Sans Souci unveils lighting installations at Claridge’s Hotel in London
Sans Souci reveals a series of custom-made installations for Claridge’s Hotel in London. 264 pendants were specially designed and produced to illuminate the world-famous art deco interiors.
The contemporary lighting refit was the vision of leading lighting designers L’Observatoire International with each installation designed by French architect Sylvain Dubuisson, well known for mixing classical style with cutting-edge lighting technologies. Each piece is made from opaque, sandblasted glass crafted into geometric patterns, which ensures unique light dispersion. This is further enhanced by fitting two-tone LED strips and one main light source to create a very special and sophisticated ambience.
“When I designed these pieces for Claridge’s, I wanted them to be both decorative and intriguing to fit with the elegance of the art deco interior design. This was achieved by combining two contrasting patterns – rectangular and circular – similar to Chesterfield sofas. The large, complicated designs were then produced in white glass, which embodies simple sophistication. Manufacturing large installations such as these is complicated but I am thrilled with the results, which stay true to my original designs.“ said Sylvain Dubuisson, architect and designer.
“We were delighted to have the opportunity to work with L’Observatoire International and Sylvain Dubuisson, world leaders in lighting design. Dubuisson is always looking to work with new technologies and materials, which is something we are passionate about at Sans Souci. The development process took lots of time and resources to create these beautiful pendants in a colour that is entirely unique to this project. The final installations are elegant and one of a kind, just like Claridge’s.“ added Dominik Cienciala, managing director for Sans Souci UK.
“First, we brought an ambient layer of cove lights that accentuated the height and ornate detailing in the corridors, and introduced a system of tunable white fixtures that warm gradually from day to night. Secondly, we needed to design a light fixture that was iconic and completely unique; that fit perfectly in the design heritage of Claridges, but felt timeless. With longtime collaborator Sylvain Dubuisson, we designed a fixture that is both beautiful and functional- with many layers of light that allowed it to provide cooler, diffuse light in the day then transition to warm, more directional light at night. The realization of the design was made possible with the expertise of Sans Souci and their experience with cast glass- whose involvement throughout the process ensured that we were able to devise specific fabrication solutions for these very beautiful pendants, that transformed these spaces and became a beautiful addition to the hotel.”
A total of 264 pendants and 198 wall lights were made to illuminate Claridge’s interiors. This adds to the list of Sans Souci projects London, which includes the Southbank Spa, Connaught Patisserie, The Langham Hotel, 1 Blackfriars Tower Crown Plaza hotel, Royal Lancaster hotel, and Fortnum & Mason – the Parlour & the Fountain Restaurant.
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Preciosa Lighting creates a stunning lighting installation at Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1
Changi Airport partnered with Preciosa Lighting to create a lighting installation for a newly refurbished area at Terminal 1 Departure/ Transit Hall.
Sculptural light garden
The Preciosa team knew the installation had to be something outstanding. The lighting should have a strong narrative, rooted in the tropical garden theme characteristic of the airport interiors and all of Singapore. Garden Metamorphosis is a sculpture which blends in unique compositions, exploring the shapes and patterns of nature. It captures every moment of a garden’s never-ending transformation. The installation is organic and fluid, featuring abstract shapes to trigger visitors’ fantasies. Preciosa Lighting designer Anna Kralova was the lead designer on the project. “This is the transformation that nature naturally undergoes,” Ms. Kralova said. “Here, these leaves turn into butterflies which visually blend with the leaves. Just like in nature – when a butterfly sits on a flower or a leaf, it completely merges with it.”
A bright touch of light
The installation is more than ten metres long and 9 metres wide. There are more than 650 hand blown crystal components including small and big butterflies and small and big single and double leaves. Each component is an original and handcrafted at the Preciosa factory in the Czech Republic. The metal base is champagne and polished brass for a warm feel. Component colours include clear crystal, frosted crystal, champagne, light pink, pink, and light and dark lustre.
The architecture and interior design was led by RSP Architects Planners & Engineers, Singapore. Preciosa Lighting worked with the main contractor, Takenaka Corporation, Singapore.
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Lighting expert Praveen Thampi is on jury of the Design Middle East Awards 2021
A Bachelor of Electronics & Communication Engineering, Praveen Thampi completed his Masters (M.Tech) in Illumination Technology from M.I.T, Manipal with flying colours and started his career as a lighting designer with Philips Lighting in the year 2000. He then went on to do his M.B.A in International Business from Apollo University, before the inception of his own architectural lighting design and consultancy firm called The Ministry Of Light, in 2004. With offices in Hong Kong, Mumbai and Dubai, Thampi is the president of The Ministry of Light which is one of the largest architectural lighting design firms in Asia-Pacific, with a team of architects and interior designers trained and specialised in lighting design.
His Commercial office projects projects have been a benchmark in the industry in terms of lighting technology and introduction of latest lighting standards. He is one of the few lighting consultants worldwide who specialises and spearheads innovative and sustainable office lighting techniques by blending the ASHRAE Standards, WELL V2 Standards, CIBSE LG7 Standards & USGBC LEED V4 Standards and formulated a new lighting quality standard concept – LQS for all his projects.
He was one of the first lighting xonsultants worldwide to effectively introduce an integrated lighting management system into a commercial Office environment way back in 2004, with the introduction of DALI & DSI connected Occulux system which paved way to intelligent/smart lighting in commercial offices.
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French lighting brand Forestier launches its new collection
French lighting brand Forestier, which is known for using natural materials such as bamboo and wicker, expands its collections with new designs named Parrot and Grass. Jette Scheib emphasises that Grass and Parrot collections are intended to express the peace that reside in the weaving process, and the connection of basket makers with the nature around them.
These collections are taking up the artisanal methods of weaving and folding, the colorful abaca combines geometric braiding and circular shape. While Grass with stripes of vert, blue and marron colours is evoking the landscapes of cultivated fields, vert, sable, and marron colours of Parrot are getting inspiration by the parrot.
The light sources of the products, which can be used with E27 compatible bulbs, are hidden by another truncated cone, which is made by using traditional weaving and folding methods, is placing symmetrically on the lampshade. Thus, the light emits homogeneously from the source without disturbing the eye.
The textile cabled products are bringing colourful and lively summer breeze to living areas and bedrooms with the size alternatives in XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL.
You can also visit their website for detailed information: www.tepta.com
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Spotlight on Human-Centric Lighting – Design Middle East
Vikash Banwarie, Managing Director MET-APAC-India at TRILUX Group, discusses his present role, diverse client base, and the growing emphasis on human-centric lighting in the face of a pandemic
What are your main priorities and goals in your role?
Being two years with our firm TRILUX Group, we have put lots of focus on bringing our brand and solutions closer to the key markets in the Middle East and Asia Pacific. The journey started by shifting our regional headquarter for growth markets to Dubai. I firmly believe that you can serve markets at their best when you are as close as possible to your customers. In particular, in today’s environment where digital is getting more common practice, living and experiencing the markets at first hand is so vital. As the region is very diverse, it helps us to really understand our customers and bring meaningful lighting and building solutions forward to meet their needs. In the same spirit, TRILUX also opened our own office in Singapore and we have tied up with new strong channel partners across Asia and the Pacific.
What would you say are the defining philosophies of TRILUX?
The brand promises to deliver individual value through end-user driven lighting solutions with leadership in sustainability and digital connectivity. We clearly see in both spaces the innovation cycles and product lifetime are getting shorter. New themes as circular buildings and smart connectedness require an ongoing dialogue with leading customers, architects, lighting designers, and other specifiers. This conversation goes beyond being a knowledge partner for all stakeholders in the building industry, but really involve your market in your innovation roadmap. For example, when it comes to smart buildings and cities, TRILUX works together with different companies beyond lighting and from an open-innovation mindset bring distinguished value to the building industry. A nice proof point is our collaboration with ZECH Group, a leading international consortium of smart building solutions.
What are the challenges facing your industry going forward amid COVID- 19?
Please allow me to share that our people are the most important asset. In the Middle East and parts of Asia, many of our employees are expats. They have been hit very hard in their mobility to be close to their dear families during the pandemic. Our first and actually only challenge was to protect our employees and their relatives. This was literally our main challenge. As on the other hand business-wise the pandemic has accelerated our creativity to further build our brand through digital programs, opening new markets on a strong nurtured network on distance and dare to enter new channels as EPC in Oil & Gas and run innovation pilots on for example PoE. The pandemic made our teams much more flexible and creative. I am so proud of my teams, who never gave up and delivered a successful 2020 and perspective 2021 is also promising.
What parts/products of your business are staying busy – or even busier – due to the virus?
Though most of the existing known trends continue during the pandemic, there is one that is getting more vast attention: human-centric lighting. Due to the pandemic health and well-being has been in the spotlight more than ever. And with a new norm of partly home working, people will continue to spent now even more time indoors. We clearly notice that the eagerness from the market to learn more about our human-centric lighting solutions and adopt even human-centric buildings is absolutely breaking through. Tell us about some softwares you are working with? A software is more appealing when properly designed and applied. As then it will be the DNA of distinguished services. At TRILUX, we provide a wide spectrum of tailored services. Some nice examples are space occupancy optimisation, crowd control, remote maintenance management, but also proximity marketing in commercial spaces and what to think about daylight simulation in 24 hours spaces like healthcare or logistics. At the end of the day, it is all about getting the business model explained and tested on value creation to our clients.
Who are your main clients?
As with many global companies, we serve a wide range of top box clients in the public and commercial sectors. It’s interesting is see that the role of lighting is changing due to the increasing role of themes like circularity and smart buildings, we not only work for more clients but especially we now also deal with different decision-makers who want to know about our value we can forward, from marketing directors to CFO’s and CEO’s from e.g. property developers, airports, universities, hotels as well as infrastructure.
What’s next for your company?
The beauty of TRILUX is that we are over more than 100 years always consistent in what we do. Though the lighting industry will demand more complex solutions from companies like us – that is why relevant partnerships are very important in our way forward -, TRILUX simplifies Light! and we will continue to do so. That might explain why we have continued growth also outside Europe.
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Lighting up the flowers – Design Middle East
Jeremy Cole is an award-winning ceramist, designing and creatingccollections of lighting inspired by nature. All his pieces are works of art, each handmade with intricate details. Every crafted ceramic plant is an expression of Cole’s native New Zealand, known for its natural scenery and flora.
As part of his ongoing experimentation around orchids, Cole has designed this breathtaking Cymbidium chandelier. The light is made from completely hand mastered porcelain flowers individually created by Cole. The flowers are lit via an internal lamp gear. Cole says: “I constantly experiment with the mediums of ceramics and light by exploring the relationship between flora and art.”
Available in Matt White/Matt Black; jeremycole.net
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Nulty completes 10 years in the lighting industry
International lighting design practice Nulty is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month. The company has grown substantially over the last decade and has delivered lighting schemes in some of the most glamorous locations. From Bloomingdales to Browns, and from Nike to The Ned, Nulty has worked with some of the biggest brands and clients covering an impressive range of sectors.
Split across the UK, US, UAE, and Asia, the award-winning lighting design practice currently boasts an impressive roster of projects, from the recently completed Pudu Pudu by Dr Oetker store in LA to the transformational illumination of Leake Street Arches in London.
At its inception a decade ago, Nulty began life as the brainchild of Paul Nulty, a renowned lighting designer and champion for the wider built environment. With a dream to disrupt the lighting industry and fashion it into a more dynamic world, Paul pushed boundaries that were unexpected and unique. “Lighting is incredibly important.”, he says. “It’s the conduit for the primary sense of light. If you light a space well it changes and can emotionally connect a person with that space. I think that there wasn’t really anyone in the industry getting that messaging across and there were very few people willing to take that risk. I wanted to build a brand that would champion the importance of light.”
Fast forward to 2021, and the company has grown from a small core team into a bustling hub of almost 50 employees. With a larger team, comes greater opportunity, and in the past few years, Nulty has become one of the leading lighting design studios in the world, with many clients citing them as their first choice of the designer to implement light on a project. The last decade has seen the team deliver innovative lighting solutions on projects such as the Superdry Flagship Store, The United Nations, The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, Manchester United Stadium Store and Chelsea Barracks, to name a few.
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