Bright lights

Generating ideas and creating a platform for debate through discussing the use of past projects was a tactic for many of the speakers. Lighting designer, Beau McClellan summed up the exhibition: “The show has provided all of the designers the opportunity to get together and bash out some crazy ideas. It’s been a bit like a jamming session for lighting designers.”

Sustainability was an important theme with many of the speakers bringing personal experiences into their presentations. In the first seminar, Rogier van der Heide discussed the positive effects his eco-friendly lighting design for the Louis Vuitton store in Hong Kong had. He said: “The brand now saves 80 per cent in energy and 70 per cent in maintenance costs due to the lighting scheme.” With the frequent references to the change to Dubai’s night sky, Nick Hoggett of DPA Lighting stressed the responsibility lighting designers have.

He said: “As designers a huge amount of accountability lies with us. Lighting is about the right light, in the right place, at the right time.” Alison Ritter, director general of Professional Lighting Designers’ Association agreed that locally there is a greater opportunity to be well known for eco-responsible lighting design: “Dubai is a very special place, it is growing at an incredible pace and if constructed in the right manner can set a fine example to the world in terms of achieving not only sustainability but also a good quality of light.”

Subtlety was also emphasised by designers agreeing that Dubai provides the perfect platform from which to provide inspiration to other cities and designers. In his speech, ‘Towers of Light’, Mark Major used Sir Norman Foster’s Swiss Re (Gherkin) building in London as an example of how a large scale structure can be lit subtly for maximum results.

He also pointed out the varied ways in which lighting can be changed by using his current project in Moscow as an example of a building which can be both understated yet still attention grabbing. The restrained theme continued from the seminar hall onto the stands with many exhibitors choosing to display fewer products in order to show the lights to their best advantage. Belight, Al Aqili, was one such stand. Rudie Hoess, general manager said: “We have deliberately displayed fewer lights in order for each one to be seen in its own space.”

The most prominant display at the show was by Beau McClellan. His 5 x 6.5m structure, ‘Reflections’ featured 280 hand ground crystals, suspended with 15km of cable. The sculpture which McClellan describes as, “an iconic, organic sculpture” took a week to install with segments collected from all over Europe. “I wanted to create a ‘wow’ piece that could also be eco-friendly which is why even when the LEDs are switched off it remains a sculpture in its own right. I created the piece specifically for the show so I would like to see it stay here in a public space so it can be enjoyed by everyone.”

Regional and international exhibitors used the fair to showcase their latest projects. NeoPack launched its 102 watt white LED for outdoor use. The 102 watt Street Light features a constant temperature of under 55 degrees and can be adapted for use for floodlit areas and wall washing. The show proved integrated lighting is becoming more widely available with the launch of a number of products.

LEAX launched the SceneMaster 8000, a programmable integrated lighting system which allows up to 255 different scenes as well as curtain and blind control and Telling Electronic Company, based in China launched its own light remote control switch.

For the home, Al Aqili showcased the Quaser crystal droplet light featuring LED technology. Said Hoess: “This stunning light caught the attention of many people and is a fine example of how technology can be fused with lighting.”