sensor and sensibility
Shanghai, 12th November 2013
After a long day of site meetings in Anji and a 300km/h speed train ride back from Hangzhou, I have checked into my Shanghai Hotel for my last bits of meetings tomorrow. Every time I stay in a hotel (and I stay in many!) I look around how they did the lighting obviously…you can call that professional curiosity…
In last night’s hotel in the “small” town of Anji (still a few million people living there!) I was puzzled about the guestrooms hallway down light that kept going on and off without any logic. Being an LED down light and not reacting to any switch action I thought initially it was just a typical LED Cowboys cheap light failure. It is only much later that it dawned on me that the light was activated by a sensor! Not obvious when you enter the room as the first thing you do is put your key card in the slot to activate the master controls. So as long as you move in your room the light stays on, but the moment you sit down behind the desk or lay down on your bed the light switches off after a while. It was not the most obvious thing that it was on a sensor and I wonder how many like me were trying all switches to switch the damn light off!
Hotels do use more and more sensors to activate/ deactivate lights when not needed. Guest room corridors are typical application areas where this is used fairly successfully, though I remember one hotel where the sensor only worked when you came out of the elevator into the corridor to your room, but not when you came out of your room.
Another area of use is in the wardrobe cabinet where a sensor is being used instead of a micro-switch. Interesting thought, but in practice it is not perfect. While the micro-switch has it frailty, the sensor seems to work also when you walk through the room when your cabinet door is open, in the process creating a light that switches on and off as you walk past…not ideal either. The use of sensors is obviously “sensitive” to the correct application!
Light Watch 4-193: No images of sensors but some mood images from site in Anji today where works are in full progress of installing the electrical infrastructure…
Gravity
Somewhere between Hangzhou and Anji, 11th November 2013
Killing time in the back of my client’s car on the way to the project site; I am in China these few days and on my way to a destination resort we are working on. The thing with these projects is that it really is a destination. Not just a flight to a big city and then a short taxi ride to your hotel, no I left yesterday (Sunday) afternoon to arrive Shanghai late in the evening, then transferred to a car for a one hour ride to our night time stop near Honqiao station. This morning we got up early to take the speed train to Hangzhou where the client picked us up for another 1-2 hour drive, gradually leaving the asphalted roads into off-road pathways into the bamboo forests of Anji where our project is located. That’s the thing with some of our projects, beautiful locations, fantastic scenery, but a real challenge to reach there…guess part and parcel of the business we are in. If only we could transplant our self in time…
Speaking of which, over the weekend I went to see the movie Gravity, the space drama with George Clooney and Sandra Bullock. Though I am not a big fan of SB, I went to see the movie after having seen the Alessandro Gobetti presentation at PDC in Copenhagen on how they actually created these visual effects (vfx). Allessandro was one of the vfx people working on the movie (yes his name appeared duly on the movies credit roll). I had found it amazing to see how they create simulations of actual lighting effects with realistic shots of the actors and spaceships circling around the earth. Daylight (but not like we know it on earth), shadows, reflections, all created by some uncanny computer programs! Besides the fact that the movie is really good, visual lighting effects were truly amazing. It’s a totally different aspect of our lighting design profession. I understand that they created the movie “ backwards” doing the post production lighting effects first, then worked it back into the movie…in a way I am doing my lighting design creation in a similar way…I work on the mood and effects I want to achieve first, then work backwards to see how it can be achieved by light fittings….
Light Watch 4-192: Gravity movie shots…
PS: I am staying over in a hotel with limited to no internet and no wireless in the room, will try upload in the lobby, if not tomorrow… 🙁 (pics may have to follow later)
Dim and dimmer
Singapore, 8th November 2013
An interesting day today with two different happenings with opposite levels of frustration. One could be called dim and dimmer the other probably dumb and dumber.
To start with the latter; it does not happen often but today I was close to inserting a disclaimer on our design documents because I do not agree with the final design solution. This has come about because of a disagreement on the lighting design between us as lighting designers and the architect as the building designer. We have a fundamental difference of approach in regards of the façade lighting but because the architects are “world renowned”, the client has bowed to pressure and asked us to follow the architects design direction. We have registered our concern and demonstrated to the client that the architect’s solution will not work well compared to our proposal which they duly noted, but still after deliberation (architect pressure, surely), requested us to work with the architects solution even if less good and more expensive! So we have decided to try make the best of it but the point is will we end up being the clown, because if the lighting scheme fails, our name will still be related to the project; dumb and dumber?
In the afternoon I again got some cowboys through the door this time promoting the latest in dimmable LED driver technology; really interesting and honestly very promising (up to 0.1% dimming claimed…really!). Reputable and experienced manufacturers, no doubt, but again the notion that sales are crucial for success was omnipresent in the presentation. As always all the advantages and benefits were rattled of (good stuff) but we had to continuously probe the rep about the things that really worry us, such as the compatibility of the components, inter brand testing, the real performance figures, warranty, etc. With dimming being one of the biggest issues in LED technology, you can imagine our interest in flicker and noise free dimming technology that apparently can work with any protocol whether analogue, digital, dali or dmx driven all the way down to zero with a smoothness known from the good old days; dim and dimmer?
Have a great weekend!
Light Watch 4-191: As we talk about dimming, controls come in different disguises; from the simple, single switch to the multiple scene setter or even Ipad driven remote controls…of course all LED compatible 🙂
Different ways to skin a cat
Singapore, 7th November 2013
I am still struggling with my jetlag as I caught a cold on top of it, which makes me feel very tired and feverish. But the show goes on as they say so little let up as many clients want to wrap up projects or project stages before the end of the year so it will be a last sprint to complete lots of demands till Xmas…
In lighting there is not one solution to a lighting problem. In fact there are many and you can’t really say if one solution is better than the other. Much depends on the execution and above all personal preference and style. As lighting designers we all develop our own style and approach to lighting, I know I have my own ways, but that does not mean I enforce that on my staff to follow, on the contrary. I encourage design initiative plus the fact that with my progressing “age” I may have rusted myself in a comfortable approach, while a new a fresh approach may very well work as good or better. I do note that while I encourage creative lighting solutions that even maybe off the beaten path, I do know what works and what not and that I guess is the experience that allows assessing the various ways that one can skin a cat as they say.
Today’s generation may have a totally different view on what is trendy and what not, so I do need to stay open to new ideas. In my early days when I was learning the trade I had the fortunate situation to be surrounded by many talented lighting designers and once my boss allowed me to work on my own lighting designs I would consult these experts to understand what they felt was the best approach or solution. Then, with several different lighting design approaches I would evaluate what each of them was recommending and would pick the parts that were appealing to me most. I guess that is how I over the years developed my lighting design style if you can call it that way.
Light Watch 4-190: Today we had to make a decision on how to light a wall…simple you would say, but you would be surprised how many different ways you could approach it…you will note that specifically material finishes and function have a great impact on the way to approach it…
Jetlag…
Singapore, 6th November 2013
For some reason I suffer more from jetlag when I fly from west to east (back from Europe) then the other way around. The last few nights I have had trouble sleeping waking up wide awake only an hour or so into my sleep. I generally try to get into the day-night pattern straight away. It works quite well the other way around as in the evening you are really tired being “biologically” 6 or 7 hours ahead. The draw back is generally that you wake up early, but then to me that is fine as I go do my early morning walk. But now being back in Singapore my biological clock, lacks 6-7 hours behind so when I go to bed (even around midnight) I somehow wake up shortly after. This surely must be jetlag…Where is my magic blue light when you need it 🙂
Several airlines now have a dynamic lighting systems (LED of course) to add or compensate lighting levels depending time of the day or outside brightness. I must say so far mostly on business and first class. The poor souls in coach/ economy class still have to suffer with rude changes in lighting levels as often there is no soft fade-dimmer option, just on-off. It seems the key though is drinking water a lot and sleeping as much as you can. As I am blessed being able to sleep anywhere, even standing up if necessary, ( 🙂 ), I generally manage some sleep even if I fly economy. Of course flying business with a flat-bed does help a lot, compared with a fold up stress seat in economy, often with some crying babies one or two rows away from you…
Even the airlines inflight magazines seem to jump on the jetlag combat wagon, with several products on sale claiming reduction of jetlag; a light mask being one of them. I don’t know, but to me the more natural the likelier it will have success. In other words make sure the lighting environment is as natural (in quality) as possible and programmed to simulate as close as possible circadian rhythms to balance your body during long haul flights over different time zones.
Light Watch 4-189: I am not totally sure about colours as available in the new 787 Dreamliner (I have not flown the plane yet), but soft transitions from warm to cool light intensities should help…
Back to earth
Singapore, 5th November 2013
After a long flight I am back in the Singapore office for a few days before heading off again to China and other…
Back from a high in Copenhagen with little sleep, it was back to work and back to earth with many project issues to resolve…and yes the first LED cowboys already in the office 🙂 . Following my presentation at PLDC last week, I received many compliments and most of all acknowledgements from the industry on how much I had hit the hammer on the nail and how much this needed to be said in public. And true to my story I continued where I left today sharing my frustration with cowboys who came to visit us today. The sad thing is that they are mostly ignorant and mean well. A LED lighting demo with varying colour consistency was acknowledged as a “China made” product, but when I started probing about binning quality I was met with a troubled look and a reply that they would check with HQ and revert back to me…
And that is really a representation of what’s going on at the moment. Manufacturers and suppliers (by Czars and my Cowboys) are so desperately looking for sales and getting a slice of the LED market that they come to us with products that are either half-baked or cheap alternatives simply (I believe) because they need the sale and somehow most of the time they believe they have to win on price rather than quality. Even reputable manufacturers take these shortcuts (and probably need to) to keep sales going to finance the huge costs of LED development…I sincerely hope that they will see us as partners and involve us in the process rather than “using” us as means to a sale.
Light Watch 4-188: As I returned to Singapore I read that the response to the lighting incentive scheme as available for buildings in key parts of the city skyline, was minimal and very lacklustre over the past years with only few takers. The scheme encourages building owners to light up their building in return for an incentive in the form of additional GFA or cash grant up to a maximum of $500,000. Since 2006 when the scheme came into being only 12 applicants were approved of which only with a cash grant. Many buildings still remain poorly lit and of those that were lit, it was felt that the building was over lit. Perhaps the scheme did not achieve its intended purpose…
PLDC 2013 Day 3
Copenhagen, 2nd November 2013
The last day started with a low hanging fog, probably in line with how many people felt the day after last night’s events…thanks to Tuborg (Denmark’s home brewed beer) free beer was distributed throughout the city to celebrate the coming of Christmas. I am not sure how this free beer night tradition came in existence…will need to Google this 🙂 I heard the Xicato party went pretty wild with some sort of paintball fight, perhaps someone can comment and sent some pictures!
This morning’s keynote address was very inspirational and was delivered by James Carpenter, renowned as an architect and artist specifically through his use of glass as a medium of expression. The way he has used the translucency as well as the reflective properties of glass in his creations gave me very much inspiration. I then proceeded to the IGuzzini lounge to do my overdue 15 second Instagram speech (please like me J ) as well as an interview about my thoughts in relation to lighting in general and PLDC more specifically. I believe these will be made available on the IGuzzini website. A space that I really wanted to visit since day one was the experience centre on level one, where real life lighting experiments could be experienced comparing conventional and LED lighting technology. Very educational…seeing is believing!
One of the other presentations I have to mention of today has to be the one from Alexander Rieck from LAVA architects. I have seen him on action several times over the last few years and time and again I am inspired by his office vision of the future. While I do like to hear the thoughts and experiences of my colleagues in the industry I am even more intrigued and inspired by “outsiders” vision on lighting and sustainability. Somehow they have a fresh and “uncompromised” view. His “schnitzel” approach was enlightening…
PLDC 2013 came to a glorious end with a gala night in which awards were presented to outstanding projects and contributions in lighting. At the end of the glorious night Joachim Ritter announced the next PLDC to be in Rome in 2015! Till then and thanks for great event!
Light Watch 4-187: Impressions from day 3 starting with the early morning fog…to the gala dinner and the PLDC Rome 2015 announcement!
PLDC Day 2
Copenhagen, 1st November 2013
Day 2 started with the Danish minister for climate, energy and building giving a passionate key note opening address about the importance of lighting in the overall country master planning for a sustainable living environment. I followed that by attending the presentation about redefining the working relationship between lighting designer and LED manufacturer, a subject close to my heart with parallels to my own presentation later in the day. The verbal duel between the two presenters representing the opposing parties was well done providing us a snapshot of the issues we are all dealing with. Clear from this and many other presentations (including mine!) is that there is crying need for LED manufacturers and lighting designers to meet on equal footing and share knowledge to come to a better partnership. Let’s face it in the end the client we face as lighting designers are also ultimately the manufacturers client, hence the need for transparency and honesty in cooperation is vital.
Over the day there were presentations in regards to health showing how lighting research is making so much headway in improving and developing concepts for human well-being. The findings and advances made are becoming gradually a must know for us as lighting designers where we do not just design for spaces but also for the people’s well-being. Presentations about LED lighting research in museums in Italy and the newly opened Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam proved great attractions.
The afternoon keynote session was one of an unexpected and spectacular fashion. The presenter being a special visual lighting effects specialist who had been involved in the creation of movies such as Gravity, Transformers and Avatar! His expose about how lighting effects are put together was fascinating.
And then it was my turn…I managed to get more than 3 people in the room ( J ), in actual fact the room was Practically full for which I was really grateful.it is always more rewarding to speak in front of a full house. The reactions afterwards were really positive with surprisingly many manufacturers approaching me afterwards acknowledging that the LED Cowboys do exist and we do need to do something about it! Thanks so much, that is really all I wanted to achieve…the acknowledgement and the commitment to do something about it. It remains to be seen how it will pan out, but the expressed desire was certainly hopeful
The night ended for a dilemma for many with an abundance of choices between parties being offered by Xicato, Louis Poulsen, Martin Architectural and IGuzzini. I ended up in the last one which provided a night time boat tour through the harbour culminating in a cosy dinner at a waterside restaurant. Another great day!
Light Watch 4-186: Impressions from day 2 starting with an early morning ray of light…
PLDC 2013 – Day 1
Copenhagen, 31st October 2013
It is with create expectation that I started the day, excited to listen to interesting lighting stories, excited to interact with colleagues and friends in the industry. Days like this start at breakfast and end generally with a drink late at night with in between the navigation between the various presentations that catch your personal interest. I have been told that more than 1400 participants have registered for this year, an increase of about 200 on the 1200 that attended PLDC in Madrid. I am not sure what the actual proportion of lighting designers is, but I would venture that it is probably one third, the rest being from the manufacturer industry and their country representatives including some design related participants with a keen interest in lighting such as architects.
In the format each half of the day is started with a keynote address generally from a non-lighting design background. Today’s morning proceedings were started Sahel Al Hiyari Architects from Jordania, leading us through middle-eastern architecture where light and the cultural context play a very important role. I followed that with a presentation about the use of colour in lighting design and specifically why blue has been so dominant also seen in the light on how we see and how the blue spectrum has different impacts on our human ways of perception and reaction. Other presentations touched on the impact of culture and climate on the way we design and select our lighting systems. The afternoon sessions started off with an outsider’s view on lighting by artist Mischa Kuball who uses light as a medium in his public projects. This was followed by the ever entertaining Emrah Baki who lead us through 19 short stories about light and lighting, myths, dreams and what we think we know about lighting.
Presentations very much depend on the person delivering the story and the entertainment and education level mostly depends on the ability of the presenter to captivate his or her audience. As always the content of the presentations was good, but the quality of the deliveries was a mixed bag of everything. With the get together night sponsored by XAL topping out the day, it was a very good first day and personally I look forward to tomorrow when I will deliver my presentation about the LED Cowboys!
Light Watch 4-185: Impressions from day 1…
PS: For those interested my book is available at the reception desk (see below 🙂 )
PLDC pre-program day
Copenhagen, 30th October 2013
PLDC is on us! I arrived this morning in Copenhagen under a partly sunny sky, which was quite a nice change from the gale force winds we had over Europe on Monday. Wind blasts up to 12 Beaufort were measured which not surprisingly uprooted trees and caused significant damages throughout Europe, Denmark included. I am checked in at the venue hotel (Bella Sky) which is linked to the Bella Conference Centre where the conference and events will be held over the next few days. One of the exhibition halls is converted in a manufacturers display area including lounges and F&B areas and will be occupied by all the sponsors of the event. Thanks to all of them! I guess the hall will become a meeting place where people meet in between the conferences.
In the afternoon I attended a reporting on the progress of the non-visual effects of lighting, a subject mostly unknown to many lighting designers let alone the general public. Light as we know by now has also a very strong biological effect on humans and understanding how light impacts on our biological clock, our health, prevention of sicknesses and overall well-being is becoming a science nearly as important as the visual effects of lighting. Certainly something to watch over the years to come, including how the LED lighting quality holds out, as initial feedback is not necessarily good!
Later on I joined one of the tours which brought us to Malmo (yes across to Sweden) where Johan Moritz led us around some of the city train stations and city squares which he supervised as the cities lighting designer in charge. It was amazing to see how much money and efforts including artworks were put into the fray to make Malmo definitely one of the leading cities when it comes to urban lighting planning. As Johan explained it was the greater Malmo image and attraction that was at stake rather than the individual lighting projects. If you spend a billion Kroner on a railway station, spending 2 million Kroner on art and lighting does not seem a lot. A great and enlightening tour. I really enjoyed having a peak in how a lighting designer makes a different in a cities master and lighting strategy planning!
When we returned it was time to join the crowd at the official warm up opening party and catch up with some friends and colleagues long (some not so long) not seen! I look forward to the next few days.
Light Watch 4-184: In sequence, snapshots from the building of the sponsor stands in the exhibition hall, Joachim Ritter introducing the participants to the a pre-conference on the non-visual effects of lighting and our tour to Malmo with pics from the lighting at Malmo Central station, Triangles Station and Hillie Station and finally the last but not least the opening party…
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