Light + Building, Frankfurt 2008
26th October '08
Chelsea Lighting Design visits Light + Building at Frankfurt, 2008
Frankfurt Fair once again lived up to its reputation as the most comprehensive and extensive showcase for the leading producers of lighting and lighting technology, certainly in Europe if not world-wide.
Gone is the parochial dominance of the earlier fairs at Hanover. This year there appeared to be a positive attempt to introduce an improved mix and diversity of manufacturers and products, resulting in a more stimulating experience overall.
This is possibly also something to do with the fact that lighting is on the threshold of some radical changes and developments, brought about by the coming together of two factors; the aims towards global energy saving and new advances in lamp and luminaire technology. Not since the introduction of fluorescent lighting, almost seventy years ago, has there been both incentive and the means to provide.
Judging by the proliferation of products now using LED technology and the levels of commitment and investment in this area, it looks as though we are looking at the future potential for many lighting solutions. What is still uncertain is the level to which this form of lighting can be developed before it achieves truly viable performance and affordability for everyday use. Nevertheless, the application of innovative thought to this relatively new use of a technology that has been around for some time, seems to have added a new and welcome impetus to the lighting industry.
It is anticipated for example that within 8 to 12 months a 4watt LED lightsource will have an output equivalent to that of a 50W tungsten halogen lamp and with an estimated life of up to 100,000 hours.
What else is new ?
In Designer lighting, Artemide won the prestigious Reddot Award for the spectacular "Mercury" suspension lamp by British [Welsh born] designer Ross Lovegrove.
Amongst others, International Forum [iF] Product Design awards went to two Brazilian companies Lumini for the innovative use of an adjustable reflector within a pendant suspension fitting to control the direction and intensity of the light, and Light Design a wall light with a simple aluminium curved reflector. German company Oligo received an award for an innovative adjustable height pendant incorporating an array of LED,s in a small circular polished aluminium disc that would be at home in either residential or commercial applications.
Grand scale lighting products that take on an architectural presence of their own are becoming more popular. Examples such as the Fontana Arte "Avico" pendant and the Prandina "Biluna" floor or table lamp use simple sculptural forms filled with light. Tre Ci Luce won a Design Plus award for the "Opera" range of pendant and ceiling fittings, for direct and indirect lighting, with a body constructed in wood and up to 180cm in diameter.
There was an interesting selection of task lights. Some were upgraded versions using new technology such as the Luceplan "Berenice" with LED,s and their "Fortebraccia" with a new tactile ‘soft-touch’ polymer finish. Metalarte introduced the "Mamba" a wall mounted or floor standing task light with a flexible stem and using LED lightsources. The minimalist and elegant "Line Z XL" desk lamp by Nimbus Group has a profile of only 5mm but has a wide spread of light, made possible by LED technology.
Awards were also given for the imaginative use of materials, such as the slim "Cohiba" linear suspension light by Studio Benjamin Hopf made with hand sown leather. The use of re-cycled or ‘eco’ materials also generated imaginative design solutions. Notable amongst these were lighting fittings made from discarded silk cocoons and nest like shades woven from rattan and tree bark.
Architectural lighting saw trends towards increased integration of lighting within architecture. Of particular interest was a new modular system by Luceplan designed to be highly flexible in that modular sections and optics are interchangeable within minimal recessed profiles.
Lighting for use Outdoors introduced several new ‘inside/outside’ products based on familiar items such as the Luceplan "Grande Costanza" now available in an outdoor version. Fontana Arte continued the theme with "Amax" their version of an outdoor standard lamp. Colour and effects also featured widely as in the Fontana Arte bollard "Chips" using a combination of LED’s and coloured inserts and "Riddle" a cast aluminium sphere with perforations by Troll that creates a random ‘explosion’ of light patterns on its surroundings. Luceplan have upgraded their "Sky" fitting in an LED version with or without an integral solar panel and re-chargeable battery operation for a wire free installation.
Other new products of note included the new version of Lutron’s "Grafik Eye QS" incorporating many new features, including window blind controls, an astronomical time clock and energy saving indicator, available in the next few months. Philips announced the 33% increase in sales of ‘green’ products and was awarded an iF product design award for the "EcoClassic50" lamp offering a 50% energy saving with an output and performance similar to halogen, instant start and dimmable.
If not already featured, we hope to be featuring most of these products in the New Products section of our website as soon as possible.
