Surface Design Show theme announced
(UK) - Focusing on sustainability, the chosen theme for the 2020 event is 'Close to Home'.
The theme will look beyond aesthetics and into manufacturers’ impact on the environment, from the processes used in mining or manufacture, through to the carbon footprint sustained during sales and distribution.
Designing with a conscience will also be examined, from reusing waste materials to looking at what happens at the end of a product’s life cycle. This topic is not only highlighted throughout the extensive talks programme but is also a focus within Surface Spotlight Live.
As well as 170 exhibitors, the show features a packed programme of 30 presentations from 50 expert speakers and a number of forward-thinking exhibition areas, including New Talent and Surface Spotlight Live. Now in its fifteenth year, the show is a must-visit for architects, designers and specifiers looking for material inspiration from the UK and around the world.
Surface Spotlight Live features innovative and tactile materials for visitors to touch and feel, providing a hands on experience for architects and designers. Trend expert Sally Angharad will be showcasing a selection of innovative and exciting materials under the theme; ‘Close to Home.’ Colour Hive will return to present a dedicated materials installation, Materials Edit, featuring one of a kind objects and materials.
On the first evening of the show, the Opening Night Debate will take place, hosted by RIBA Journal’s Executive Editor Eleanor Young. Reinventing itself for the 2020 edition of the show, the panel will be interviewed by Young on the topical subject ‘Climate Emergency: Three winning ways to make a project sustainable’. The panel features the winner and two finalists from the RIBA Stirling Prize Shortlist 2019.
The lively PechaKucha evening will be hosted by Chris Dyson of Chris Dyson Architects on 12 February from 6:30 – 8pm. Speakers include: Daniel Campbell, Director at Stiff + Trevillion Architects; Luke Tozer, Director at Pitman Tozer Architects; Joe Morris, Founding Director of Morris+Company; Richard Wilson RA, a renowned sculptor internationally celebrated for his interventions in architectural space; Jerry Tate, Partner at Tate Harmer; Faye Davies, Principal at Burrell Foley Fischer; and Stella Ioannou, Director of Lacuna.
Stone Gallery also returns for 2020 accompanied by the Stone Knowledge Hub, supported by the leading industry body Stone Federation GB, which will form a focal point for the event where architects and designers can interact with, and learn more about, specifying natural stone.
Award-winning practice Squire and Partners has created a Stone Tapestry, a curated collection of inspiring stones from around the world exploring innovative textures, light, colour and pattern. Here, leading manufacturers will demonstrate the relationship between light and surfaces, as well as showcasing the latest architectural lighting products and innovations in lighting technology.
As well as established brands, Surface Design Show is dedicated to supporting up-and-coming designers in the materials sector with its New Talent section.
This year's shortlist for The Surface Design Awards is comprised of 39 projects across fourteen categories from retail and public buildings to commercial projects and housing, including new categories in public realm and affordable housing for 2020.
Demonstrating the truly international reach of the awards, projects on the shortlist spanned thirteen countries from 34 different organisations with emerging practices represented, as well as established firms. The Award’s will take place on 13 February during the show.
Liquileds wins soft-filament lawsuit
(Taiwan) – Legal dispute over distribution rights ends with patent lawsuit win for lamp manufacturer.
The flexible LED filaments from Liquileds have firmly established themselves in the market since they were introduced at the 2016 Light + Building show in Frankfurt.
The new concept in LED filament technology immediately attracted many imitators, however the judgement announced on 2 December 2019 by Mannheim Regional Court, ruled in favour of Liquileds.
The primary objective of the lawsuit was to defend the existing intellectual property rights, to disseminate the latest technologies and to gain the attention and appreciation of other market participants.
Lightovation 2020 breaks attendance records
(US) - Lightovation welcomes more customers and new exhibitors at January's edition at Dallas Market Centre. The January event saw an increase in attendance by retail decision makers over last year, including a 29% increase in stores attending for the first time.
During the five-day event, buyers representing leading retail showrooms from all 50 states, Mexico and eight provinces in Canada reviewed a comprehensive collection of new products including the latest designs and technology across more than 1m sqft dedicated to lighting.
New showrooms included Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting, Acuity Brands, Accord Lighting, Beacon Lighting, Artika, Kanova & Co. and Viz Glass. Expansions were unveiled from Sonneman, Terracotta Designs, Ulextra, and DALS Lighting, which also relocated to an atrium showroom nearly tripling the company’s size at Lightovation.
“The January 2020 edition of Lightovation was a success thanks to the ongoing commitment of our exhibitors and the enthusiasm of attendees,” said Cindy Morris, President and CEO of Dallas Market Centre.
“It’s critically important to welcome new buyers to the show, and we were thrilled with the number of first-time attendees who joined loyal buyers to see thousands of new products plus inspiring events and the legendary Dallas showroom parties and nightlife.”
Josh Weiss, EVP of Tech lighting said: “Once again, Lightovation provided us with the ideal opportunity to connect with our reps and customers. We couldn’t be more thrilled by the reception of our 2020 products. Lightovation finished just as well as it started as Sean Lavin, our Chief Design Officer, took home the ARTS Award for Product Designer of the Year."
Sonneman was one of two Lightovation winners of Dallas Market Centre’s Visual Presentation Awards, which honour exceptional exhibitor displays on each floor. The manufacturer earned the award for the Trade Mart’s fourth floor, while the third floor award went to DALS.
Headlining the market events were keynotes inside The SMART Centre, powered by Dallas Market Centre and the American Lighting Association (ALA). The education portion of Lightovation kicked-off with David Rendall delivering two presentation on uniqueness and differentiation. Leslie Carothers returned for digital strategy sessions; Peter Romaniello delivered technical presentations; and interior designer Glen Boudreaux held a session on transparency and ethics.
On Friday evening, the 31st Annual ARTS Awards took place to a capacity crowd, awarding the home industry’s highest honour across more than 20 categories including Lighting Showroom awards to Chloe Winston Lighting Design (East/Atlantic Region), Idlewood Electric Supply (Midwest/Southwest Region), and Western Montana Lighting (West Region); the Green Award to Currey & Co.; and lighting manufacturing awards to Visual Comfort & Co. (for lamps) and Currey & Co. (for lighting fixtures).
With a new night on Thursday evening, the most notable networking opportunity was the all-industry Lighting After Dark party, which featured a sci-fi theme and transformed the Chaparral Room of the Sheraton Dallas Hotel for hundreds of party-goers.
International Design Plus winners announced
(Germany) - Winners of the International Design Plus competition powered by Light + Building have been determined.
The jury awards innovative products that meet the highest standards of design, usability, sustainability and technical quality; 126 companies from 24 countries took part in the competition with a total of 177 products entered. Design Plus is one of the most important design awards in Germany.
A total of 34 products received a Design Plus Award which included new types of lights, self-illuminating glass, a wall box for charging electric cars and invisible sockets. All award-winning products will be shown during Light + Building , held from March 8 - 13, 2020 in Frankfurt am Main in the Design Plus special show in Hall 1.2.
An independent jury of experts assessed the large number of submitted products from the fields of lighting and building technology in a meeting in mid-January. The jury members included:
- Sebastian Brink, Managing Director, Carl Prediger GmbH & Co. KG
- Stefan Hillenmayer, Director ID Realization, designaffairs GmbH
- Oliver Jahn, editor-in-chief, AD Architectural Digest
- Julia Knaak, architect, Executive Group Sauerbruch Hutton
- Sandra Rohlf, lighting design project manager, shadow group
Decorative lighting products to be awarded included: Discovery Vertical 140 by Artemide Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Illan by Luceplan srl, Trypta also by Luceplan, BREAK-IT by OLIGO Lichttechnik GmbH, Pebbles by BOMMA, BIG ONE by Brokis s.r.o, BLOP by Bruck GmBH & Co. KG, PIEGA by DGA SRL, Lightglass - selbstleuchtendes Glas by Glass Technology GmbH, Tracker by Intra lighting d.o.o, giro Edition by mawa design - Licht - und Wohnideen and GORDON by TOOY.
The young talent competition was won by three versatile lighting objects. In addition, a switch series made of concrete is mentioned, which creates a tactile experience that meets the criteria of universal design.
Design Shanghai 2020 fair postponed
(China) - Due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus in China, Design Shanghai has postponed March event to end of May.
The organisers of Design Shanghai have made this decision in consultation with government and local authorities in China, that the safety and welfare of Design Shanghai’s customers, exhibitors and staff is of the utmost importance and the first priority.
“After careful consideration and advice, we have made the difficult decision to postpone Design Shanghai to ensure the welfare and safety of visitors to our show, our exhibitors and our team," says Zhuo Tan, Director of Design Shanghai. "We have confirmed new dates in the same venue with the same layout so as not to compromise the quality and success of the fair and we appreciate the show of support that we have received from the design community and our partners during this time."
Design Shanghai 2020 will now take place from 26-29 May 2020 at the Shanghai World Expo and Exhibition Convention Centre.
Halma Suspension - Castro Lighting
Halma Collection was designed to celebrate the fusion of noble materials as well as simple and delicate geometry.
Made with a structure of brass involved by clear crystal glass, this design fuses the two materials in an effortless and original manner. An extremely versatile fixture with an exclusive beauty and elegance.
Sonneman launches largest range yet
(US) - Sonneman expands showroom to preview largest product launch.
Known for exemplifying the best in modern design, Sonneman welcomed the new decade with its largest product launch since the company’s re-founding in 2003. With 80 new designs, the launch embodies its dedication to innovation, quality, and manufacturing of minimalist, lighting that has characterised the brand for the last seventeen years.
“By integrating ever-advancing technology with timeless modern principles of form and function, we continue to innovate and create modern designs to illuminate spaces of many kinds,” said Robert Sonneman, Founder and Creative Director of Sonneman.
“Our team of talented architects, designers, and engineers provide a growing range of capabilities to address an increasing diversity of project requirements. Today, Sonneman uses the efficient illuminating technology of LEDs and new technologies to apply and control throughout our extensive and growing range of over 2,000 products.”
The new collection includes scalable decorative architectural lighting systems; expressive designs for the bathroom; outdoor offerings that connect the interior to the exterior of a space; as well as sculptural, architectural, and multi-form designs in floor, pendant, and ceiling mounted luminaires.
Deepening the brand’s commitment to the Dallas Market Centre, Sonneman recently added 3,000sqft, broadening its showroom footprint in advance of the 2020 spring product introduction at Lightovation where it launched 180 new designs.
All 2020 introductions will be available through the Dallas Market Centre the New York Design Centre, and approximately 2,000 retailers throughout the US and Canada.
Flos Bulbo57 UK launch
(UK) - Atrium launches Bulbo57 with Flos during evening event in London.
The newly re-edited Bulbo57 was officially launched in the UK by Giovanna Castiglioni at an evening event with Flos on 30 January at Atrium’s showroom in London.
Giovanna Castiglioni is the youngest daughter of the late Italian lighting designer, Achille Castiglioni. During the evening’s presentation, Castiglioni not only discussed the new Bulbo57, but also gave an inspiring overview of some of her father’s most well know lamp designs.
The Bulbo57 was first designed by Achille and his brothers Livio and Pier Giacomo, as the Bulbo for an installation at the XI Triennale in Milan in 1957.
“A long time ago, it was just an experiment with a bulb, but today it’s amazing. Usually, with lamps you have a structure or components, but with the Bulbo, when you switch it off, it disappears, ”explained Castiglioni. “This was part of the design brief for my father, to design something that when it’s off you cannot see it. He loved to make something that disappears in a space.”
“For my father, the shape wasn’t always as important, it was more about the function of it. This is why he specifically designed different shapes for different functions and there is a unique style between the different lamps.”
The simplistic nature of the first version of the Bulbo proved hazardous for current health and safety standards, which was one of the main reasons it was selected by Flos to be modernised.
The new lamp is made of blown borosilicate glass with shock proof resistance. The LED filament is held in position by a molybdenum structure incorporated in a thin borosilicate glass tube, which is also used to extract the air to prevent the build up of condensation.
The light temperature of 2200K was chosen to replicate the original Tungsten warmth of the original Bulbo.
Giovanna continues to promote her father’s design legacy as requested by her late mother. She is the curator of the Studio Museum of Achille Castiglioni and is the Vice President and General Secretary of the Achille Castiglioni Foundation.
“For me, it’s not important that he was a master of Italian design, I think it’s important to give good energy to people and designers now, young people of today. And I can do that, because I’m not a designer – there’s no compromise or pressure. I’m just the voice, the voice of Achille and the family, the foundation. Of course, I have a big responsibility when we re-design something with companies, but I’m happy when we have a good relationship with a company, it’s a smooth process. Especially if you believe in someone else, it makes for good teamwork.”
The Bulbo57 prototype was presented last year at Euroluce, and officially released in December 2019.
www.atrium.ltd.uk | flos.com | fondazioneachillecastiglioni.it
HBA announces formation of HBA EMEA
(UK) - Hospitality design firm HBA announces the formation of HBA EMEA which will see the firm’s London and Dubai studios joining together with the launch of Great Scotland Yard.
With specialist divisions including lighting, graphics and art curation, HBA EMEA will produce inspired, brand-strengthening design experiences that reflect a true sense of place.
The announcement coincides with the delivery of HBA EMEA’s first project, the newly opened Great Scotland Yard, a landmark development in London’s City of Westminster. Once the London’s Metropolitan Police headquarters, the listed building’s latest chapter is a 152-room boutique hotel, in which the stories of the building’s past unfold.
Tradition and history meet present-day luxury in the design of Great Scotland Yard. Transforming this historical space into a welcoming place for discerning travellers, HBA EMEA’s designers have expressed the individuality of Great Scotland Yard through a play of Edwardian-inspired hues and patterns and colours that relive the sophistication of the era with a flair of contemporary details.
HBA Partner David T’Kint said, “As interior architects we don’t just create spaces, but experiences that are inspired by the history, culture and locale of a destination.
Under the direction of David T’Kint, who brings over 15 years of hospitality design experience, HBA EMEA’s specialist divisions include Canvas, an integrated global art consultancy; Illuminate, an independent lighting consultancy providing innovative and creative lighting solutions, and Graphics, which provides a complete design service for branding and graphic design bringing hospitality brands to life.
Highlighting the firm’s dynamic approach to the ever-evolving market is HBA EMEA’s sub-brand Studio HBA. This young, energetic and versatile team are nimble in their approach to design, offering solutions for the growing sector of mid-market hospitality projects.
Equalizer - Ladies and Gentlemen Studio
The Equalizer collection is crafted from finely machined anodised aluminium fittings and paired with handblown glass globes by L&G Studio's close collaborator John Hogan, based in Seattle.
The glass is given a satin lustre that emits a soft velvety glow when illuminated. Additionally this collection offers the Chameleon colourway, a special glass effected developed by Hogan also. The subtle gradient creates a mysterious yet magical colour changing effect that shifts from sky blue to sunset pinks depending on surrounding light and vieweing angles.
The Equalizer series is designed with versatility in mind so it can be easily configured and customised in infinite ways depending on the context and needs of a project.
Ladies and Gentlemen Studio releases new series
(US) - Ladies and Gentlemen Studio has released its new lighting series, Equalizer.
When designing the series, Ladies and Gentlemen Studio looked at how lighting might be used to delineate space instead of walls or structure. With contemporary spaces becoming more open and free-flowing, there is still a need to define zones visually and functionally.
With this need in mind, the design duo imagined an expandable illuminated framework to respond to different interior conditions. Equalizer was created as a series of illuminated shapes connected by a lightweight vertical structure.
Comprised of a system of versatile modular fittings, they were able to create an array of configurations from simple pendants to custom screens that undulate through spaces like room dividers. This flexibility enables a high degree of spatial integration created in collaboration with clients.
The decorative lighting is carefully tailored to fit the space's character and functional needs - able to fall anywhere on the spectrum from an asymmetrical sculpture to a symmetrical repeating pattern.
The Equalizer collection is crafted from finely machined anodised aluminium fittings and paired with handblown glass globes by the studios close collaborator John Hogan, based in Seattle. The glass is given a satin luster that emits a soft velvety glow when illuminated.
The collection offers the Chameleon colour way, a special glass effect developed by Hogan. The subtle gradient creates a mysterious yet magical colour changing effect that shifts from sky blue to sunset pinks depending on surrounding light and viewing angle. It's a very special option that speaks to our obsession with material wonderment and the beauty of glass in general.
The Equalizer series is designed with versatility in mind, so it can be easily customised and configured based on the context and needs.
www.ladiesandgentlemenstudio.com
Arc - Alexander Joseph
Alexander Joseph introduces a new contemporary range of cordless lamps.
Adding to its permanent range, the first product to be introduced is called Arc.
The classic shape has been proportioned to be used in an office or study. Alexander Joseph has brought this traditional 100-year-old shape up-to-date with a contemporary, oversized body.
Arc’s sweeping oval lines give way to an angled summit. Finished in bronze, brass & polished silver with hundreds of shade colours and materials available.
The Arc shade is a 480mm rectangular empire, in a white douppion silk upon a brass base, and a putty douppion silk shade upon a bronze body. The lamps can also be customised ensuring they are unique.
