Month: March 2025

Pharos Architectural Controls is set to continue its busy schedule of industry events, with the announcement that it will be returning to Las Vegas for this year’s LightFair show.

Pharos will be on stand 1842 to meet delegates and showcase a raft of important updates to its product offering, with a particular focus on Pharos Expert.

The team will be demonstrating the latest changes to the Expert range, including additional capability to support the Pharos RIO G4 – a four-port gateway which now adds convenient Ethernet-distributed DMX ports to an Expert system. The show will also offer the chance for Pharos to showcase its latest improvements to Expert software, including RDM (Remote Device Management) fixture status monitoring and support for luminaires with extended parameters, such as focus, zoom and gobo.

Expert software version 1.2 also introduces support for two new capacity variants of Expert Control: Expert Control 4 and Expert Control 6. The four-universe Control 4 offers 2,048 DMX channels and the Control 6 – with six-universe capacity – supports 3,072 channels. The form-factor is the same as the Control 1 and Control 2, with two convenient local DMX ports on board. All channels are available via eDMX protocols, such as sACN and Art-Net, or via DMX ports on the new Pharos RIO G4.

Finally, visitors to the stand will be able to experience demonstrations of the Expert Control 6 with a Pharos RIO G4 combination, along with the Expert Touch mobile app. The app turns any phone or tablet device on a local Wi-Fi network into an elegant user control interface for scene selection, colour and intensity override, as well as to view the programmed schedule and even pause upcoming events.

This will be only the second event attended by the Pharos team since the controls specialist opened its new office in Denver earlier this year. This new location, selected for its proximity to Denver International Airport, will operate as the primary base for the Pharos US team’s training operations and serve as a central location for managing demo products and product servicing. It will also allow Pharos to more effectively provide technical support to customers in the Midwest and along the West Coast.

Michael Grosse (MG), Regional Sales Manager for the Americas at Pharos Architectural Controls said: “LightFair’s rich history in the industry makes it an important date in the Pharos calendar. This year we are taking the opportunity to showcase some of the much-anticipated updates to Pharos Expert that will continue to revolutionize the way that designers, specifiers and installers approach lighting projects.

“My team and I look forward to joining over 15,000 industry peers, customers and friends to showcase Pharos technology and help them bring their lighting projects to life.”

Award-winning Northern Irish beauty brand BPerfect has expanded its reach with the launch of its first England megastore in Manchester’s Arndale Centre. The brand’s vision was to build an immersive beauty destination that offers customers an unforgettable shopping experience beyond the product itself. The goal for the brand’s first England store was to create an unparalleled retail experience and also act as an interactive space for events and customer engagement.

Light Forms worked closely with Ripple, who created the displays for the store, and client BPerfect to illuminate the stunning design for the flagship site at Manchester Arndale. The brief was to create a clean, bright atmosphere to beautifully highlight the products, but also to make an impact with feature lighting which stands out and makes the space truly special. Light Forms and Ripple ensured that the design fit in with the existing aesthetic of the BPerfect brand, as an extension of its already successful stores but with new dynamic additions.

Light Forms supplied a variety of luminaires to meet this brief, including Nova93 Track Spot & Powergear Track, Moonfull Stretch, and the new innovative Lightrod 40. The Light Forms team completed lighting calculations to ensure that the lighting worked perfectly in the space and met the desired brief.

This dynamic lighting, due to the adaptable track spot lighting, intuitively guides customers throughout the store, with strategic lighting accents of suspended rods at consultation areas and demo stations creating an immersive environment. The Lightrod 40 fittings provide the desired feature focal point, creating a ‘spine’ of light that supports the heart of the store.

The lighting has enhanced the in-store experience and created a luxury beauty destination that evokes the BPerfect brand perfectly.

Daniel Wolfenden, Design & Marketing Director at Ripple, commented: “It’s so important to be working with people and companies you can trust to bring your ideas to life and Light Forms are certainly one our design team are always thrilled to work with. Our recent project for BPerfect in Manchester, lighting was a key component, with a variety of engaging zones within one open plan space, we created a lighting scheme to work hand in hand with the scheme, to ensure the spaces weren’t in competition, but instead, created flow, dynamism and focal zones to assist customers in the space. As always Light Forms were able to deliver products for this specific vision and ensure the light levels intended would be delivered.”

Paul Shoosmith, Director at Light Forms, said, “We are extremely proud to have been part of this project, working with Ripple to design BPerfect’s first flagship megastore in England. The project has received incredible feedback and has been called the brand’s best store yet. We are thrilled to have helped BPerfect with their incredible expansion as the brand continues to grow, and to see our lighting as an integral part of the store’s functionality and aesthetic.”

Project credits:
Client – BPerfect
Retail Design – Ripple
Lighting – Light Forms

The DALI Alliance are delighted to invite lighting professionals from across the industry to join the live announcement of the 2024/2025 DALI Alliance Awards.

Held at 1PM GMT on Monday the 24th of March, the winner’s announcement will unveil those organizations who have been recognized for the application and innovative use of DALI protocol, including Best Use of D4i,

Open not only to members, this year the DALI Alliance and chosen esteemed judges were delighted to see a 27% surge in submissions, highlighting how DALI is continually revolutionizing the lighting industry and providing opportunities for organizations to adopt smarter and more efficient solutions. Notably the 2024/2025 entries identified how the global open standard has enabled seamless interoperability of components from differing manufacturers – one of the greatest benefits of the DALI protocol.

Following a refresh to the awards program for 2024/2025, the live announcement is set to celebrate expert adoption and use of DALI, champion best practice and recognize the winners and highly commended organizations who have embraced the technologies and benefits of DALI.

DALI are inviting professionals from across the industry to join the live celebration at 1PM (GMT) on the 24th of March by joining the Webex link: https://ieee-isto.webex.com/ieee-isto/j.php?MTID=mfd36b80c7eb4448c01d6e82886cfa41f

The DALI Alliance (also known as the Digital Illumination Interface Alliance, or DiiA) is the global industry organization for DALI-based digital lighting control, driving market adoption and standardization of the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI®) protocol. The alliance develops technical specifications, promotes interoperability, and manages the DALI-2, DALI+ and D4i certification programs, ensuring that lighting control systems are scalable, flexible, and future-ready. The DALI Alliance works with manufacturers, system integrators, and end-users to support innovation and drive the adoption of intelligent, connected lighting solutions.

For more information, visit www.dali-alliance.org.

TRILUX partnership Delivers Intelligent and Sustainable Lighting for Centraal and
Musis Parking Garages

UK, March 2025 – The municipality of Arnhem has embraced a smarter, more sustainable
future with the modernisation of lighting at its Centraal and Musis parking garages. Working
in partnership with ITN, TRILUX provided a cutting-edge, wireless lighting solution that
enhances energy efficiency and supports circular economy principles by recycling old
luminaires into raw materials for new fixtures.

With a strong emphasis on quality, longevity, and sustainability, TRILUX's solution went beyond
conventional lighting upgrades. Integrated smart controls, sensor-based dimming, and wireless
communication optimise energy consumption while reducing CO₂ emissions. The project also
features a fully circular recycling process, setting a new benchmark for municipal lighting schemes.

A Smart, Wireless Lighting Network
A key requirement of the project was the implementation of an intelligent lighting system that
adapts dynamically to usage patterns. TRILUX equipped the parking garages with MyMesh-
enabled luminaires, creating a fully networked, sensor-driven environment without the need for
additional DALI control lines.
"The luminaires operate at an energy-saving base level, automatically adjusting brightness based
on real-time occupancy data," explains Martijn den Besten, Business Development Manager at

TRILUX. "If no movement is detected, the lighting dims further, and as soon as activity resumes,
the system instantly returns to the required illumination level. This maximises energy efficiency
while ensuring safety and comfort for users."
All luminaires are seamlessly connected to the LiveLink Premium light management system,
allowing the municipality to remotely monitor, adjust, and optimise settings for different parking
levels. The result is a high-performance lighting infrastructure that is cost-effective, long-lasting,
and environmentally responsible.

Closing the Loop: A Fully Circular Lighting Approach

The Arnhem project also demonstrates TRILUX's commitment to circularity. Instead of disposing of
old luminaires, TRILUX and ITN established a closed-loop recycling system to recover and
repurpose materials.

"ITN collected and transported the decommissioned luminaires to the Recycle Service Center in
Amsterdam, where they were fully dismantled," explains Raymond van Dijken, Sales Manager at
TRILUX Benelux. "Optics, housings, clamps, ballasts, electronics, and lamp sockets were
separated and processed for reuse. The housings and optics were recycled into high-quality
granulate, which is now being used as raw material in our Zaragoza factory to manufacture new
waterproof luminaires."

By integrating smart controls and circular economy principles, the Arnhem municipality is reducing
its environmental footprint and setting a precedent for sustainable public lighting projects.
With long-term efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability at the heart of this initiative, TRILUX
continues to drive innovation in smart, responsible lighting solutions—helping cities transition
towards smarter, more sustainable urban environments. For further information about TRILUX’s
refurbishment solutions visit https://www.trilux.com/en/service/lighting-renovation/refurbishment/

In celebration of reaching a 25-year foundation tenure, Magarpatta commissioned the facade illumination of their city gates. A 450-acre gated community consisting of commercial areas, residential compounds, hospital, school, 25-acre urban park, and a shopping mall. To mark a quarter-century, they wanted to create an awe-inspiring lighting display at the main entrance.

The gates at the entrance were adorned with beautiful, dynamic lighting to enhance the appeal for both residents and visitors. Semblance Studio, a local lighting design firm from Pune, chose K-LITE to provide the lighting solutions. opted to include exceptional structural lights and those positioned to pick out prominent features at the city mantel.

With this ‘key to the city’ type honour, K-LITE supplied products including Form-17, Underwater lights , Aster 15 solutions which combined to form a cohesive lighting scheme. Form-17 fixtures were installed in the niche of the entrance and Aster 15 were placed in the niches of the entrance lateral walls adjacent to the water fountain. The addition of underwater lights to accent the fountains cast light within the waters to texture the elements at the entrance. The lighting heightened the attraction of the city’s celebrations, thus giving credence to the extent of K-LITE’s lighting solutions, working to a brief that created a welcoming and impactful display.

This award-winning metropolis is part of a ‘vision shaped by values’ scheme created to ensure sustainable developments, for building family units, and creating homes for long term appreciation of new build eco-cities. The project follows an internationally acclaimed model that emphasises sustainable living and responsible development.

Over the years, K-LITE has successfully anchored responsible actions in its corporate philosophy, contributing to a stable ecological, economic, and social framework. In this changing world, K-LITE takes pride in its sustainable lighting solutions, advancing energy efficiency, reducing maintenance needs, and promoting a commitment to sustainability across projects worldwide.

Project Credits:

Client: Magarpatta City

Lighting Designer: Semblance Studio

Lighting Manufacturer: K-LITE

Photography courtesy of K-LITE

Echoing the same sleek styling and modern design aesthetic, Ansell Lighting has created a
slimmed-down version of its popular outdoor Reef wall light.

Available in both directional and bi-directional formats, the highly robust, polycarbonate Reef
S lamp has been designed to ensure long-lasting performance, withstanding even salt air
and coastal spray. Re-enforced with a five-year warranty, the IP65 rated lamp is the ideal
option for any outdoor lighting project.

Inventively, Reef S is also supplied with three interchangeable Gobo inserts, enabling a
range of decorative beam angles to be easily created for unique visual effects. This is the
first lamp designed for residential applications to offer this innovative feature, fulfilling current
market demand for products that deliver a highly personalised lighting experience. CCT
Selectable between 3000K and 4000K, Reef S also offers users the added flexibility of
choosing between warm or cool lighting hues.

Easy to install, Reef S features a unique lockable installation base plate and push-fit loop-
in/loop-out terminals with a WAGO "park" area, facilitating quick and efficient wiring.
A PIR option is also available for added functionality, providing increased convenience and
security.

Mark Abbott, Managing Director at Ansell Lighting, commented “Reef S is a fantastic new
addition to our Reef outdoor lighting range and represents a new era of innovation for
residential lighting. Not only does it look great, but it is easy to install and will stand the test
of time. It offers users the ability to create interesting lighting effects in their own homes,
providing both versatility and durability in one stylish package.”

White Light is delighted to honour the achievements of former Managing Director Bryan Raven, whose dedication to theatre, sustainability, and industry development has left a lasting impact. Though surprised by the recognition, Bryan has been deeply moved by the response, receiving hundreds of heartfelt messages from colleagues and peers acknowledging his leadership, reliability, and unwavering commitment to the industry.

Throughout his career, Bryan has been instrumental in driving industry-wide initiatives. He played a key role in White Light’s long-standing sponsorship of TheatreCraft, ensuring that aspiring off-stage theatre professionals have access to valuable career support. Reflecting on his involvement, Bryan recalls: “I was introduced to TheatreCraft over a decade ago through personal relationship and their mission resonated with me. It is such a vital event for our industry as it allows the next generation a much-needed insight into the various resources available and the paths they may be able to take. It’s all about encouraging and making sure everything is completely accessible – hence the importance supporting them through sponsoring. One of my proudest achievements is to see that TheatreCraft has become an integral part of White Light’s annual calendar, championed internally by various team members.” Bryan’s commitment extended to helping with the development of TheatreCraft Next Generation, dedicated to 7-15 years old, held at the Science Museum in London in 2024.

Bryan has also been a driving force in nurturing new talent within the industry. His involvement in Skillscene since 2012 and his position as one of the founding directors of the National College Creative Industries (NCCI) led to the creation of White Light’s award-winning apprenticeship scheme, which has provided over 75 young people with a Creative Venue Technician apprenticeship since its inception in 2011. His advocacy work in government lobbying has ensured that technical theatre careers remain firmly on the agenda.

For over 15 years, Bryan has championed sustainability in the performing arts. He recalls: “In 2008, I collaborated with Julie’s Bicycle on the Greening London’s Theatres guide, a practical guide for the industry launched by the then Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. It outlined how London theatres could cut carbon emissions and implement greener practices.” From his early involvement in the Green in London Theatre campaign to his recent work with the Theatre Green Book, Bryan has consistently pushed for environmental responsibility. His collaborations with sustainability leaders such as Julie’s Bicycle, Paule Constable (Lighting Designer), Paul Handley (Head of Production at the National Theatre), Juliet Hayes (Risk & Sustainability Manager at SOLT) to name but a few, highlight his unwavering commitment. Under his leadership, White Light achieved ISO14001 accreditation in 2022—an international standard for environmental management systems—followed by B Corp certification just months later.

Bryan reflects: “We were introduced to B Corp while working towards ISO14001, and we soon realised our existing practices aligned perfectly. It wasn’t about changing our approach but formalising it. B Corp’s mission resonated with us—to grow a profitable, sustainable business with a global reputation for excellence. This wasn’t a short-term sustainability initiative but a long-term commitment to accountability and responsible business practices.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryan played a pivotal role in the #WeMakeEvents campaign, advocating for the live events sector at a time of crisis. His efforts in lobbying MPs at the House of Commons helped bring the industry’s challenges to the forefront of government discussions.
Throughout his time at White Light, Bryan was supported by colleagues who enabled him to focus on these vital issues and help shape a better industry. He laughs: “Of course, not every idea of mine was a winner!”

Bryan’s legacy is deeply rooted in White Light’s values, inspired by founder John Simpson’s ethos of ‘doing the right thing.’ The company remains committed to integrity, innovation, and industry support. White Light’s Technical Director Dave Isherwood comments: “”We are proud to see this carried forward by our team, from Stuart Porter’s work with the ALPD to Jonathan Haynes’ advocacy for the Save the Beck Theatre campaign, and Liz Thompson and Sandra Tyler’s leadership of our apprenticeship programme, among many others. As we look to the future and the next generation of leaders, we remain dedicated to upholding these values. We are also pleased to announce Craig Bennett as our new General Manager, reinforcing our commitment to being the industry’s ‘Partner of Choice.’ Bryan’s contributions to White Light—and the wider industry—are truly invaluable, and we couldn’t be prouder of all he has contributed, continues to achieve, and the invaluable lessons he has shared with us.”

When asked what advice Bryan would offer to those looking to make a similar impact, he shares: “In today’s climate, making an impact is more challenging due to macroeconomic and geopolitical factors. However, it is now more critical than ever to pursue a responsible business strategy. The next generation of leaders recognises this, which gives me hope. Demonstrating the business case for sustainability and responsibility to external stakeholders is key to fostering a long-term, ethical approach. It will also help attract future talent, as young professionals increasingly seek to work for organisations that align with their values.”

Even as he embarks on new ventures, Bryan remains deeply connected to the industry. His upcoming projects include presenting a climate change paper at Showlight in Dijon (19–22 May), continuing his engagement with the Power of Events to inspire young talent, and working with Theatre Green Book to address embedded carbon in technical products. He is also mentoring business leaders on their career and organisational growth.

We extend our sincere congratulations to Bryan on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to his continued influence in shaping the future of the performing arts industry.

Photography by Danny Kaan

Lighting connectivity experts Tridonic is sharing the success story of the Tridonic Academy; an education scheme designed to deliver vital skills across the electronics industry.

The Academy is a partnership between Tridonic and New College Durham, aimed at ensuring a pipeline of skilled talent for the future. Tridonic is the only electronics manufacturing business in the North East of England working on a partnership of this kind.
Since September 2024, students have been able to access a Tridonic Academy designed level 2 electronics course at New College. The course is specifically a Level 2 Engineering operations (Electrical) Course. This provides learners with the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in the electronics Manufacturing industry.

The course was designed and led through a collaboration between Ben Kennard, Manufacturing and Supply Chain manager at Tridonic and the College. The collaboration started in 2023 with Tridonic, Business Durham, The North East Institute of Technology and New College working together to support education and industry.

Run over the duration of one year, the course combines theoretical principles with hands-on, practical training. Key for Tridonic is the opportunity to teach skills that the manufacturer needs going forward, including surface mount soldering and use of the placement machine. The trained students can then be recruited from the college; providing employment opportunities for local young people and ensuring Tridonic can build a team of individuals with the right skills.

In preparation of the course starting, Tridonic upskilled two members of staff and two lecturers from New College to become IPC CIT trained. A Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) is a professional who trains and certifies others to become Certified IPC Specialists (CIS). CITs are experts in IPC standards, which are globally recognised benchmarks for electronics manufacturing.

Tina Taylor, Ideas and Training Coordinator, received this training, led the teaching at the College and has become the face of Tridonic with students.

Ben Kennard has also been a guest speaker on the course. Ben has been able to showcase his role in the electronics sector, and the benefits of a job in this industry.

Cementing the partnership further, in February Tridonic invited 2 students from the class that were interested in a role at the manufacturer for a ‘Trial a Job’ day. This gave the students a taster of what working at Tridonic would be like, and also for the company to see what their newly acquired skills could bring into the team.

One of the students was so impressive that he has already been offered a job at Tridonic, which will begin at the start of April. He will initially work at Tridonic for 2 days a week while he finishes his course, with a view to moving to a full-time role on completion of his training.

At the start of this month, a Placement machine was delivered to New College, provided by Tridonic who secured a grant from Business Durham enabling the manufacturer to gift the machine to the college. Tridonic is supporting the college in the set-up of the machine, and passing on the knowledge and expertise needed.

Once the machine is live, a member of the Tridonic team will train the students on a one-to-one basis on the machine, while Tina continues with the knowledge training and workbooks on the machine. This ensures that all students are trained on the machine and operations.

Ben Kennard, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Manager at Tridonic, said that the company is actively involved in designing training programmes that equip students with the necessary skills to thrive in the lighting industry.
“It’s about offering opportunities for young people and giving them the skills they need to succeed,” he explained. “We believe in supporting the local community, and these Level 2 courses, in addition to the Level 3 and 4 apprentices that we currently offer with New College Durham are a way for us to contribute to the future of County Durham.”

Tina Taylor, Training and Ideas Co-Ordinator at Tridonic added: “I am extremely proud of my class and how they accept me and Tridonic; they love to learn and are full of energy to solder. I am also very proud to be a part of the whole process and show that even though Tridonic is classed as a SME, we are committed to working with young people and the college to secure future talent.”

Through the partnership, learners can also benefit from educational visits to Tridonic’s Spennymoor facility, giving them first-hand experience of real-world engineering and manufacturing environments.

Reflecting on this, Karl Johnson, Head of School Mechanical, Electrical and the Built Environment at New College Durham said: “At New College Durham, we’re all about closing the skills gap in engineering and manufacturing through fantastic industry partnerships.

“Our collaboration with Tridonic is a wonderful example of how education and industry can come together to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience they need for bright and successful careers.

“Our transformational partnership not only provides learners with industry-led training but also showcases Tridonic’s proactive approach in tackling workforce challenges and attracting future talent. By working together, we’re ensuring that learners leave New College Durham with the skills, confidence, and experience they need to thrive in the engineering and manufacturing sectors.”

The collaboration with New College Durham is a vital component of Tridonic’s long-term workforce strategy. The hope is that in June 2025, Tridonic will be able to identify additional students that want to join their team.

An impressive new permanent exhibition inside Drents Museum in the Netherlands has been brought to life by Ata Tech with a comprehensive audiovisual package from Pharos Architectural Controls and Genelec.

The exhibition comprises 15 rooms that create a labyrinth of interactive storytelling, revitalising the northeastern province of Drenthe in the Netherlands. Visitors experience an array of unique interactive adventures, from a mammoth hunt to a farmer’s wedding. The exhibit also features the world’s oldest-known boat, the 12,000-year-old Pesse canoe, discovered near the museum in the 1950s.

Advanced technologies from Pharos and Genelec were utilised to create the interactive soundscapes and projections that also enable guests to participate in games such as spear throwing and canoeing. A Pharos Designer LPC (Lighting Playback Controller) created the perfect interface to handle the complex lighting and sound requirements for the exhibition, which includes a full universe of DMX-patched lighting fixtures, as well as control of other AV devices.

Pharos Cloud allowed for remote monitoring, management and adjustment of the multiple systems required to create a seamless, immersive visitor experience. The LPC’s show-control capabilities were integrated with Genelec speakers to create the single-controller system, making start-up, shutdown and maintenance of the installation simpler and more effective.

The additional flexibility provided by Pharos Cloud enables both Ata Tech and the team at the museum to respond quickly to any programming changes or new requirements that arise, without the need for physical intervention. This not only ensures optimal operation of all systems, but does so in a way that is user-friendly, allowing museum staff to easily manage the various systems through an intuitive interface.

The challenge in the Labyrinthia project was implementing a soundscape throughout the museum while ensuring the audio synchronised seamlessly with the content in each room. Additionally, it needed to allow museum hosts and tour guides to easily mute the sound in each exhibition space during guided tours. This was achieved using the Genelec system, which enables guides to manage the audio effortlessly via a phone or iPad.

A monitoring system was also installed, allowing Ata Tech to remotely check the functionality of the audio system. The system can be monitored globally via Pharos Cloud, enhancing maintenance efficiency and reliability.

Tom Aarts from Ata Tech, said: “The feedback from the client and from visitors alike has been fantastic and we are thrilled to see the exhibitions in action; entertaining, engaging and educating guests that visit the museum. The choice of Pharos and its integration with Genelec allows the technologies at the Drents Museum to be combined in a flexible and efficient way, contributing to a dynamic and immersive experience for the visitors.”

Bas Hoksbergen, Business Development Director for Pharos, said: “The seamless integration between the Pharos and Genelec systems has created something very special at Drents Museum, and demonstrates perfectly the continued versatility of our controllers.”

Project Credits:
Systems Integrator: Ata Tech
Audio Specialists: Genelec
Lighting Controls: Pharos Architectural Controls
Designer: NorthernLight
Exhibit Builder: Bruns
Interactivs:e YIPP
Content: WIRTZ Film & Experience Agency
Photography: Sake Elzinga & Nienke Maat