Month: August 2023

BBC Earth Experience is a unique and unforgettable audio-visual journey across the natural world and seven continents. Recently opened, this experience features breath-taking footage and music from the BBC Studios Natural History Unit television series Seven Worlds, One Planet, with bespoke narration by David Attenborough.

Created by MoonEye Productions UK Limited with architectural design by wooarchitects and contractor project management by ES Global, this 360-degree audio visual journey is projected on multiple screens using the latest digital screen technology. Located at the Daikin Centre, a purpose-built venue in London’s Earl’s Court, this immersive experience transforms the environment from the city and allows visitors to step into the heart of the natural world.

Michael Grubb Studio were appointed by wooarchitects to provide the design and delivery of the lighting scheme for the external landscape, façade, and internal exhibition areas. Due to the nature of the event, a key part of the brief was to focus on the sustainability which was one of the leading lighting principles.

To create a sustainable design, Michael Grubb Studio kept light levels minimal where possible and mitigated light pollution and glare to the surrounding areas. A unique factor of this project is that it is also designed to be modular so that the experience can be taken apart and reintroduced in a different area to save on any wastage. The studio incorporated modular, durable, and high-quality light fittings to meet the sustainability agenda.

Michael Grubb Studio worked closely with Fira Landscape Architects and Urban Design to ensure the correct positioning of fittings leading up to the venue, to highlight the key landscape and showcase the growth of plant life as visitors walk along the route.

As visitors approach the venue, the façade lighting highlights the word ‘experience’ to draw attention from West Brompton station and the walk from Emperor’s Place. The external main elements of the façade are created using uplights at 30-degree angles to the timber struts, and linear lighting which illuminates the underside of the canopy. This vertical lighting marries up with the vertical interior lighting design at the lockers and shopfront areas.

A minimal approach was taken to the interior gallery spaces, ensuring flexibility and simple control. DALI lighting control was used across the site to set levels for the transition between day and night. In the main gallery the only light source comes from the large AV screens, so it was important to introduce darker atmospheric lighting to the inside spaces so that the transition feels natural.

Kevin Owens, Founder of wooarchitects: “The lighting design for the BBC Earth Experience by Michael Grubb Studio was critical for enhancing the visitor experience of the location. A great deal of sensitivity had to be applied to help reflect the journey with its variety of moods; from anticipation upon the approach, to reflection and wonder at the exhibition narrative. The illumination of the building’s façade wording was one of our core design concepts providing a focal point which can be seen in the surrounding areas, acting as a beacon, reinforcing a sense of place for the meanwhile development.”

Mike Cascarino, Head of London Studio of Michael Grubb Studio: “The Studio was honoured to create a lighting scheme for such a renowned client and experience. The lighting design has helped contribute to the immersive nature of the experience through atmospheric light levels and has also helped meet the brief of providing a modular and sustainable design which can be adapted and reused.”

Project credits:

Client: MoonEye Productions UK Limited
Contractor: ES Global
Architects: wooarchitects
Landscape Architects: Fira Landscape Architecture and Urban Design
MEP and Engineering Consultants: Griffiths Evans
Lighting Design: Michael Grubb Studio
Photographer: Mike Massaro

The eFIXX 30 under 30 awards, sponsored by Luceco Group, has completed its second year awarding the next generation of successful electrical contractors, who have made significant contributions to the industry.

One company in particular found incredible success at the awards; Dale Hunter, Founder of A10 Electrical Solutions, was awarded as a 30 under 30 winner in the first year of the awards. This year, he nominated two of his own team, Archie Murton and Leonard Radley, who incredibly, have both gone on to receive the accolade for 2023.

The two winners share what being an award recipient means to them and how it has raised the profile of A10 Electrical Solutions. Archie and Leonard share how they started their journeys at A10 Electrical Solutions, and how they felt being nominated by Dale for this award.

Archie said: “At the Southgate College open day I was approached by the team handling electrical installations and they convinced me to enrol in their level 2 course. I knew a friend of Dale’s who had taken me on a domestic re-wire job where I was fortunate enough to meet Dale. Since then, I have been able to learn a great deal from them and expand my love and knowledge of the electrical industry.

“When I first learned about my nomination for the award, I had no idea that it was Dale who had put me forward. I felt incredibly grateful and excited to be recognised for the hard work I put into my industry. As I watched the award announcements, I was filled with shock and amazement. Being one of the 30 recipients was truly an honour.”

Leonard added: “I have been an electrician for 10 years. Once I finished my apprenticeship, my previous company decided to keep me on, and I stay with them until 2021, which is when I join A10 Electrical Solutions. I knew Dale way before he opened his company as we both started in college together and I’ve  helped him with a couple of jobs before A10 Electrical Solutions was developed, so I decided to leave my previous company to help Dale out with expanding his company.

“I was very surprised to be nominated by Dale and to even win it was even more surprising. I am very happy to win the award and I feel privileged.”

The winners share how proud sponsors of the awards, Luceco Group, add support and credibility to the programme. Archie said: “The support of a respected manufacturer like Luceco Group makes a significant difference in how the awards are perceived and valued by participants and the wider community. It’s always beneficial to have reputable organisations and individuals endorsing and supporting initiatives to give them more prestige.”

Leonard adds: “The support of Luceco Group will be very beneficial to myself and A10 Electrical Solutions by attracting more customers and letting them know they can trust and rely on us.”

Dale was honoured to nominate members of his team for this award after experiencing first-hand how the 30 under 30 awards benefitted his electrical career. Dale said: “A10 Electrical has gone from strength to strength since winning the award last year. The awards have allowed us to engage in partnerships with Luceco Group, which gives us the incredible benefit of receiving products and expert answers from our contacts more quickly, improving our efficiency and turnaround.

“We have received more attention on social media, increasing business and supporting our growth. We have started a training course and we have two new engineers starting with us soon, which is very exciting!

“I am so proud of Archie and Leonard; they are assets to the company and do incredible work, which I wanted them to be recognised for, both to show my appreciation and give them more opportunities. It was such a nice surprise that they both went on to win! I will be nominating more people for next year’s awards, and hopefully we will have a third year of winners here at A10 Electrical Solutions!” We are all looking forward to attending the winner’s event in September.

This stunning home in north London underwent a refurbishment to create a gorgeous extension which could be used as a flexible, multi-use space. Award-winning architects Fraher & Findlay appointed MS Lighting Design to produce the lighting design for the extension.

The interiors were intended to be natural, using wood and textured plaster in many areas, in order to create a calming, uncluttered atmosphere. The approach to the lighting design was to integrate and conceal the lighting as much as possible, providing task lighting where needed while highlighting the beautiful architecture.

One of the key architectural features of the space was the sawtooth roof, which maximised the height for the client while allowing an easier planning application. In the main kitchen/dining space, a linear light source in a trough where the ceiling starts to rise provided a beautiful wash across the plastered ceiling, highlighting its finish and providing a large amount of ambient light into the space.

Over the dining table a stunning, perfectly balanced pendant provides a focal point and practical light without impeding the views out onto the garden. While suspended over the island, a pair of pendants focus light downwards onto the work surface. The lighting scheme had to account for changes in ceiling height, which was overcome with the clever use of multiple fixing points. Under cupboard lighting and mini plaster in spotlights complete the kitchen lighting scheme.

In the snug, a linear uplight was incorporated into the wall structure itself, matching the wash on the main room and providing excellent ambient light. Complementing this is a beautiful floor lamp, plus a wash of light above the window seat.

It was essential to bring the small courtyard into the home, so that it did not just become a black box in the evening. The tree was made the focal point by highlighting it with spike spotlights, while a diffused indirect wall light provides soft, ambient light.

Lizzie Fraher, Director at Fraher & Findlay, said: “The lighting scheme from MS Lighting Design has perfectly set the ambience that the client desired for their new extension. The combination of decorative pendant lights with subtle spotlighting creates an intimate aesthetic for dining, with the appropriate task lighting for various functions and highlighting the unique architecture of the space.”

Eindhoven, the Netherlands – Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, today announced the opening of its biggest LED lighting manufacturing site in the world in Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province, China. The new factory of Signify’s joint venture company Zhejiang Klite Lighting Holdings Co., Ltd (“Klite”) will manufacture high-quality branded LED lighting products, including for the Philips brand, for China and the global market.

Fully operational by the end of this year with 192 production lines, the 200,000-square meter facility will utilize world-class manufacturing technology, advanced process control, and intelligent logistics to produce LED lighting sources and luminaires for both professional and consumer markets.

“Further growth in China is a key component of our global business strategy. This new factory is an important addition to our global production capacity, supporting Signify’s growth in China and across the world. Fully in line with our growth vision, the plant illustrates our long-term commitment to China, and enhances our manufacturing and innovation presence in this important market to support China’s sustainability goals,” said Eric Rondolat, CEO of Signify.

“Opening this state-of-the-art facility not only strengthens our in-house manufacturing capability for LED lighting products, but it also helps us drive even greater speed, efficiency and innovation so we can better prepare for the growth in the global LED lighting market,” said Rowena Lee, Division Leader Digital Products at Signify.

“The new factory will be our largest manufacturing site for LED lamps and luminaires in China and worldwide,” said Yanwei Shen, CEO of Klite. “Jiangxi Province is at the hub of China’s Midwest region with advantages in transportation and labor resources, making it a great location to build a manufacturing base of LED lighting.”

With sustainability at the top of the Signify agenda, energy efficiency measures, manufacturing automation and intelligent logistics technologies are employed in the new facility to achieve its sustainability and smart factory goals.

In 2019, Signify acquired a 51% stake in Klite, a leading manufacturer of high-quality, cost-efficient LED sources and luminaires for a global customer base. In China, Signify also manufactures products at its nine facilities in multiple locations, in addition to this new facility. These in-house production capabilities, as well as Signify’s strategic partnerships with contract manufacturers, form an efficient hybrid supply chain strategy that enables high market responsiveness, accelerates product innovation, and supports Signify’s growth in China and other global markets.

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the emergency lighting sector is undergoing a transformative journey, committed to enhancing safety standards and preventing future tragedies.

ICEL (Industry Committee for Emergency Lighting) member companies have been at the forefront of driving industry progress, demonstrating an unwavering dedication to advancing safety and performance. The upcoming ICEL Emergency Lighting Conference 2023, scheduled for 14^th September at the Cavendish Conference Centre in London, marks a pivotal moment for the emergency lighting domain, attracting major contractors, FM companies, and specifiers.

Against the backdrop of the 2018 “Building a Safer Future” report, known as the Hackitt Report, the focus is on the imperative of competence within the built environment sector. The report’s call for a shift from rigid regulations to an outcomes-based approach emphasises competence as crucial for safeguarding individuals’ well-being.

In direct response to the call for proactive measures, ICEL has developed an Emergency Lighting Individual Competence Framework. This comprehensive blueprint fosters competence at both individual and organisational levels and defines the competencies needed across six critical domains – product design, specification, system design, installation, sales & distribution and testing & maintenance, instilling unwavering confidence in all emergency lighting activities.

Central to the ICEL Emergency Lighting Competence Framework is the strategic mapping of routes to competence and robust mechanisms for recording evidence. These routes encompass qualifications, professional registrations, training and demonstrations of experience and behaviour. ICEL’s commitment involves the continuous validation of competence throughout professionals’ careers, fostering a culture of ongoing improvement.

The forthcoming ICEL Emergency Lighting Conference 2023 stands as a beacon for sharing insights into the ICEL Emergency Lighting Competence Framework. The conference offers a unique opportunity to engage, enlighten, and empower.

Siddharth Mathur, Managing Partner at Studio Lumen, discusses how lighting is key to creating an environment and setting the unique atmosphere and functionality for each space. He shares how this was a critical factor in creating the lighting design for the award-winning Clé D’or project, which perfectly married lighting principles for both hospitality and retail settings.

Siddharth, a lighting designer based in Dubai, started his journey by gaining a degree in architecture and working as an architect in India. He went on to specialise in lighting, igniting his passion for lighting design and how it uniquely interacts with a space. The mission at Studio Lumen is the creative integration of light and shape to compliment the architecture.

This transition from architect to lighting designer allows Siddharth to truly understand the impact that lighting has on the design and function of a space.

How lighting creates a space fit for purpose

When creating the lighting design for Clé D’or, the biggest challenge faced was that this project uniquely blends the space between hospitality and retail functionalities. There are nuanced differences between hospitality and retail lighting and the scheme for this project required the two to become combined.

Retail lighting is directed towards public spaces, with the aim being to showcase products and draw attention to specific features, with the lighting becoming part of the design. Whereas hospitality lighting focuses on blending seamlessly into the design, creating ambience in a space by producing a sense of privacy, comfort and belonging.

Marrying the two different purposes of lighting, without one outshining the other, is difficult and challenging The brief was to create a neutral, warm space that highlights products for retail aspects while creating nooks and areas of privacy for the hospitality layer, with each section having its own identity.

Siddharth and the team at Studio Lumen achieved the desired effect by creating a perfect symphony of lighting layers, managing the lighting onsite to elevate itin certain areas and underplay it in others, perfecting a balance of contrast.

The importance of collaboration with interior designers

Studio Lumen worked on this outstanding project with Interior Design studio H2R, and credit their success on this project to the symbiotic relationship between the two firms. Studio Lumen were brought onto the project by H2R from day one, to create the concept and introduce lighting schemes right from the beginning.

The key to creating the perfect marriage between interior design and lighting design that meets the desired end goal for the client, is to have close collaboration between teams who work together as early and seamlessly as possible. This way there is more influence between the lighting and interior designs and the teams can brainstorm ideas and find solutions to any potential issues.

It’s vital that the teams respect each other’s knowledge, experience and skillset. It is also important for the client to see the value in the work and have a clear vision for what they want from the design, so that the designers and stakeholders strive towards the same goal. A project aligns when there is one objective and a respect and understanding that everyone is in this together.

Uniting retail and hospitality lighting for award-winning project design

The end result of this incredible collaboration was the Clé D’or project, winner of Retail Project of the Year at Light Middle East in 2023. Clé D’or, located in Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, is transforming the concept of luxury shopping with an exclusive, membership-only retail experience.

This project is unlike any other that the design teams had worked on, creating an interesting opportunity to produce a unique lighting scheme. Set inside the mall, this exclusive members’ area includes high-end shopping, a barber, tailor, lounges, meeting areas, spaces for formal events, and private dining. The brief was to create a one-of-a-kind space for a set of curated clientele, inserting a sense of exclusivity into a public space.

The space had to allow for a diversity of functions and exclusive hybrid areas where clients can have privacy from the rest of the mall. The design needed an elegant touch to capture the professionalism and refinement of the setting, achieved through a neutral, minimalist design.

Lighting was key in creating this transition from a bright mall corridor to a calming space, taking the consumer on a complete journey. This was achieved through three layers of lighting; architectural lighting to illustrate the great heights, general lighting that set the overall ambience, and feature lighting for private areas and nooks to add a decorative element. Each layer of interior and lighting design has been dissected to make it structured yet casual, decorative yet functional, for an environment of contrast and balance that marry together for the right combination of accent lighting, decorative lighting, functional lighting and ambient lighting.

Lighting design has proven to be an integral factor of both interior design and a crucial consideration for design as a whole. Lighting has a significant impact on creating distinct settings throughout multi-functional spaces, setting the ambience and purpose for separate areas to combine unique client needs.

Pharos announces that Thomas Ladd will be retiring from his role of International Sales Director after 14 years with the company. He has been instrumental in establishing the sales, support and distribution strategy for Pharos in the Americas and for growing the company’s global sales to where they are now. He looks forward to spending more time with family and focusing his lighting control expertise on the architectural lighting markets in the US. Thomas will be staying connected to Pharos both as a shareholder and as a consultant, leading special projects and advising on new market development in the Americas. We wish him well on his next career adventure in the lighting industry.

To provide continuity of leadership for the sales team, Pharos is pleased to announce that Mark de Gruyter has agreed to take on the mantle of Sales Director – initially on a temporary basis.

In this new role, Mark will be responsible for the sales strategy of all Pharos-branded products, worldwide. Mark is a highly regarded salesperson in the industry; in his current role as Regional Manager for EMEA, Mark has overseen a seven-fold increase in Pharos sales in his region. Mark will be based in London, helping him foster a close working relationship with the Pharos leadership team.

Commenting on the appointment, Pharos CEO Simon Hicks said, “We’re delighted that Mark has agreed to take on this role. With his experience of the product and our markets, and an existing relationship with so many of our customers, he is very well placed to take the lead on our sales strategy. I’m looking forward to working with him – I know he’s keen to grow the sales team and to capitalise on the traction that Pharos has in the market today.”

London’s Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is renowned for its expansive collections of art and design works, spanning over 5,000 years of human creativity. The Museum is currently undergoing an ambitious programme of development to transform the attraction – with new galleries and visitor facilities. The rejuvenation will also restore the beauty of the original building.

In 2017, the Museum expanded its photographic holdings, through the acquisition of the Royal Photographic Society Collection. The V&A subsequently pledged to develop a world-class centre for photography at its South Kensington location, enabling visitors to explore the medium of photography and ‘expect the unexpected’.

Having worked with the V&A Museum on a number of projects previously, the award-winning Michael Grubb Studio was appointed to create the lighting design for galleries 95-99 of the new Photography Centre.

The lighting design needed to be sensitive to, and in-keeping with, the rich historic architectural fabric of the V&A Museum. Each gallery of the project required a different approach to suit the needs and use of the space.

Gallery 95 needed appropriate lighting to operate the Camera Obscura. Careful consideration was also necessary to ensure there was no light spill onto the adjacent light sensitive Gallery 94 tapestries and Gallery 95 artefacts.

Galleries 96 and 97 required a more traditional gallery track and spotlighting, that also supported flexibility for event use and to allow for curated changes of showcased works.

Operating as the heart of the photography Galleries, Gallery 98 offered a library and staff working spaces, with a central mezzanine. The lighting design had to combine sensitive low levels of functional lighting with decorative and architectural lighting.

Finally, Gallery 99 showcases digital and projected artwork and therefore needs very low levels of lighting. The lighting also has to be flexible for the future, providing functional lighting for visitor experience and to relate visually to the other galleries.

The Michael Grubb Studio team worked in close collaboration with the design and client team to deliver the extensive brief. They also created a lighting scheme that was mindful of each gallery’s flexible use requirement, as well as remaining sensitive to both the existing and new architectural features.

The lighting scheme has been carefully developed to enhance the visitor experience of engaging visually with the displayed artefacts, photography, books and artworks. This has been achieved through expert curation of the best possible lighting solutions. The lighting design also ensures key building features, such as the beautifully renovated ceilings and cornices are highlighted. This not only showcases the amazing setting of the museum; it creates a strong sense of presence and delivers an encompassing experience for visitors.

There were some limitations to the integration of lighting technology due to the original heritage features including the cornices and decorative ceilings. This required the Michael Grubb team to coordinate extensively with the design team, construction team, client and preservation officers.

The team conducted this expertly, resolving all issues and ensuring the final lighting scheme did not disrupt the original architecture, but delivered all required aspects.

Matt Waugh, Associate of Michael Grubb Studio, said: “It was wonderful to work with the team at V&A again after several previous partnerships. It’s so rewarding to see how our lighting designs support and enhance the redevelopment of the museum, transforming it into an even more mesmerising space.

“The project had a number of constraints, but our expertise in heritage sites provided us with great insights into how to overcome these. Our solid working relationship with the client and design teams meant we all worked in harmony to deliver this brief and support the V&As mission of delighting and inspiring visitors.”

Project credits:

Client: Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Fit-out Architects : Gibson Thornley Architects

Base Build & Lead Architects + Heritage ConsultantPurcell

Structural and M&E Consultants Harley Haddow

P.M: Avison Young

Contractor: Quinn

Electrical Contractor: Lowe & Oliver

QS: Currie Brown

Princes Circus, London, UK

Princes Circus is the final public space to be delivered as part of an array of award-winning West End Projects.  Commissioned by Camden Borough Council, the ambition was to transform key neglected areas blighted by pollution, heavy vehicular traffic and anti-social behaviour into green spaces that provide the opportunity for all to dwell, relax and enjoy the newly designed, welcoming, natural habitat.

LDA Design provided the transformative Landscape Design for the West End Projects and appointed Michael Grubb Studio to provide the Lighting Design for Princes Circus, Whitfield Gardens, Alfred Place and Huntley Street. The key focus across the different areas was to extend the enjoyment of the spaces after dark and create a welcoming ambience, enhancing a sense of safety and security.

Princes Circus is laid out in two triangles. The northern triangle is enjoyed by local workers and visitors frequenting the surrounding restaurants and bars adjacent to Shaftesbury Avenue, with outside seating spilling out for use during the summer months. A procession of columns with triangular luminaires creates a wrap of warm light around the perimeter, which invites pedestrians from New Oxford Street into the newly created Princes Circus.

The lighting design to the north was inspired by the series of mature, tall trees that create a focal point and woodland area, enhanced by the surrounding distinctive woodland planting and seated areas by LDA Design.  Gobo projectors mounted at height, discretely hidden amongst the trees, project a dappled leaf effect in cool light, creating a moonlit forest floor at the base of the trees. In contrast, warm uplights carefully directed into the high tree canopies dramatically highlight their scale and form, for visitors to enjoy for a limited time during the evening.

The southern triangle presents a grand plaza, with Shaftesbury Theatre as its backdrop. Later this year, a drinking fountain monument, originally installed to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, will be reinstated following its restoration and uplit by night, creating the focal point. Spotlights provide the surrounding warm ambience for theatre visitors, passers-by and people resting on the seated areas.

Melissa Byers, Head of Michael Grubb Studio Bournemouth, said: “It is difficult to choose a favourite out of the West End Projects, they all presented inspired opportunities to bring benefit and enjoyment to many people’s everyday lives in the centre of London. From a lighting perspective, Princes Circus provided a great natural backdrop to work with, alongside the surrounding, historic architecture. Camden Borough Council and LDA Design supported the delivery of a strong, lit vision and this is reflected by the success of them all. The lighting supports the vibrant, bustling night-time economy, alongside creating a woodland glade to reflect and relax in, which is a great achievement for a relatively small Central London location.”

Tim South, Associate at LDA Design and project lead for Princes Circus, said: “Through our approach, we saw the lighting element as a critical component to achieving the overall look and feel of Princes Circus and the team at Michael Grubb Studio interpreted the brief with imagination and skill. I’m convinced the new landmark public space will feel safe, comfortable and animated at all times of day and night.”

Project Credits:
Landscape Design: LDA Design
Lighting Designer: Michael Grubb Studio
Client: London Borough of Camden
Civil, M&E and Structural Engineer: Arcadis
Cost Consultant: Norman Rourke Pryme
Contractor: idverde
Overarching West End Project Strategy: DSDHA
Photographer: Mike Massaro