Light & tech

104 April 2010 FXmagazine.co.uk

Light & tech

FXmagazine.co.uk April 2010 105

2010 LIGHTINGDESIGN AWARDS

s lighting design has matured, certainconsultancies have inevitably developeda sort of recognisable stamp. Obviously it depends on the project and the brief –

substance always triumphs over style – but it issometimes possible to guess who might be behinda scheme. In the case of Inverse Lighting Design,however – whose director Bernhard Bstieler wasgiven the Lighting Designer of the Year award – I would defy anyone to guess that the two projects

featured here were the work of the same outfit. The low-budget installation for the East Central

Gallery in London’s Shoreditch is about as basic as you can get away with and will undoubtedly be a controversial choice even as a commendedscheme in the Special Projects category. At theother end of the scale, the Sound Club in Phuket,Thailand, winner of the international category, is anexemplary high-budget, high-tech scheme that is,literally, utterly in tune with its surroundings.

AA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V Y W X Y Z

WORDS: JILL ENTWISTLEf

EXTREMES OF TREATMENT, BUDGET AND TIMESCALE MAKEFOR TWO VERY DIFFERENT RESULTS FROM THE SAME TEAM

East Central Gallery,Shoreditch, LondonCommended: Special projects category(sponsored by Cooper Lighting)Lighting design: Inverse Lighting Design,Dow Jones Architects for client Yoram EscholArchitect: Dow Jones Architects

Designed for the gallery’s opening andinaugural exhibition, this unorthodox andrudimentary scheme was a response to abrutally simple interior – bare concreteceilings, black-stained wooden floors andwhite walls – in a low budget and tightturnround. From initial meeting with thearchitect to gallery opening, there were justtwo weeks to design and install the lighting.

An off-the-shelf solution was the onlyfeasible option in the time and, afterconsidering traditional possibilities, Inverseand Dow Jones elected to go with visiblewiring and bare lampholders. Inversedesigned a scheme of meandering wires as aprimitive electric circuit board to bring light –in the form of hanging Par 20 halogen lamps– to the artwork locations. A combination of3mm steel rods, metal straps and metal fixingplates with knuckle joints were used to attachthe lamps and direct the light. Judges’ verdict: ‘A great example of low-fiinventiveness – good lighting design isn’t allabout big budgets.’

Sound Club, Phuket, ThailandWinner: International category (sponsored by Oldham Lighting)Lighting design: Inverse Lighting DesignInterior design: Orbit Design, in associationwith BedSupperclub, both of BangkokSuppliers: Neowave Technology, Neo-Neon, L+E, Dynamic Source, Dynalite (now Philips Dynalite)

Music, light and space are seamlesslyintegrated in this upmarket nightclub whereLEDs and cold cathode respond to thesinuous lines and organic shapes of theinterior, as well as, crucially, the music itself.

Key features are the tunnel-like corridor to the dance floor and the seating pods. Thecorridor has concealed lighting in verticalslots along its length. As the visitor movesthrough the space, the changing intensity andmovement of light (addressable 70mmsections of blue LEDs, each of which acts likea pixel) creates the perception that the spaceis breathing and the sound wave is comingtowards them.

The seating pods have concealed lightsalong the base which create a floating effect.Cold cathode outlines the curved steps andcontinuous blue LEDs glow to the inside,revealing the form and shape of the seats. Aglowing acrylic screen at the top outlines the‘ear’ shape of the seating. The pod lighting isalso linked to the music: the low-level lightsrespond to the bass, while the glowing lightsat the top respond to high tones.Judges’ verdict: ‘The stunning lighting is key to creating an immersive interior’.

Jill Entwistle is a freelance writerwho specialises in lightingtechnology

Lighting for leisureBME (British Music Experience), O2, LondonLighting design: David Atkinson Lighting DesignSponsored by Lutron

Special projectsWestern Bandstand, BrightonLighting design: Urban ProjectsSponsored by Cooper Lighting

Low carbonCentre of the Cell, Whitechapel, LondonLighting design: David Atkinson Lighting DesignSponsored by Etap

Public buildingsPrivate residence, Westminster, LondonLighting design: Isometrix Lighting and DesignSponsored by Crestron

RetailCabot Circus, BristolLighting design: Pinniger and PartnersSponsored by Reggiani

WorkplaceAddleshaw Goddard, Milton Gate, LondonLighting design: Chapman BathurstSponsored by Wila Lighting

InternationalSound Club, Phuket, ThailandLighting design: Inverse Lighting DesignSponsored by Oldham Lighting

PRODUCT INNOVATION :

Light sources and controlsHarvard Engineering CoolLED high-power LED driverSponsored by Ex-Or

External luminairesPhilips ColorReach Powercore high-performancearchitectural RGB LED floodlight

Interior luminairesConcord Stadium EVO LED accent fitting

For more information on all winners and runners-up, go to www.lightingawards.com

Lighting Design Awards 2010:WinnersLIGHTING DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

Bernhard Bstieler, Inverse Lighting Design (London and Bangkok)Sponsored by DW Windsor

PROJECTS:

ExteriorDuke of York Headquarters, Chelsea, LondonLighting design: DPA Lighting ConsultantsSponsored by Philips Lighting

HeritageRipon Cathedral, NorthYorkshireLighting design: Light + Design AssociatesSponsored by Concord

Hotels and restaurantsSnog Soho, LondonArchitecture and lighting design: Cinimod StudioSponsored by Philips Dynalite

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