Category: industry updates

Dialight, the world leader in industrial LED lighting innovation, is marking the 30th anniversary of National Safety Month by highlighting how high-performing, industrial-grade LED lighting can help reduce risks, support compliance, and improve overall operational efficiency, particularly in harsh industrial worksites and conditions. National Safety Month, established by the National Safety Council, is a nationwide initiative focused on reducing preventable injuries, one of the leading causes of workplace and community fatalities.

In industrial facilities, where employees operate around heavy machinery, hazardous materials, elevated workspaces and around-the-clock production schedules, visibility plays a critical role in reducing the risk of injury or even death. In these intense environments, lighting must do far more than simply illuminate a space. Lighting must perform reliably in challenging conditions, maintaining consistent light levels and supporting workers in making safe and accurate decisions throughout their shift. This year’s campaign continues to focus on practical, action-led safety improvements across workplaces, roads, and communities.

Poorly lit environments are a key contributor to slips, trips, falls and contact with equipment, while inadequate illumination can make it more difficult for workers to identify hazards, navigate safely and perform tasks accurately. High-pressure sodium lights, in comparison to LED, can cause difficulty in distinguishing colors, putting workers at risk of misinterpreting color cues from warning placards, signs, or electrical wiring. Research has shown that clear visibility of workplace hazards can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries by as much as 60%. LED lighting delivers appropriate levels of illumination for alertness, color perception, and reducing fatigue.

Alongside the performance of lighting, reliability is equally important. Maintenance activities, such as frequently changing light bulbs, pose safety concerns for workers as many take place at heights with risks of electrocution and falls from elevation. Unlike traditional lighting technologies that often require frequent maintenance or experience lengthy restart times following a power interruption, industrial-grade LED systems are designed for long operating life and instant illumination.

Reliability is particularly important in harsh and hazardous industries where environmental conditions can place significant demands on lighting infrastructure. Exposure to vibration, extreme temperatures, dust, moisture, corrosion and unstable power conditions can all affect lighting performance and, if not properly addressed, create additional operational and safety risks. In addition, HPS lighting emits high levels of unsafe UV radiation. Potent neurotoxin Mercury can be released by accidental breakage during use or disposal, particularly during maintenance. LED lighting fixtures are a safer alternative, containing zero hazardous materials.

Modern industrial LED lighting has transformed the way facilities approach these maintenance challenges. High-performance LED solutions provide bright, uniform illumination that improves visibility across work areas, walkways, stairwells and operational zones. Enhanced color rendering and near-daylight lighting conditions can help workers identify potential hazards more quickly and perform detailed tasks with greater accuracy.

Beyond accident prevention, lighting also contributes to wider operational performance by supporting productivity, improving employee comfort and wellbeing, and helping organizations maintain compliance with industry safety standards and regulations. As businesses continue to modernize their operations, lighting increasingly forms part of broader initiatives focused on operational excellence, workforce welfare and sustainability.

Dialight is proud to contribute to the performance of workplaces by providing industry-leading lighting solutions. Dialight offers a 10-year warranty and long LED fixture lifespan, which helps to significantly reduce the dangerous task of maintaining industrial lighting at elevated heights, while clear illumination helps to identify risks and prevent costly mistakes or accidents.

For Dialight, National Safety Month provides an opportunity to highlight the important role that lighting plays in creating safer, more productive workplaces. Each week in June highlights a different safety priority, including slips, trips and falls, reinforcing the importance of visibility and hazard prevention in industrial environments.

Diener Arellanes, the Head of Operations and Plant Manager – Ensenada, at Dialight said: “As National Safety Month encourages organizations to strengthen their commitment to safety, lighting remains one of the simplest yet most impactful ways to help create workplaces where employees can work safely, confidently and effectively.

We believe that lighting is a critical component of any comprehensive workplace safety strategy, and a key consideration when implementing infrastructure. In harsh and hazardous applications, dependable lighting is an absolute necessity. By investing in the right environment, including reliable, high-quality lighting, organizations can protect their workforce while supporting compliance, improving operational efficiency and contributing to employee wellbeing.”

Delivering lighting across teaching, performance, library and
public spaces, TRILUX supplied 6,691 luminaires for the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for
the Humanities at the University of Oxford — one of the University’s most ambitious
building projects. The scheme combined bespoke product development with TRILUX’s
standard portfolio.

At the heart of Oxford’s Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the
Humanities brings teaching, research, performance and public engagement together within a
single cultural campus. Designed by Hopkins Architects with Max Fordham as M&E engineers and
lighting designers, and delivered by main contractor Laing O’Rourke, the project represents the
largest single building development ever undertaken by the University.

TRILUX played a central role in delivering the lighting for the Schwarzman Centre, supplying 6,691
luminaires across the building, including general, architectural and emergency lighting solutions.
The building combines academic facilities, performance venues, libraries and public spaces across
more than 25,000 square metres and has achieved Passivhaus certification.

A Lighting Strategy for Complex Spaces
The diversity of spaces within the Schwarzman Centre required a flexible lighting approach
capable of supporting both specialist performance environments and everyday academic use. Key
architectural areas such as the main entrance, Great Hall and concert venue required carefully
integrated lighting solutions, while teaching spaces, circulation areas and study environments
demanded efficient, reliable illumination.

Lighting across the site uses wireless lighting control. TRILUX supplied wireless luminaires with
Bluetooth connectivity throughout the building, supporting flexible scene setting, zoning and real-
time lighting adjustment across the campus.

Bespoke Meets Standard

A key element of TRILUX’s contribution to the project was the development of a bespoke luminaire
for the library spaces. The solution was designed to deliver uniform vertical illumination across
library shelving, ensuring consistent light levels from top to bottom while maintaining visual comfort
for users.

Achieving this level of performance from a compact luminaire profile required careful optical
design, allowing the fitting to deliver multiple light angles from a single channel. The bespoke
solution formed part of the proposal that helped secure the project.
Alongside this bespoke development, TRILUX supplied luminaires from its standard portfolio
across the wider building, ensuring consistency of lighting quality while supporting efficient
installation and maintenance.

Amongst others, Finea linear luminaires were installed extensively across teaching spaces, offices,
and circulation areas, while Sonnos downlights were widely used throughout social and shared
environments. In performance and service areas, Oleveon and Aragon luminaires provided robust,
reliable illumination. Office environments were supported by Siella G5 suspended luminaires, with
Onplana downlights used across a range of working spaces.
Together, these solutions formed a coordinated lighting approach across the diverse environments
within the building.

Supporting Passivhaus Performance

Sustainability was a core principle of the Schwarzman Centre design. As a Passivhaus-certified
building, the project required highly efficient building systems and careful coordination across
disciplines.
TRILUX’s lighting solutions support these ambitions through high-efficiency luminaires and
intelligent control, helping to minimise energy consumption while maintaining appropriate lighting
quality across academic, cultural and public spaces.

Collaboration on a Complex Project

Collaboration across the project team played a key role in delivering the lighting strategy. TRILUX
worked closely with Max Fordham, Laing O’Rourke and other partners to ensure the lighting
solutions aligned with architectural intent, construction methodology and long-term operational
requirements.
The project demonstrates TRILUX’s ability to support complex, large-scale developments through
a combination of bespoke design capability, reliable product solutions and flexible lighting control.

A Future-Ready Cultural and Academic Space

The completed Schwarzman Centre provides a flexible environment that supports teaching,
research, performance and public engagement. The lighting strategy plays an important role in
shaping these spaces, creating environments that are comfortable, adaptable and efficient.
As one of the University of Oxford’s most significant building projects, the Schwarzman Centre
highlights how lighting design, product innovation and collaboration can support world-class
academic and cultural environments.

Advanced lighting control technology from Pharos Architectural Controls is helping deliver an inclusive and immersive sensory experience at the new Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre, a world-class venue in Christchurch, New Zealand. Started in 2018 and completed in 2025, the redevelopment is a cornerstone of post-earthquake regeneration in the city.

Now set to become one of New Zealand’s premier aquatic and recreation destinations spanning 32,000 square metres, the Parakiore facility has been designed to provide accessible and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages and abilities. As part of the development, a new Sensory Aqua Centre was created to deliver a dedicated interactive sensory room. Combining lighting, water effects and integrated control systems, the space offers a safe, adaptable environment that promotes relaxation, sensory stimulation and meaningful interaction for its users.

Lighting controls specialist Annelise Goodwin of LS Group was appointed to deliver the lighting controls solution for the sensory room via Grant Robertson of The Light Site. The design brief called for a highly flexible and intuitive system capable of supporting multiple room states, interactive experiences and personalised user settings, while integrating seamlessly with wider building operations.

At the heart of the installation is a single-universe Pharos Designer LPC controller with two Pharos four-port DMX repeaters. Together with a Q-SYS integration platform, the system enables sophisticated control across interactive water features, lighting zones and sensory elements.

The Designer LPC provides the processing power and reliability required for the complex installation, managing more than 100 custom scripts and over 400 commands across the sensory environment. Through a combination of LUA scripting and the Pharos API, the project team developed advanced control functionality that allows dynamic timeline shuffling for the bubble wall installation, as well as simplified recall of individual timelines without the need to create hundreds of separate triggers.

The system controls 10 interactive water features, four non-interactive water features, lighting across four separate zones and an integrated bubble wall feature. Q-SYS is utilised to trigger commands within the Pharos system, allowing the various sensory experiences to operate seamlessly together while providing intuitive control for staff and users.

To enhance accessibility and ease of operation, the installation includes five customisable user presets for regular instructors and returning guests, alongside five base room states (Calm, Colourful, Full Room, Party, Interactive). These presets allow the sensory environment to adapt quickly to different users, activities and therapeutic requirements.

The system also integrates with the wider building management system (BMS), using relay triggers to automatically respond to occupancy and operational states, including open, closed, cleaning and unoccupied modes. This intelligent automation ensures the sensory room remains both energy efficient and easy to manage as part of the wider facility.

Annelise Goodwin of LS Group, said: “The goal was to create a sensory space that was immersive, adaptable and easy for staff and visitors to interact with. Pharos gave us the flexibility to develop highly customised scripting and control functionality, while still maintaining a reliable and intuitive user experience throughout the installation.”

From a Pharos perspective, the project demonstrates how lighting and show control technology can support accessibility and inclusivity within public environments.

Tony Symms, Regional Sales Manager for Asia Pacific at Pharos Architectural Controls, added: “Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre is a fantastic example of how intelligent control systems can create meaningful and engaging experiences for users of all abilities. By combining an LPC with advanced scripting, API integration and Q-SYS control, the team has delivered a highly responsive sensory environment that showcases the creative flexibility of Pharos technology.”

The result is a future-ready sensory space that combines lighting, water and automation to deliver calming, interactive and engaging experiences, reinforcing Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre’s commitment to accessibility, wellbeing and inclusive community design.

Project Credits

Client: Christchurch City Council

Project: Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Lighting Controls: Pharos Architectural Controls

Lighting Controls Integration: LS Group – Annelise Goodwin

Lighting Supplier: The Light Site – Grant Robertson

Integration Partner: New Wave

DW Windsor, a leading provider of high-quality lighting solutions for the built environment, has announced a new partnership with Italian architectural lighting manufacturer Arcluce, introducing its full range of interior luminaires to customers across the UK.

The partnership expands DW Windsor’s product portfolio, giving architects, lighting designers, specifiers and consultants access to Arcluce’s established interior lighting range.

Arcluce is recognised for its focus on visual comfort, product quality and architectural design. Its portfolio includes recessed downlights, pendants, track lighting, ceiling luminaires and other architectural lighting solutions developed for a wide range of commercial, hospitality, retail, museum and gallery applications.

The addition of Arcluce introduces a new area of lighting to the DW Windsor portfolio, broadening the company’s ability to support projects across the built environment. For existing customers working across both interior and exterior spaces, it also provides the opportunity to coordinate lighting requirements as part of a wider scheme.

Through the partnership, DW Windsor can now provide access to high-quality Italian interior luminaires alongside its established exterior lighting expertise, offering customers greater choice and a more comprehensive lighting offer from a single supplier.

Steven Meredith, Interior Lighting Lead at DW Windsor, commented: “Arcluce is a strong addition to the DW Windsor portfolio, bringing a high-quality interior lighting range with a clear focus on visual comfort, product quality and architectural design. It allows us to support a broader range of projects, while giving customers the option to bring interior and exterior lighting requirements together through one supplier.”

Biagio Di Sano, Managing Director at Arcluce, commented: “We are pleased to be working with DW Windsor to bring Arcluce’s interior lighting range to customers in the UK. DW Windsor’s reputation for quality, technical knowledge and project support makes them a strong partner for Arcluce, and we look forward to supporting architects, designers, specifiers and consultants through this collaboration.”

Arcluce’s full interior lighting range is now available in the UK through DW Windsor.

Dialight, the global leader in industrial and hazardous-location LED lighting, will be exhibiting at Reuters Events: Downstream USA 2026, taking place next month in Houston, Texas.

Dialight will be showcasing its latest high-performance lighting solutions where delegates are invited to meet the team and learn more about lighting technology designed to support safety, reliability and efficiency in demanding downstream environments.

Bringing together over 3,000 senior leaders, engineers, project owners and solution providers from across the refining and petrochemical sectors, Downstream USA is one of the industry’s key events for discussing the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of downstream operations. For Dialight, the event provides an important platform to connect with professionals looking for robust lighting solutions that can perform in critical applications and harsh operating conditions.

Dialight’s industrial LED lighting range is designed to deliver reliable performance in challenging applications, supporting safety, efficiency, and long-term durability across a variety of critical environments. At the show, the team will be available to discuss project needs, technical requirements and the lighting challenges faced by facilities operating in harsh and complex conditions.

There will be strong representation from the Dialight team with Bryan White, Director of Sales; Ryan Morgan, Director of Specification Sales; Mark Edgar, Director of Strategic Accounts; Justin Casey, Director of Strategic Accounts; Bubba Hart, Regional Sales Manager; and Branson Hall, Field Sales Associate all attending the show.

“We’re looking forward to joining the downstream community in Houston and speaking directly with the teams shaping projects across the sector,” said Steve Blair, CEO of Dialight. “Events like Downstream USA are a valuable opportunity to share ideas, understand evolving project needs and demonstrate how the right lighting can support safer, more efficient and more dependable operations.”

CareCo’s Braintree HQ has been transformed into a bright, modern workplace that reflects the company’s identity and supports a more connected way of working. Following a catastrophic fire in September 2023, the 2 year rebuild worked to create a renewed headquarters designed around collaboration, wellbeing and a stronger sense of belonging.

Located in the heart of Braintree, the 4,500m² scheme brings teams back together under one roof in a carefully considered environment that balances functionality with atmosphere. The new workplace includes open-plan team areas, a central atrium café, quiet zones, training and product display spaces, breakout areas, an outdoor terrace and a fully equipped gym, all contributing to a more flexible and inspiring day-to-day experience for staff.

Working alongside Globegold, CareCo, and the wider project team, Light Forms helped deliver a lighting scheme that supports the architectural and interior vision throughout the building. The design needed to sit naturally within a space shaped by recovery and renewal, while also creating a practical, welcoming and future-focused HQ for the business.

A carefully layered lighting approach was developed to help bring the space to life. MoonBand was adapted to create the custom walking-stick chandelier, turning a core Light Forms product into a brand-led feature that celebrates CareCo’s identity in a unique and elevated way. Nova Medium 62 Flush is used extensively throughout circulation routes and workspaces, providing clean, comfortable general illumination with excellent glare control and consistency from area to area. TinCan Large is introduced where more focused, intimate lighting is needed – such as breakout spaces and informal meeting zones – helping to create pools of light that support concentration and conversation while keeping the overall scheme visually coherent.

These core luminaires are supported by a wider family of Light Forms products, including LP2.5 and LP3.5 linear profiles, 3C DALI track, Panel 6060 and Nova 91 Surface, which are used to fine-tune the lighting to each space and task. Together, they allow the scheme to shift seamlessly between open-plan work areas, training rooms, circulation spaces and social zones, while maintaining a calm, unified visual language throughout the building.

Interior graphics developed by CareCo’s in-house designer, together with bespoke joinery and product-led installations, add another layer of personality to the project. From artwork made using scooter components to a unique custom chandelier incorporating CareCo walking sticks, the fit out gives each space its own identity and reinforces the brand throughout the building.

Sustainability also played an important role in the redevelopment, with solar PV, smart building management systems and sustainable interior finishes all contributing to the building’s performance. The result is a workplace that feels considered and resilient, with lighting helping to tie together the architecture, interior design and everyday user experience.

John Pryor, Property and Development Advisor at CareCo, said “The rebuild of our Braintree HQ was an opportunity to create a more connected, inspiring workplace for our team. Lighting played a key role in bringing that vision to life, and in conjunction with Cann Creative, Light Forms delivered a scheme that enhances both the functionality and atmosphere of the space, helping to create a welcoming environment that truly reflects CareCo.”

Paul Shoosmith, Director at Light Forms, commented “CareCo’s new HQ is a strong example of how lighting can support both the practical and emotional qualities of a workplace. Our aim was to deliver a scheme that felt calm, confident and flexible, while helping the building reflect the character and ambition of the business.”

Together, the lighting and interior design have helped create a headquarters that supports CareCo’s people, celebrates its identity and provides a renewed foundation for the future.

Project credits:

End Client: CareCo & Globegold

Project Manager, QS and Contract administrator: Dudley Smith Partnership

Structural Engineers: Peter Dann Associates

Architect:A DT Architects

Interior Design: Cann Creative

M&E Designer: CPW

Management Contractor: Rose Builders

Lighting: Light Forms

Photography Credit: Son of Jack

The Silhouette Awards, co-founded by Eve Gaut and Katia Kolovea, marked its fifth milestone anniversary year on 4th June 2026 with an in-person celebration at the BDP in London, bringing together more than 85 lighting professionals alongside a global programme of speakers, mentors, mentees, and international contributions from across the lighting industry.

Established in 2021, the Silhouette Awards were created to address a gap within the lighting industry: while many awards recognise completed work and established practice, few focus on the people shaping the profession – particularly those at the beginning of their careers. Built as a global mentorship platform, the programme connects emerging lighting designers with experienced practitioners to build guidance, knowledge-sharing, and long-term professional development. Now in its fifth year, the initiative has grown into a truly international community spanning 100 mentor-mentee pairings, 42 countries, and a continuously expanding network of practitioners committed to supporting the next generation of lighting designers.

The celebration event was structured as a two-part experience, beginning with a conference programme that featured keynote talks, mentor + mentee conversations, emerging voices, and international contributions from across the Silhouette Awards network. This was followed by a celebration and networking reception where guests gathered for drinks, food, meaningful conversations, and entertainment.

A key moment of the conference element was the contribution of the Silhouette Awards ‘Global Voices’, featuring recorded reflections from lighting professionals across India, the UAE, Hong Kong, Australia, Greece, Costa Rica, Bangladesh, the United States, Russia, and beyond. These voices reinforced a central message that while careers unfold across different countries, cultures, and time zones, the challenges, ambitions, and opportunities within the lighting industry remain remarkably similar. Contributors included Iftikhar Ilyas, Siddharth Mathur, Eugenia Cheng, Dr Emrah Baki Ulas, Petros Kitsantas, Sudipti Varadharajan, Valeria Coghi, Sam Koerbel, Farahbee Rahman, Anthony G., Valery Gorelova, Martin Klaasen, and Mashaarah Bhatia, each sharing personal insight, encouragement, and reflection for the next generation of designers.

Alongside this, the event featured a speaker programme shaped by the Silhouette community itself, including Michael Grubb (Year 1 Mentor) delivering the opening keynote, alongside Melissa Toasa and Sacha Abizadeh (Year 4), Tiago Winer and Fabiana Nery Pardhanani (Year 4), Gary Thornton (Year 2 Mentor), Marci Song (Year 1 Mentor), Xueqi Du (Year 5 Mentee), Maria Laura Polselli (Year 5 Mentee), Tiziana Regalado (Year 4 Mentee), Andra Munro (Year 3 Mentee), and Kristina Allison CEng FSLL MCIBSE (Year 2 Mentor). Each speaker contributed with perspectives shaped by mentorship, career development, and the defining experiences that shape a lighting design career.

Across both the conference and the networking celebration, the evening highlighted how mentorship within the Silhouette Awards extends beyond structured guidance, creating lasting relationships that support confidence, identity, and professional growth. What made the evening particularly special was the people who brought it to life. Mentors generously shared their experience, mentees openly reflected on their journeys, and speakers contributed with honesty, personal insights and courage. The celebration was further enriched by a live saxophonist – Stacey Westbrook from Parrot PR and Marketing, alongside a silhouette artist creating bespoke keepsakes for guests, adding to an atmosphere filled with food, drinks, laughter, and a strong sense of community.

At its core, the ambition of the Silhouette Awards remains unchanged: to embed mentorship as a fundamental part of professional life within the lighting industry, ensuring emerging designers have access to the guidance, insight, and support needed to thrive.

Eve Gaut, Parrot PR and Marketing, said, “Reaching our fifth year is a real milestone for the Silhouette Awards, but what matters most to us is the community that has grown around it. The honesty, generosity, and commitment of everyone involved continue to shape this programme in ways we could never have predicted.”

Katia Kolovea, Archifos, added, “The lighting industry is global, but what connects us is far deeper than geography – it’s shared challenges, ambition, and a willingness to support one another. The Silhouette Awards has always been about creating space for those connections to happen, and seeing mentors, mentees, and global voices come together like this was incredibly powerful.”

The Silhouette Awards extends a sincere thanks to the specific event sponsors for their invaluable support in making the 5th anniversary celebration possible. Conference Sponsor Signify Lighting Academy, Evening Reception Sponsor Studio Due, Entertainment Sponsor formalighting, Official Tote Bag Sponsor OneEightyOne, Official Press Partner darc media, and Venue Partner BDP.

Applications for the next round of the Silhouette Awards open mid-September 2026 for mentees, with the Mentor Open Call for the 2026–2027 cohort already live. The programme welcomes emerging lighting designers with up to 8 years’ experience as mentees, and experienced practitioners with 15+ years in the field as mentors.

The Silhouette Awards is a collaboration between Parrot PR and Marketing and Archifos. Further information and updates are available at silhouetteawards.com

Dunottar School has raised the bar for school productions with a visually and technically ambitious staging of Les Misérables, delivering a show that audiences described as “almost like watching a West End performance.”
Technically led by Ted Swan, Theatre and AV Manager, and working collaboratively with Director of Drama Sarah van Duijvenvoorde and Director of Music Laura Channell, the production formed the centrepiece of the school’s centenary celebrations. The brief was clear: create a showstopping experience that matched professional theatre standards while operating within the constraints of a school environment.

“We wanted to go a step further,” said Swan. “It’s our 100th year, so we needed everything to feel brilliant and as impactful as possible.”
Despite having a dedicated theatre, Dunottar faced technical challenges. Limited rigging capacity and weight restrictions required careful design decisions to maximise visual impact without compromising safety.
Working collaboratively with White Light, Swan selected lightweight yet powerful fixtures such as Ayrton Diablo fixtures. This approach allowed for a denser, and more dynamic rig while staying within structural limits.
“We had to be really careful with what we could hang,” Swan explained. “The guidance from White Light helped us choose the right tools to still achieve the effects we wanted.”
The design extended beyond traditional overhead rigs. For the first time, lighting fixtures were integrated directly into the set, including blinders and side lighting positioned within the staging itself. Custom rigging points were engineered into the set build, creating new creative possibilities and enhancing the visual storytelling.

The production drew inspiration from established professional staging, incorporating a tiered set design reminiscent of Evita, constructed by Steel Deck. Combined with a fully mic’d live band, including musicians with West End credits, the result was an immersive and authentic theatrical experience.
Swan’s vision was rooted in his professional theatre background and a commitment to giving students access to industry standards.
“I want them to experience what real theatre looks and feels like,” he said. “If they go on to further study or careers in the arts, it shouldn’t be the first time they encounter this level of equipment.”
White Light’s hire service played a critical role in enabling Dunottar to scale its production. Alongside an expanded lighting package and special effects such as low fog systems, the school benefited from responsive technical support and expert advice throughout the process.
“White Light’s support always proves invaluable under pressure, and we know we are in safe hands. I’ve worked with Adam Walker-Cheetham, WL’s Key Account Manager, for many years, and his level of responsiveness gives you complete confidence.”

Adam commented: “We’ve very much enjoyed working with Ted and Dunottar over the years. Our collaborative approach extends from initial planning through to design, with regular consultation ensuring the technical solution aligns with both creative ambition and budget constraints.”
“You can talk through ideas and find the right approach together,” Swan added. “There’s always a way to make it work.”

A key outcome of the production was hands-on student engagement with professional-grade technology. Students operated the ETC Gio @5 lighting desk, executing more than 480 cues during performances, while working alongside Swan in a real-world production environment.
This experience is central to Dunottar’s approach. By integrating industry-standard tools such as DiGiCo sound desks and advanced lighting systems, the school equips students with practical skills and confidence.

“They’re not just learning theory,” Swan said. “They’re actually doing it, using the same equipment they’ll see in professional venues.”
Audience response reflected the success of this approach, with feedback praising both performance quality and technical execution.
“The lighting elevated everything,” Swan said. “We achieved effects we’ve never been able to do before, and it made a huge difference to the overall production.”
For other schools considering how to balance ambition with budget, Swan’s advice is clear. “Trust the expertise available to you and invest where it matters. The impact on your production is enormous.”

Photo courtesy of Dunottar School

Leading lighting manufacturer Ansell Lighting has launched Go-Cell, a complete plug-and-play LED strip kit to simplify installation.

Designed for greater flexibility and professional results, the product is supplied as a coordinated kit of a 5m reel of Ansell’s popular C-CELL LED strip, a compatible 24V driver a remote and receiver.

Flexible and straight connectors are also included, along with a pre-fitted mains lead to ensure a fast and straightforward installation.

Manufactured with continuous phosphor technology, the Go-Cell strip kit delivers seamless, dot-free illumination in warm and cool white, RGBTW and RGBW Pixel. The RGBW Pixel versions also offer individually addressable LEDs for dynamic effects.

Ideal for use in residential, retail and hospitality environments, the kit removes any on site guesswork and ensures consistent performance across every project.

Mark Abbott, Managing Director at Ansell Lighting said: “We’re always striving to deliver innovative and versatile products, especially across our LED range, which has become hugely popular with installers and designers since its launch. Go-Cell simplifies installation even further to deliver smooth, professional output. We believe it will be a valuable product for installers, who can eliminate the need for soldering thanks to the plug-and-play connections.”

For more information visit www.ansell-lighting.com

Pharos Architectural Controls are bringing joy and happiness to fans of the Smurfs by playing an important part in creating an immersive indoor Smurf-themed experience at Plopsaland Deutschland.

Plopsaland Deutschland is one of the major family theme park destinations in Germany and part of the Plopsa Group portfolio. The park combines popular children’s entertainment brands with large-scale attractions, drawing families from across Germany, France, and the Benelux region. A recent addition to the park is The Smurfs’ Adventure ride, a journey through the fun and lively world of the Smurfs, where visitors join the gang on an exciting adventure.

To bring the new ride to life, Lux Lumen – experts in lighting solutions for unique spaces – were appointed to the project. Lux Lumen, a preferred supplier for Plopsa parks across Europe, and a Pharos partner, were confident that Pharos technology could deliver the experiential elements of the new ride.

Lux Lumen supplied and installed over 400 custom fixtures across 11 cabinets, each with individual control via an Art-Net network, allowing precise, independent manipulation of multiple lighting fixtures and devices. To create a truly engaging visitor experience, a single four-universe Pharos Designer LPC controls all custom full-RDM light fixtures.

The LPC also triggers all audio, video and projection systems, special effects, aroma scent machines and animatronics, creating a fully immersive adventure for visitors. Beyond entertainment control, the LPC integrates with the Operator Console for ride operation and system monitoring, the KeySwitch system for secure mode selection and activation, and the EVAC interface to ensure coordinated emergency shutdown and evacuation responses when required.

The LPC was the first product developed by Pharos and is still its most popular controller. Originally designed for theme parks in the US, it brought together just the right amount of lighting control and show control in a compact, robust package, making it the ideal choice for this project. The LPC features individually controllable and independently running timelines and scenes, and offers the freedom of real-time manual overrides, with the versatility of powerful show control and integration features. With a compact form and minimal power requirements, the LPC can be installed anywhere.

Integration was the responsibility of Pieter Dewaegeneere at Plopsa. Pieter had previously been trained by Lux Lumen on Pharos technology, allowing him to easily integrate all the audio and video triggers. Lux Lumen also assisted with programming and delivered tech support for Pharos products at the theme park.

Tom Mampaey, R&D Engineer at Lux Lumen, said, “The Smurfs’ Adventure is a fantastic example of how integrated technology can transform a themed attraction into a truly immersive experience. We needed a control solution that was reliable and easy to integrate across the entire ride environment. Pharos delivered exactly that. The flexibility and robustness of the Designer LPC allowed us to create precise synchronisation between all show elements, helping bring the world of the Smurfs to life for every visitor.”

Ryan Sainsbury, Regional Sales Manager for the UK, Ireland, N. Europe and Benelux at Pharos, added, “It was great to see Pharos solutions being used on The Smurfs’ Adventure ride; it’s a pleasure knowing that we are helping to create memorable experiences at Plopsaland Deutschland. The Designer LPC is an incredible piece of kit – remaining small in profile yet powerful, flexible and dynamic. It has delivered everything required for this immersive ride and demonstrates the suitability of the LPC for theme parks and similar tourist attractions across the globe.”

The introduction of the Pharos solutions to Plopsaland Deutschland adds to the growing portfolio of Pharos technologies operating in theme parks. Many of these are part of the Plopsa Group and were supplied and installed by Lux Lumen, demonstrating their powerful partnership and exceptional capabilities when teamed together.

Project Credits:

Client: Plopsaland Deutschland

Lighting Controls: Pharos Architectural Controls

Concept Design: Kurt Heerman

Project Manager Theming: Maarten Wilssens

Project Manager Technics & Programming: Pieter Dewaegeneere

Custom Fixtures, Cabinets, Full Light Installation & Pharos Tech Support: Lux Lumen

Décor, Scenic Design & Fabrication: Jora Vision

LF Studios: Animatronics: LF Studios

Light Design & Light Programming: PWL

Photography credits, Official Marketing Images: Plopsaland Deutschland, courtesy of Lux Lumen