News

Architectural Lighting and Illumination Zone to inspire creativity in building lighting across the region (27/3/2006)

The many sophisticated developments taking shape across the Middle East are increasingly using the dramatic effects that can be created through architectural lighting to enhance their properties. In many cases, such as the Burj Al Arab, the creative use of lighting makes a huge contribution to their iconic status around the world.

As the requirements of the region become ever more demanding, it is essential that architects, developers and real estate companies keep up to date with the latest developments in this highly specialised and technologically advanced sector. Recognising this, IIR Middle East, organisers of Install, which is part of the PALME 2006 (The Middle East's professional sound, light, music, audio visual & systems integration exhibition) exhibition, have introduced a new dedicated area that focuses on architectural lighting and illumination.

"Lighting has become an integral part of many buildings," said Darren Brechin, Exhibitions Director, Entertainment & Installation Technology Group, IIR Exhibitions. "Buildings such as the Burj Al Arab and Fairmont Hotel in Dubai are prime examples of this - there is a high level of expertise involved in architectural lighting, and we're delighted that many of the world's leading authorities in the field will be at Install this year to participate in the Architectural Lighting and Interior Illumination Zone, a unique forum which will feature breathtaking creative inspiration and specialised industry seminars."

Multi-award winning and world renowned lighting architect Jonathan Speirs, of UK-based Speirs and Major Associates, the company that was responsible for the lighting of the Burj Al Arab (which was voted the world's best international design project), says that "The eyes of the design world are on Dubai in terms of the ambitious construction projects currently being planned and built. The after dark lit image of Dubai is of major importance to the international brand identity of Dubai, and also to the various developments. I am therefore delighted that PALME 2006 is featuring an Architectural Lighting and Interior Illumination Zone. More exposure to quality manufacturers and attending inspirational and educational seminars can only mean that the quality of the lighting design and finished projects gets better and better."

Speirs will deliver a seminar on "The Power of Light and Architecture - the work of Speirs and Major Associates", during the exhibition, and this will cover the company's work on the Swiss RE (the Gherkin), in London - the most well known tower building in the UK designed by Foster and Partners; The Museum of World Cultures, Gothenburg - a celebration of public space and architectural ingenuity and many others.

Other highly qualified experts that will be presenting during the full day of architectural lighting and illumination include Paul Simson, Director, Enliten Architectural Lighting and Vicky Fairall of Goboland UK, who will present a session on the use of theatrical type framing spotlights to project images, lighting effects and to frame simple objects (such as paintings in an art gallery) - an application that has become standard in the architectural lighting designers toolkit.

Their seminar looks at taking this a stage further and explores the use of gobo masks to create exact outlines of irregular "real life" objects and the different benefits of this type of controlled lighting to remove glare, light spill, to enhance an object and to control the size and shape of a projected lighting effect or image, illustrated with case studies from prestige projects from around the world.

Ted Ferreira of City Design, named Themed Lighting Designer of the Year in 1998 by Lighting Dimensions magazine, and winner of many industry awards during his career, has been actively involved in lighting and controls design for entertainment, retail, hospitality, gaming and commercial facilities for over 20 years. His work ranges from conceptual design to project management and site supervision and includes more than 400 projects worldwide exceeding $8 billion in total value. During the full day of architectural lighting and illumination seminars, he will examine the integration of lighting, controls and media into leisure projects worldwide including amusement parks, five-star resorts, museums and corporate visitor centres. Recent projects include two theme parks in India under construction, the world's largest aquarium and a multimedia show at one of most popular destinations in Hong Kong.

The importance of architectural lighting is further demonstrated by a recent announcement made by Dubai Properties - during the launch of The Vision Tower, a landmark skyscraper that will stand 51-storeys tall at the gateway to Dubai's Business Bay, the company outlined how it will use lighting to create an architectural icon. The bent glass facade of The Vision Tower will become the signature element, and will be made up of a wall of high-tech transparent glazing that will be internally lit to create a luminous beacon.

The many global leaders who will be exhibiting at Install this year have impeccable international pedigrees, and visitors will be able to benefit from their wealth of experience and expertise.

Traxon Technologies, the inventor of the award winning Mood Light and market leader in LED lifestyle products, stands for creative lighting solutions in the LED sector, and specialises in the application of state of the art technologies and providing clients with customised concepts. Their Mood Light Collection opened up a whole new dimension in lighting design when it was launched and won several design accolades, including the red dot award, the IF award and the Popai award.

Experts in the field of lighting control, Lutron, whose focus on product innovations, technology, quality, and customer service has made them the undisputed leader worldwide in the area of lighting controls, offer more than 10,000 products to satisfy virtually any residential or commercial project - their products adjust the intensity of virtually every kind of light, and Lutron remains to this day the only company that provides an integrated solution for controlling both natural daylight as well as electrical lighting.

Martin Architectural will be displaying the professionalism and expertise that has won the company many international awards for its work on projects that include Dubai's Fairmont Hotel, International Airport and Toyota showroom at Dubai Festival City alongside international projects such as the BT Tower in London, the Macao TV Tower in China and The Georgia International Convention Centre in Atlanta, USA.

Founded just three years ago, Element Labs, another Install exhibitor, has rapidly established a reputation for innovative lighting and video products and is expanding in all markets and territories. "The Middle East is an important market for us, and consequently this territory is one of our main strategic focuses." said Ernst Claas of Element. "Install/PALME really helps us to learn more about the local Middle East market - it allows us to meet dealers and specifiers face to face, show them our products and services and helps us in selecting local partners that have the potential to represent Element Labs on site."

One feature of Element's 2006 Install/PALME presence will be their new VersaPIXEL range of products. VersaPIXEL's distributed architecture gives designers complete freedom over pixel shape and placement - including intricate 3D arrangements.

Organised by international exhibition and conference organisers IIR, Install is part of PALME, the Middle East's premier professional sound, light, music, audio visual and systems integration exhibition, and takes place at Dubai International Exhibition Centre from April 23-25, 2006.

www.install-online.com