Author: russellcoombes

Exterior lighting is often expected to perform without compromise, yet too often it is specified as an afterthought, leaving projects exposed to inconsistent illumination, premature failure, and increased maintenance demands. In environments where safety, visibility, and aesthetics are critical, the absence of a robust, well-designed solution can quickly become a long-term liability rather than a short-term saving.

Responding to these challenges, Ventilux has announced the launch of the Waylite Bollard, a modern exterior luminaire designed to deliver reliable, high-quality illumination across a wide range of outdoor environments. Combining robust engineering with a refined, contemporary aesthetic, the Waylite Bollard addresses the growing demand for lighting solutions that balance performance, durability, and visual integration.

Constructed from durable die-cast aluminium and rated to IP65, the 20W bollard is engineered to perform consistently in challenging weather conditions while maintaining its visual appeal over time. Its clean, architectural form allows it to sit comfortably within a variety of schemes, from commercial and public realm projects to hospitality settings and residential developments, where both safety and design coherence are key considerations.

The Waylite Bollard has been developed to support applications including pathways, landscaped areas, and building perimeters, helping to improve visibility and enhance the overall user experience in external spaces. Its versatility makes it well-suited to commercial environments, healthcare and education campuses, and urban landscapes, where dependable illumination is essential for both functionality and safety.

Alongside the introduction of the Waylite Bollard, Ventilux is extending its standard product warranties from six to eight years. This move reflects a wider shift within the industry towards prioritising long-term performance and lifecycle value, supporting engineers, contractors, and clients who are increasingly focused on how products perform well beyond initial installation.

Ian Murphy, R&D Manager at Ventilux, commented: “There is a clear shift in the market towards solutions that deliver sustained performance over time, not just compliance on day one. With the Waylite Bollard, we’ve focused on creating a product that is not only robust and reliable in demanding outdoor environments but also designed to integrate seamlessly into modern schemes. Extending our warranties to eight years is a natural step in supporting our customers with greater confidence in the longevity and performance of our products.”

The launch of the Waylite Bollard, together with the extended warranty offering, highlights Ventilux’s continued focus on delivering practical, design-led lighting solutions that meet the evolving needs of the built environment, where durability, efficiency, and long-term reliability are more important than ever.

Designed with modern styling, installer-friendly features and precise optical control, Tephra, the brand-new streetlight from Ansell Lighting, enhances the aesthetic of outdoor spaces while providing strong visibility.

Suitable for use in car parks and large open areas, the highly durable luminaire is manufactured from die-cast aluminium, ensuring it is built for long-lasting performance in demanding outdoor environments. Its reliability is further reinforced by IP66 and IK08 ratings alongside an impressive L80 54,000h lifespan.

Designed specifically with contractors in mind, the streetlight features an integrated spirit level for quick and easy levelling during installation and is suitable for both post-top and side-entry mounting. Pre-wired with a 600mm rubber insulated cable and supplied with an AFIX connector, it allows for a fast, secure and IP-rated connection.

In terms of functionality, the luminaire is built with a 30° adjustable head tilt (15° up or down) for wider or narrower light distribution. Its engineered lens design delivers a wide beam angle with minimal glare, ensuring precise optical control.

Mark Abott, Managing Director at Ansell Lighting, said: “Tephra is a fantastic addition to our streetlight range. It showcases our commitment to designing products that are innovative, versatile and most importantly, easy to install. Exterior lighting plays a multi- We believe this product delivers on every front, providing enhanced visibility, functionality and visual appeal.”

For more information visit www.ansell-lighting.com

Pharos Architectural Controls are exhibiting at PLASA Focus Leeds on 12–13 May 2026, presenting their latest developments across its lighting control portfolio, led by significant new capabilities within the Pharos Express range.

Designed to deliver powerful, intuitive control for architectural lighting applications, Pharos Express continues to evolve with the release of Express 2.1, introducing a suite of new integration and automation features that expand its flexibility and connectivity.
A key focus of the update is enhanced third-party integration. New DALI integration enables incoming DALI group commands to directly control spaces or change tags in the project. This allows for seamless control of intensity changes, scene recall, and project behaviour controlled by tags, all configured through a simple, table-based interface. For projects utilising RIO D4, a remote 4-port DALI device, integration can be tailored independently for each DALI port, offering greater control at a granular level.

Further enhancing connectivity, MQTT integration enables simple two-way communication between Express Control and external systems via any MQTT broker. This allows lighting to be monitored and controlled in real time, with key information such as intensity levels, active scenes, and tags automatically updated. A clear and predictable topic structure makes integration with popular IoT platforms like Node-RED or IFTTT straightforward and easy to scale.

Express 2.1 also introduces the ability to send Ethernet messages on scene activation, enabling direct communication with third-party devices over a network. Supporting both TCP and UDP protocols, the system allows a target device to be pre-configured, with each scene capable of triggering a specific command. This opens up new possibilities for synchronised control across wider building or entertainment systems.

In addition, enhanced scheduling functionality now allows events to recur annually across defined date ranges. This provides a simple and effective solution for seasonal or recurring events, ensuring lighting schemes can automatically respond year after year with minimal intervention. Fixture status monitoring via Pharos Cloud is also now available within Express, extending visibility and diagnostics across installations.

Alongside Express, visitors to the stand will also discover the latest advancements within the Pharos Designer platform, which continues to evolve as a highly integrated and scalable solution for more complex lighting environments.

Jack Neill, Product Director at Pharos, said, “The latest Designer 2.16 release enhances both capability and integration. With support for the new Pharos RIO 84 – offering expanded inputs, outputs, and multi-protocol connectivity – alongside native integration with Advatek PixLite Mk3 controllers, we’re making it easier than ever to deliver sophisticated, pixel-based lighting systems.”

Additional enhancements include trigger rate limiting for improved system stability, and refinements to timeline functionality with improvements to audio rows delivering a more responsive and intuitive programming experience.

Together, these developments reinforce the Pharos commitment to delivering powerful and flexible lighting control solutions, supporting projects of all scales – from straightforward architectural schemes to highly complex, integrated environments.

Visitors to PLASA Focus Leeds can explore these latest innovations first-hand at Stand N-D19.

Lighting is one of the fastest ways to reduce energy use and carbon emissions, but only data-driven, connected solutions deliver long-term results. As the UK government announces a £1bn investment in NHS decarbonisation, it is clear that energy-efficient, connected lighting is no longer a “nice-to-have” feature; it has become a strategic, measurable part of net zero delivery.
Tridonic has been at the forefront of professional lighting innovation for over 60 years, from early electronic control gear to LED drivers and modules, and more recently to connected systems built on open, standardised protocols such as DALI-2 and D4i. This interoperability allows lighting to integrate seamlessly with building management systems, unlocking new operational value for building owners and operators.
The true potential of modern lighting lies in data. Today’s luminaires generate real-time insights on energy consumption, operating hours, faults, and component health. This transforms lighting from a passive system into an intelligent, data-generating asset, enabling predictive maintenance, operational optimisation, and long-term lifecycle management. Tridonic’s Building Asset360 methodology takes this transformation further by aligning lighting system insights with the operational needs of each building. Building Asset360 ensures that investments deliver measurable outcomes over the lifecycle, from energy savings and reduced maintenance to carbon reduction, rather than just short-term efficiency gains.
Building Asset360 transforms lighting from a passive system into an intelligent, fully managed building asset. Each luminaire generates a digital profile, providing real-time insight into performance, usage, and condition. This information enables predictive maintenance, automates emergency lighting compliance, and feeds occupancy and usage data into energy optimisation strategies, helping to reduce consumption, lower operational costs, and support net zero targets.
Because lighting is present in every space, it is increasingly central to smart building strategies, serving as a continuous source of actionable data. Connected systems allow operators to monitor energy use, performance, and maintenance needs in real time, turning lighting into a tool for insight rather than simply illumination. Building Asset360 shows how this data can be leveraged to inform decisions, optimise efficiency, and support long-term sustainability, helping teams, companies and trusts ensure that decarbonisation investments are both effective and evidence-based.
By delivering continuous, lifecycle-wide value, Building Asset360 integrates lighting into the wider smart building ecosystem. Initiatives like the NHS decarbonisation framework show how connected lighting is central to public sector retrofits, where measurable energy savings, carbon reduction, and strategic investment are critical.
Richard Strode, Managing Director, Tridonic UK, said, “Lighting is providing new insight into how buildings operate. Building Asset360 captures data on performance, energy use, and maintenance, giving information needed to make informed, evidence-based decisions. In the context of the UK government’s £1bn NHS decarbonisation programme, connected, data-driven lighting will help hospitals and healthcare settings achieve measurable energy reductions and carbon savings, while ensuring investments are used efficiently and deliver long-term value.”

[Byline] By Dialight and Agilix Solutions
Industrial environments push equipment to its limits. High temperatures, airborne contaminants, vibration, and corrosive exposure are common realities inside many facilities. While these conditions are typically considered when specifying heavy machinery or process equipment, lighting is often overlooked.

Yet lighting systems operate continuously within these same demanding environments. When fixtures are not designed for these conditions, environmental stresses can significantly impact reliability, maintenance requirements, and overall lighting performance.

Understanding how common industrial conditions affect lighting systems is an important step when selecting fixtures built to perform over the long term.

Dust and Airborne Contaminants
Dust is present in nearly every industrial facility. The movement of materials, forklifts, and personnel continuously sends fine particles into the air where they eventually settle on surfaces throughout the plant.
When dust accumulates on lighting fixtures, it can trap heat within the fixture housing. Even relatively small increases in operating temperature can accelerate component degradation and reduce fixture life. Facilities handling materials such as grain, pigments, fibers, or carbon often experience particularly rapid buildup.
Proper fixture design can help mitigate these challenges by preventing dust accumulation from interfering with thermal performance.

Chemical Exposure and Industrial Vapors
Many manufacturing processes involve chemicals, solvents, or oils that release vapors or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Over time, these airborne contaminants can interact with lighting equipment, gradually degrading optical materials, and electronic components.
The result may be reduced light output or color shifting that affects visibility in work areas. In certain environments, some vapors may also present ignition risks if lighting systems generate excessive heat or electrical sparks.
Lighting solutions designed for industrial environments often incorporate sealed construction and appropriate certifications where hazardous conditions may exist.

Heat, Moisture, and Corrosion
Industrial facilities frequently operate in elevated temperatures generated by motors, furnaces and other process equipment. High ambient heat places additional stress on LEDs and electronic components, potentially shortening fixture life if thermal management is inadequate.
Moisture and corrosive contaminants can present an additional challenge. Facilities located near coastal environments or those exposed to humidity, washdowns or salt spray may experience accelerated corrosion of fixture housings and mounting hardware. Over time, this corrosion can compromise both lighting performance and fixture integrity.
Lighting systems designed for these environments often incorporate protective finishes, corrosion-resistant materials and sealed enclosures to help maintain durability under these conditions.

Vibration and Mechanical Stress
Continuous vibration from heavy industrial equipment is another factor that can affect lighting reliability. Fixtures mounted near motors, conveyors or other machinery may experience constant mechanical stress over time.
Although LED lighting technology is generally more robust than traditional light sources, poorly designed fixtures can still suffer failures related to vibration. Drivers, electrical connections, and mechanical components may loosen or degrade if they are not engineered to withstand these conditions.
Fixtures tested for vibration resistance and designed with rugged mechanical construction are better suited for environments where equipment operates continuously.

Considering Environmental Conditions in Lighting Design
Lighting plays a critical role in maintaining safe and efficient operations across industrial facilities. However, environmental factors such as dust, chemical exposure, high temperatures, moisture and vibration can all influence how reliably lighting systems perform over time.
Evaluating these environmental conditions during the specification process helps facilities select lighting solutions designed to withstand the realities of industrial operation.
Collaboration between experienced lighting manufacturers and knowledgeable industrial distributors can also help facilities assess these environmental challenges and identify lighting solutions suited to their specific applications.

LEDVANCE, one of the world’s leading companies in general lighting, is raising awareness of the often-overlooked importance of corrosion protection in outdoor luminaires, particularly in demanding environments.

Outdoor lighting is constantly exposed to harsh elements. Without sufficient corrosion resistance, luminaires can fail prematurely, leading to higher maintenance costs, reduced safety, and inconsistent illumination. To prevent this, LEDVANCE emphasises the role of corrosion classifications, such as C4 and C5, which indicate a product’s ability to withstand the most challenging conditions.

Outdoor luminaires face relentless exposure to rain, humidity, salt, and industrial pollutants. Over time, these harsh conditions can corrode metal components, degrade seals, and compromise electrical performance. Without adequate protection, lighting systems fail prematurely, leading to costly repairs, increased energy consumption, and potential safety hazards in critical areas such as ports, factories, and coastal facilities. High corrosion-rated luminaires, such as those meeting C4 and C5 standards, are essential to ensure long-term reliability, reduce maintenance costs, and provide uninterrupted, safe illumination in the environments that need it most.

Engineered for Extreme Durability
LEDVANCE’s FLOODLIGHT FLEX luminaires are specifically designed to resist extreme weather. Features include a smart water flow system to prevent ingress, an integrated breather to reduce condensation, face-up installation capability, and removable rubber plugs for enhanced outdoor reliability. With a C5 corrosion rating, these luminaires are ideal for coastal or industrial environments.

Similarly, the FLOODLIGHT GEN 4 family offers robust performance with C4 corrosion protection. Watertight connections and adjustable brightness settings ensure consistent illumination in any weather, while the durable design supports a wide range of outdoor applications.

Leading the Way in Resilient Lighting Solutions
With outdoor conditions becoming increasingly challenging, corrosion-resistant luminaires play a critical role in ensuring long-term performance, safety, and reliability. As our outdoor environments become more demanding, how can lighting systems be designed to withstand the test of time and the elements?
David Goddard, Head of Projects LEDVANCE UK said, “By combining durability, efficiency, and ease of installation, LEDVANCE delivers lighting solutions that not only withstand the harshest outdoor conditions but also reduce maintenance costs and ensure safety around the clock. With advanced engineering designed for resilience and sustainability, LEDVANCE continues to provide reliable, high-performance illumination wherever it is needed most – giving customers confidence that their lighting will perform, day after day”.

London / UK, April 2026 – TRILUX has opened a new Light Studio in Charterhouse Square, London, creating a dedicated setting where customers can experience lighting solutions, explore applications and collaborate on projects in a working environment.
Located in the heart of London’s design community, the TRILUX Light Studio has been developed to support closer engagement with customers across the UK and beyond. The space reflects the company’s Light. Space. Dialogue. approach, combining inspiration, practical application and collaboration in one place.

A space for light, application and dialogue
The Light Studio brings together multiple functions within one environment, structured around a central ‘sphere of light’ feature. From this focal point, the space is organised into three key areas: a welcome zone, the inspiration stage and a collaboration space, each supporting a different aspect of the customer experience.

Visitors can experience lighting solutions in situ, explore different application scenarios, including office environments, and work alongside TRILUX teams on live projects.

In addition to installed solutions, the studio includes dedicated areas for hands-on collaboration, enabling customers to test ideas, review schemes and develop concepts in real time. The space is also designed to support workshops, events and knowledge-sharing through the TRILUX Akademie.

Supporting closer customer relationships
The opening of the London Light Studio reflects the growing importance of proximity and personal interaction in project development. By establishing a central London location, TRILUX aims to make it easier for customers to connect, collaborate and access expertise.
Based in Charterhouse Square, the studio provides a convenient and well-connected meeting point, supporting more efficient project discussions and long-term relationships.

A strategic hub for the UK and beyond
The London Light Studio forms part of TRILUX’s wider approach to creating spaces that connect customers, projects and expertise across markets, acting as a central hub for both UK-based activity and international collaboration.

Phil Cross, Managing Director, TRILUX UK, comments, “The London Light Studio reflects both our commitment to the UK market and London’s role as an international design hub. With excellent connectivity, including easy access from Heathrow, it provides a natural meeting point for customers and partners working across multiple markets.”
It was officially opened at a VIP event attended by customers and representatives from TRILUX headquarters.

Leighton James, Product & Marketing Director, TRILUX explains, “The Light Studio is about bringing our customers closer to TRILUX in a very practical way. We wanted to create a space where people can experience light, explore applications and have meaningful conversations around their projects.

Being in central London allows us to be more accessible and responsive, while giving our customers a place to meet, collaborate and develop ideas together. It’s not just about showcasing products; it’s about creating an environment that supports how projects are actually delivered today.”

To learn more or arrange a visit to the TRILUX Light Studio, visit: https://www.trilux.com/gb/

Thorn Lighting is pleased to announce that it has been shortlisted for the Venue Technology Award at TheStadiumBusiness Awards 2026 for its work on “The Lighthouse” effect at Sunderland AFC’s Stadium of Light.

Now in their 17th year, TheStadiumBusiness Awards recognise leadership, innovation and achievement across the global stadium and venue sector. The Awards celebrate the organisations, projects and people shaping the future of sports and entertainment venues worldwide.

Delivered in partnership with Sunderland AFC, the project demonstrates how advanced lighting technology can move beyond traditional performance requirements to support both operational efficiency and fan engagement.

At the heart of the scheme is Thorn Lighting’s Altis Gen 5 LED floodlighting system, which not only improves broadcast-quality lighting and reduces energy consumption, but also enables dynamic lighting control. This flexibility has allowed the club to introduce a synchronised light-and-sound pre-match experience, now known as “The Lighthouse”, creating a new matchday ritual for supporters.

“The Stadium of Light project shows how lighting is evolving from infrastructure into experience,” says Neil Thompson Key Account Manager at Zumtobel Group. “With Altis Gen 5, we’re not only delivering broadcast-quality performance and energy savings but also enabling clubs to create moments like ‘The Lighthouse’ that connect with fans in a completely new way.”

“As the world’s leading gathering of stadium and venue leaders, each year TheStadiumBusiness Summit brings together the very best of the industry to showcase what’s new, explore the challenges we face and debate the trends shaping the future,” says Ian Nuttall, Founder of TheStadiumBusiness.

“Alongside the conference and workshops, the Awards recognise the people and organisations who are raising standards and driving innovation across the industry. Congratulations to Thorn Lighting on being named a finalist in TheStadiumBusiness Awards 2026.”

The winners will be announced during TheStadiumBusiness Awards 2026, taking place in Manchester on Wednesday 3 June (18.00–20.30) as part of TheStadiumBusiness Summit 2026.

Designed Power Line Pole, Åre, Sweden

After 14 years of service, Sweden’s first designed power line pole has been revived with new fixtures from Lumenpulse and lighting controls from Pharos Architectural Controls.

Located in Brattland, just outside Åre, the power line pole stands 32 metres high and is a pioneering combination of art and engineering. With the Åreskutan mountains in the background, it has become something of a landmark for those travelling from Östersund.

Stockholm Lighting Company delivered all the hardware, lights and controls at the first installation and for this upgrade. The pole’s lighting is managed by a single universe Pharos Designer LPC controller, an all-in-one control solution that is ideal for interactive and integrated lighting installations. As a rugged, compact unit, the Designer LPC offers complete reliability operating 24/7.

The LPC features individually controllable and independently running timelines and scenes, allowing the user to build dynamic, precise, fully customisable pre-programmed lighting effects with the freedom of real-time manual overrides and the versatility of powerful show control and integration features.

The intuitive system changes expression according to the season, showcasing different colours and lighting schemes to reflect the natural environment around it. The dynamic scenes also celebrate national days in Sweden, and the pole acts as a beacon for visitors to the area.

Lina Strömmer, Managing Director at Stockholm Lighting Company, said: “Many people who pass Brattland see the pole as a welcome signal lighting the way for them. The Designer LPC from Pharos has allowed us to create a fun and flexible system with customisable optics to future-proof the pole and continue to create a design that meets the client’s needs.”

Ryan Sainsbury, Regional Sales Manager for UK. Ireland, N. Europe and Benelux at Pharos Architectural Controls, added: “The dynamic lighting transforms the pole into a visual landmark for the community. By utilising our Designer LPC, this unique structure can provide not just efficient functional power but exciting artistic lighting and scenes that spark the imagination.”

Project Credits

Lighting Controls: Pharos Architectural Controls
Supply & Commissioning: Stockholm Lighting Company

Lighting Design: Light Bureau
Fixture Manufacturer: Lumenpulse

Photography: Kai Piippo

Lucent Lighting have supplied architectural lighting solutions to the Goldwin London flagship store on Broadwick Street in Soho, helping to shape a refined retail environment where architecture and light combine to create an immersive customer experience.

Located in the heart of one of London’s most vibrant creative districts, the store blends contemporary retail design with subtle references to Japanese tradition. The lighting design, developed by There’s Light in collaboration with Lucent Lighting, complements this setting through carefully layered illumination that enhances the environment while maintaining a minimal and considered aesthetic.
Lucent Lighting contributed with a combination of flexible track-mounted luminaires and discreet recessed fittings to achieve this balance.

The TubeLED Mini Quantum High Output for Mains Voltage Track was specified to deliver high-performance accent lighting throughout the retail space. Installed on Mains Voltage Track, the compact luminaires provide the flexibility needed for a modern retail environment, allowing lighting positions to be easily adjusted as displays and collections evolve.

To create a seamless architectural finish, Oculus Trimless luminaires with LED50 One Quantum High Output modules were installed across the ceiling. Designed to integrate discreetly into the architecture, the trimless fittings sit flush within the ceiling plane, maintaining a clean visual line that supports the minimalist interior design.

Lucent’s Trimless Install Kits were used for both solid ceilings and full skim plasterboard ceilings, ensuring precise integration during installation. These kits allow the luminaire housing to be recessed into the ceiling structure before plastering, resulting in a perfectly flush finish once completed. By eliminating visible trims and shadow gaps, the system preserves the purity of the ceiling plane while delivering a high-quality architectural appearance.

In addition to their aesthetic benefits, the installation kits simplify the install process by providing accurate alignment and a secure fixing point for the luminaire. This reduces installation time for contractors and helps prevent issues such as plaster cracking around fittings, ensuring a durable and long-lasting finish.

Together, the lighting scheme provides a layered balance of accent and ambient illumination that highlights product displays while enhancing the natural textures and materials within the space.
John Carey, Specification Sales at Lucent Lighting, said: “A stunning end result. It was a real pleasure to collaborate with There’s Light and play our part in bringing an inspiring architectural vision to reality. Our flexible track lighting and trimless luminaires combine flexibility with seamless integration, becoming part of a lighting design that elevates the space. This is cutting-edge design, an immersive experience that tells a brand story of history and meticulous craftsmanship, whilst keeping the products centre stage.

Through the integration of flexible track lighting and discreet trimless luminaires, Lucent’s solutions support a lighting design that enhances the architecture while delivering the performance and adaptability required for a contemporary retail space.
Fabio A P Cristini of There’s Light added, “For Goldwin’s London flagship, the lighting design was driven by a desire for calmness, clarity and restraint. We carefully balanced accent and ambient light to enhance the materiality of the space and guide the customer journey, while ensuring the scheme remained visually unobtrusive. Close collaboration with Lucent Lighting allowed us to achieve a highly flexible yet discreet solution that supports both the architectural vision and the evolving retail environment.”

Products

TubeLED Mini Quantum High Output – for Mains Voltage Track
Mains Voltage Track
Oculus Trimless with LED50 One Quantum High Output module with Trimless install kits for solid ceilings
Oculus Trimless with LED50 One Quantum High Output module and Trimless install kits (full skim)

Project Credits

Lighting Design: There’s Light
Architect/Designer: New Material Research Laboratory
(Hiroshi Sugimoto and Tomoyuki Sakakida).
Photography: Courtesy of There’s Light Ltd