he and Daniel managed to get lots of great-looking looks and transitions into the ChamSys MQ80 console – which he owns.

Emmanuel is also from the Dominican Republic and enjoys being part of the Juan Luis Guerra team: “They are great people, very down-to-earth! It’s a family atmosphere where everyone is treated well and their contributions to the show are valued,” he explained.

The star gets involved in the production himself, how he and the band look and are presented onstage, so he personally appreciates and understands the crew’s collective efforts to ensure his fans always have an excellent and memorable experience.

Photos: Louise Stickland

Megaman’s Berto panel and Renzo bulkhead LED fixtures have been used to create a comfortable, safe and energy efficient working environment for multi-disciplinary law practice GHP Legal’s new office in Shropshire.

Established in 1970, GHP Legal has grown significantly over the years and now has four branches across North Wales and Shropshire, serving a client base stretching across more than ten counties. The site of the new office is in the centre of Oswestry at 21 The Cross and has been empty since the bank that previously occupied it was moved. The building has undergone extensive renovations to ensure it meets the needs of the law practice.

Megaman was tasked with providing a full lighting design and specification for the new office. A combination of 36W MEGAMAN®BERTO ultra slim LED integrated panels and 15.5W MEGAMAN® RENZO LED bulkhead fixtures was selected. Berto panels, which feature a low glare diffuser ensuring a high quality of light, were easily installed in the suspended ceiling structure. The 600mm x 600mm LED panels are the same size as the ceiling tiles so could be installed simply in their place with no need to adapt the structure. The 4000k colour temperature LEDs deliver a cool white light ideal for the office environment.

Megaman’s Renzo surface mounted, LED bulkhead range, was chosen for use in the stairwell areas as an energy efficient alternative to compact wall-mounted fluorescents. The fixture’s opal diffuser has been designed to produce an even distribution of light. The Renzos selected for use on this project included the Renzo Sensor with a built-in microwave motion sensor to help lower energy usage. The Renzo Emergency was also specified, meaning the lighting will also function as a three-hour (E3) emergency lighting solution to provide uninterrupted illumination for a safe evacuation in the event of a fire or loss of power.

Lloyd Robson, Business Development Manager at Megaman, explained: “As one of the few suppliers that can provide full lighting design services, we were approached to create a plan that would meet the needs of the client. With our wide range of LED lighting products, we were able to provide solutions for each area of the building to ensure a comfortable and safe environment for the staff and visitors.”

Richard Lloyd, Senior Partner at GHP Legal commented: “All of us who are now working at our 21 The Cross office have been impressed by the lighting. The excellent quality of the light in the new premises has contributed to creating a good environment for work and helps give the right first impression to our visitors.”

For more information about Megaman and its lighting solutions, please visit: www.megamanuk.com, like Megaman UK Ltd on Facebook or follow @MegamanUKLtd on Twitter.

Fontainebleau, France – 22-25 May 2021

The Showlight quadrennial lighting conference will take place at Fontainebleau, France from 22-25 May, 2021. At the heart of Showlight is its fascinating programme of papers delivered by lighting practitioners from around the world.

Call for Papers – we want to hear from you!

The essence of Showlight is its speakers, and we are now calling for anyone involved in lighting – be they lighting designers, lighting directors, directors of photography, architectural lighting designers or associated crafts like programmers and manufacturers – to submit their ideas for 2021’s conference papers in Fontainebleau. Talks are to be twenty minutes in length to enable as many papers as possible to be presented over the three-day period.

We aim for variety, across topics relevant to all aspects of the lighting industry today. We want to hear about your experiences, your ambitions, your inspirations, your concerns, your successes and your failures. We are not looking for simple product promotion.

Typical subjects might include:

• Innovative and interesting designs
• Unusual projects large or small
• Solving the impossible
• Your unique corner of the lighting world
• The future and the past – where should we be going and what should we have learnt
• Issues that are affecting our industry and how we work

If you would like to become part of Showlight 2021 by presenting a paper, please send us the following at papers@showlight.org:

•  Name(s)
• Company
• Mobile number
• Email address
• A brief summary of the paper you are proposing

Please note: all papers will be considered by the Showlight Papers Committee, and if selected you will be contacted for further details, and with technical requirements and accommodation information.

We look forward to receiving your exciting ideas.

Watch this Space!

Speakers will be announced as confirmed from 2020 onwards. Join our NEW mailing list and social media, and log into our new website to be the first to hear!

Sponsorship News

Showlight would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors: Headline Sponsor, Robert Juliat; Platinum sponsor, Ayrton; Gold sponsors, Eyetidy, Robe and SFL Group; Silver sponsors White Light and ACT Lighting, Inc; and Bronze sponsor, PRG. Showlight 2021 is also kindly supported once again by our media partner, LSI, and by LSA. If you would like to become a Showlight sponsor, contact us on sponsorship@showlight.org

Website: www.showlight.org 

Facebook: @showlightevent

Twitter: @Showlight2021

Following its successful shortlisting at the UK Social Mobility Awards, electrical distributor Rexel has made the 2019 Roll of Honour in recognition of its progressive apprenticeship programme.

The awards focus on making the advancement of social mobility a central part of how organisations are run in the UK, recognising best practice and innovation by celebrating excellence in elevating social mobility as a cause equal to the level of other diversity issues.

To qualify for the roll of honour Rexel entered the awards’ Progression category and successfully got shortlisted to the final 57 from the 115 submitting organisations.

Vicky Ordish is Apprenticeship Programme Manager at Rexel and is dedicated to co-ordinating and managing all aspects of the programme across the business covering recruitment, induction, training and development of the apprentices to make sure they are fully supported.

She said: “Rexel is always looking to support young apprentices and we firmly believe it’s important to show stronger commitment to this talent pool by offering the security of providing long-term career paths, progression opportunities, training and development.

“Rexel is committed to contributing to the localities in which our branches reside. Part of this commitment is to provide an apprenticeship programme which offers youngsters not in education, employment or training with support, and also offers a dedicated team focused on developing their skills and knowledge from which to launch their careers.”

A badge of honour has been created for Rexel to proudly display on all company communications to help inspire positive change in wider industries.

For more information on Rexel’s services and solutions visit www.rexel.co.uk

– Globally successful specialist for lighting is set for continued growth
– 400 employees worldwide, including around 190 in Germany
– Investments of several million euros planned
– Innovation growth at the production site in Zachow and in sales

Selux AG, a long-standing Berlin-based company founded in 1948, plans to systematically expand its position in sustainable lighting solutions in Europe and North America by quickly increasing innovation. In order to realize this ambitious plan, Selux has brought on a strong partner – an equity fund represented by CMP Capital Management Partners is assuming control of the globally active specialist for high-quality, efficient, and well-designed lighting solutions. Selux already casts light on major streets, squares, and places around the world, including the famous 9/11 World Trade Center Memorial in New York City. The aim is to further develop their position as one of the leading companies in the industry in the coming years.

The head office will remain in Berlin, and the important production site in Zachow near Ketzin (Brandenburg) will also remain open. Thousands of lights have already been produced here, including the famous Schupmann candelabra standing at the Brandenburg Gate. The sites in Miribel (France) and Highland, New York (USA), which have both been successful for over 30 years, will continue to ensure the efficient international production of Selux products in their local markets.

“Selux is a champion in its field”
“When we were approached by the company founded by the Bansbach family to form a partnership, we immediately recognized that Selux is a champion in its field. With its activities in Germany, North America, France, Great Britain, Sweden, Benelux, and Australia, Selux has a powerful worldwide production and distribution network. At the same time, we see strong growth potential for the global brand in many prominent locations around the world. Using light as a creative element in central locations in high-quality designs with outstanding technology enriches our lives,” says Kai Brandes, Managing Director of CMP Capital Management Partners, which is also headquartered in Berlin.

Approval by the Federal Cartel Office completed – closing has taken place
Execution of the corporate acquisition was in the hands of Jan Dettbarn from CMP, who has also been a member of the Executive Board of Selux AG since mid- November. “We are pleased with the successful completion of the transaction. The purchase contract is signed, the approval by the Federal Cartel Office has been received, and the closing – the fulfilment of all contractual terms – has taken place.

This means security for the employees, customers, and partners as well as for the suppliers.”

The company generated approximately 85 million euros in sales last year and employs around 400 employees worldwide, including 190 in Germany. In October 2019, a reconciliation of interests and a redundancy plan were agreed on with the General Works Council. According to these agreements, there will be limited staff adjustments by the end of the year to increase efficiency, particularly in the administrative area. As part of the plan to drive innovation, investments in the amount of several million euros will be made in new intelligent products and the digital networking of the international production sites. Specific focus is on the Berlin site and the Zachow production site as well as the expansion of the sales offices in Europe and North America.

Klaus-Peter Siemssen returns to Selux as CEO
“After some difficult but constructive negotiations, and despite some staff changes, we in the General Works Council are looking optimistically to the future; especially with regard to Klaus-Peter Siemssen’s return. As in previous years, we can continue to count on the expertise, devotion, commitment, and loyalty of our employees into the future. Together we look forward to building a relationship that ensures we continue to supply our customers with sophisticated lighting solutions,” explains Robin Hübner, President of the General Works Council of Selux AG.
Returning to his former domain, Klaus-Peter Siemssen will take over the leadership of Selux AG as CEO on 1 January 2020. Siemssen previously held this position from early 2010 until the end of 2014.

“Selux is a strong brand. We realize sophisticated and sustainable lighting solutions with the most famous designers and architectural offices around the world. To have the opportunity to implement the vision of a strong, internationally active Selux with CMP and the global team is a challenge I very much look forward to. Because of their durability, our products have a very special responsibility – they shape the urban space and therefore our culture, as well as impact people. Partnership is crucial in this context; we can only achieve these extraordinary results as a team.

I want to develop new things with the dedicated team. In the future, with their expertise, we will be able to ensure the well-being of people and put very special places around the world in the best light. With this great foundation, we will be able to continue to create many highly-regarded lighting installations together with our customers, lighting designers, and architects,” says Siemssen. “After all, it’s part of the DNA of Selux to create product innovations and to offer ever more capable lighting solutions. The market thinks long-term, and in addition to high-quality light and an efficient, timeless design, first-class workmanship is called for. Finally, the individual lighting projects realized by us should do one thing above all – work reliably for decades to delight people.”

The Lighting Association of Ireland has become a member of LightingEurope. The association has 24 members representing lighting product manufacturers, distributors, and designers.

“LightingEurope welcomes the Lighting Association Ireland,” says Ourania Georgoutsakou, Secretary General of LightingEurope. “We share a common vision to promote the benefits of good lighting and we look forward to working with LAI to deliver a sound regulatory framework with simple rules that are enforced swiftly and effectively.”

• Signify launches Interact Industry in collaboration with Pilkington
• Automotive New cloud-based, wireless connected lighting system provides industrial businesses with energy savings, delivers insights into space usage and establishes a safer working environment
• An infrastructure for future innovation providing data-driven insights

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, today announced that it installed Interact Industry in the newly developed warehouse facility of Pilkington Automotive in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, marking its entrance into the Industrial IoT space. This cloud-based, wireless connected lighting system is specifically designed for warehouses and manufacturing facilities.

Pilkington Automotive, part of NSG Group, is one of the world’s largest suppliers of automotive glass. Its new European central warehouse meets the latest storage systems & warehouse design standards and is fully aligned with the company’s future-orientated business approach.

“Our site is designed to set a new standard for warehouse lighting in the glass industry. With Interact Industry, we received a connected lighting system that does more than just provide light. It also gives us data about our site and allows us to make smarter decisions about our operations.” Marcel Devereaux, Category Manager Energy Projects, NSG Group

Interact Industry software enables Pilkington Automotive to analyze all data collected through smart sensors embedded in the lighting system, utilizing the data to improve the warehouse and process layout continuously. For example, with data insights on the intensity of space usage over time, actions can be taken to reduce inefficiencies in order-picking time in the warehouse. The system also increases the warehouse’s energy efficiency and makes it more sustainable. “Compared to sites where conventional lighting is used, the new system achieves up to 50% energy savings by adapting the lighting to demand, using daylight harvesting and presence sensors. This is on top of the significant savings already achieved by changing to LED lighting. Also, the carbon footprint at Pilkington Automotive can be reduced by 290 tonnes of CO2 each year,” said Devereaux.

Cost efficient and easy to use, Interact Industry makes central lighting control more accessible than ever before. The connected lighting system supports industrial businesses to make an impact with data. It will drive customers towards safer and more productive warehouse and factory environments, more efficient staff and lower energy consumption.

“At Signify, we have a rich history in providing high quality lighting for industrial companies – but with the launch of Interact Industry, we’re truly taking a leap forward. Businesses are increasingly using data to improve business processes. This system can provide them with valuable, data-driven insights to create a safer working environment for staff, improve productivity and reduce energy use,” said Ton van de Wiel, Global Sub-segment Director for Industry at Signify.

Connected lighting benefits

Increased safety and productivity – Reliable lighting ensures a safe working environment, reduces accidents and allows for continuous operations by eliminating unplanned maintenance. Interact Industry enables the user of the warehouse to be preventive instead of reactive, giving immediate insight into current faults and flagging potential future defects before they occur in order to limit any downtime. It’s widely recognized that preventive maintenance can generate business savings of 12 to 18%[1]

Optimized use of space – Interact Industry provides insights that improve the productivity of employees by enabling them to monitor their operations. The connected system, equipped with motion sensors that collect data, can show the intensity of space use across different areas and across time. This allows managers to verify ABC stocking strategies and take appropriate actions when needed to improve operations and reduce inefficiencies in order-picking time.

Reduced energy consumption – With Interact Industry, operators can monitor energy consumption across the facility and optimize the light settings. Sensors will enable daylight harvesting and will trigger the right light behavior based on presence. Interact Industry also allows companies to schedule lighting, for example lowering the light levels during the week when different activity requires different light levels. All of this helps businesses meet regulatory demands and sustainability goals.

Interact Industry helps customers in their journey towards creating a smart warehouse and to be fully ready for technology upgrades in the future. For more information on Interact Industry and the collaboration with Pilkington Automotive, you can download the case study (pdf) and view the video here.

[1] Source: Mintek