All Things Aglow

Let the Lighting Begin

2011-09-19T13:43:00.000-07:00

I have officially begun my coursework at Hochschule Wismar's Masters of Architectural Lighting Design program. I am excited about the program and the faculty and I can't wait to continue my education and experience in lighting design. Updates with assignments will follow.

27th Annual IALD Design Awards

2010-06-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

The 27th annual IALD International Lighting Design Awards have been unveiled. The winner of The Radiance Award for their third consecutive year is Speirs and Major Associates for their exterior lighting of the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The project has been featured in numerous lighting design blogs and magazines for the complexity of the concept and, ultimately, the high production value with which it was achieved.

The concept of the project was to light the mosque via projection towers strategically placed throughout the exterior of the facade. The projection work mimics the Islamic calendar which follows the lunar calendar, and is illustrated onto the structure via varying shades of deep hued blues to smoky grays, depending on the phase of the moon, new moon or full moon, respectively.

Architecturally, the project is almost laughable for it's over-the-top Disney theme that only the UAE and, perhaps, mid-western Americans who love Las Vegas, can appreciate. However, as a lighting concept that coordinates itself well with the large, lunar shapes of the domes and the following of Islamic prayer, it's a grand success.

The Utah State Capitol Restoration project received the Award of Excellence. The Beaux Arts-influenced capitol building experienced a lighting overhaul by Randy Burkett Lighting Design Inc. which resulted in reducing the energy by over 60%. Architecturally, the lighting of the structure enhanced the lines of the building. Internally, luminaires which were only known through archival photography were recreated, bringing a new old life to the interiors.

An Award of Merit went to the jewelery shop, Joyeria D in Pamplona, Spain. The lighting design firm associated with the retail shop is Architectural Lighting Solutions from the UK. Architecturally, the shop is such a whimsical play on the motif that it's foolish not to love. Like something from a James Bond movie, the architectural cladding of the interior is made to represent that of a foam-padded jewelery briefcase. All of the indirect lighting in the floor and mill work coves provides a sleek, hospitality-like environment, which I find to be very intimate. Whereas all of the direct lighting is smartly configured above the show counters to provide maximum bling for your bling, while minimizing the squint factor you might experience in many jewelery retail scenarios.

Hochschule Wismar

2010-05-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

I've been accepted to Hochschule Wismar's Masters of Architectural Lighting Program for the fall of 2010. However, I've asked for deferment to attend the fall of 2011 so that I can apply to a scholarship through the Deutsche Akademische Austausch Dienst. My move to Germany to study is slowly coming to fruition. Here goes everything.

PROJECT :: Paper Lampshades :: Part 5

2010-04-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

I installed one of the paper lampshades. It is temporarily installed around the globular pendant lamp that was already hung above the dining room table. I was happy with the look and the glow it gave. The patterning of the lamp mimics the damask wallpaper. I intend to continue to create various paper lampshades and illuminate them using various other sources. Keep'em peeled.

PROJECT :: Installation Wall :: Part 7

2010-03-09T09:58:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to run a test-trial installation of the paper wall. With the much needed help of a friend, we were able to install the mock-up in less than four hours. Below are some photos of the installation process.

A lot was learned about the project during the installation. I developed a new method of installation that I feel will speed the process along greatly. This new method of installation will also take into account the curling of the paper which was opposing to the direction of the arches, causing double inflection to the curvature. Lastly, the largest curve wasn't able to hold its form due to the density/weight of the paper and the scale of the curve. This can be solved by using a heavier weighted paper and a smaller scaled version of the paper wall. Thanks to Matt for the photos and the assistance!

PROJECT :: Installation Wall :: Part 6

2010-02-18T12:29:00.000-08:00

A photo of a maquette of the paper installation wall I made recently. Still some more playing around to do before installing it.

PROJECT :: Paper Lampshades :: Part 4

2010-01-29T12:37:00.000-08:00

Last night I assembled the paper lampshade and placed a light source within it. Here's a photo.

PROJECT :: Paper Lampshades :: Part 3

2010-01-28T15:56:00.000-08:00

With the help of AutoCAD and Sketch Up I was able to render the lampshade I had previously laser cut. I created an animation of the model posted below.

Hindsight is 20/20 and I wished I would have pushed my basic Sketch Up skills further by attempting to create this rendering prior to having the panels cut. I'm not so sure I'm happy with the rendered product. Granted, the concept will change drastically once a light source is placed within the lampshade. You live, you learn. And there's always a chance to design it again. And again.

PROJECT :: Paper Lampshades :: Part 2

2010-01-27T16:53:00.000-08:00

A lot of progress and little blogging has been done in regards to the paper lampshades project I started some time ago. Most of the design and development in regards to this project has been digital, with minor model building. In my previous post, I showed some earlier ideas and models with the original concept.

I have since tweaked the patterning of the lampshade, attempting for something simpler in concept and design, while maintaining the original concept for an organic shape. I created this pattern above using AutoCAD. I built a portion of the lampshade using light-gauge paper and found it was too flimsy to hold itself up in a large format. Thanks to Ana Ramos and Art Center, however, I was able to have this pattern laser cut onto chipboard.

I'm pleased with the patterning of the panels. This portion of the project wouldn't have been possible without the laser cutting technology. Here are some pictures below of the initial development of the lampshade.

The lampshade is large. Perhaps larger than I'd like. The image below has only but a few of the panels attached. I have yet to insert the light source. I'll most likely use several sources being that the cavity within the lampshade is fairly large. More experimenting to follow.

PROJECT :: Installation Wall :: Part 5

2010-01-26T11:05:00.000-08:00

The below images are renderings of the paper wall as it would be potentially installed on billboards in the Silver Lake/Sunset Junction area of Los Angeles.

After reviewing how they'd appear on billboards, I'm uncertain whether or not I care for the aesthetic. The installation might be too far from the human eye to grasp the scale and the complexity. I am now wondering if it might be better to install the paper wall somewhere closer to eye level.

PROJECT :: Installation Wall :: Part 4

2010-01-14T15:35:00.000-08:00

Some developments in dimensioning and other details have been made to the wall. I redrew the wall in AutoCAD and Sketch Up in metric centimeter units of the Fibonacci series.

I might use printed numbers to convey the Fibonacci relationship within the installation.

Or I might otherwise cut slits to represent the numbers of the Fibonacci series. This method might be slightly more abstract but might also provide an interesting effect with shadows.

I might install it on a concrete masonry wall soon in my parking garage to see how it looks and how difficult it is to set-up before installing it somewhere in LA.

PROJECT :: Installation Wall :: Part 3

2010-01-06T16:49:00.000-08:00

I've had some progress with the Fibonacci paper wall. Here are some new images.

Above is a sketch up of the proposed installation paper wall as well as relation to a human scale. Below is the printout that would be required using a large-format printer. The image would be cut and folded appropriately. The length of paper is close to 40', requiring at least that much of installation space.

I still think I will do some adjustments and consider the relationships a little more before finding a location around town, rendering the image onto it, and then, finally, installing.

PROJECT :: Installation Wall :: Part 2

2010-01-05T12:36:00.000-08:00

There have been some developments, if only at least mentally, towards this idea I have for an installation wall. As mentioned in a previous post on the subject, I had considered installing it somewhere around town in a guerrilla fashion. At this point, let that be the premise.

I created the above mock-up animation of the installation using Sketch Up. The patterning and spacing of the wall is paying homage to the Fibonacci Series and Golden Ratio. I'm still experimenting with the patterning of the undulations and how it will be incorporated into the site location I choose. The animation above is drawn based on the original idea of installing it on a blank, white billboard I saw in my neighborhood that has ample sunshine during the day and is also illuminated at night by lights meant to light the advertisement.

The next animation above shows the patterning of shadows that the wall would have if placed on a south facing wall. I am also still experimenting on the idea of having the shadows create more complex patterns that mimic the golden ratio to a greater extent.

The motif is perhaps a statement. By installing this somewhere in LA promotes the fostering of nature and beauty as represented by the Golden Ratio, in a city which I feel lacks much of both. The method of installation, like that of a graffiti artist, is an attempt at expression when other more conventional methods of creative expression are stifled, like weeds growing through cracks.

Above are some images of the Golden Ratio and the Fibonacci Series as they occur in nature.

Lama Concept's LED-Integrated Carpet

2009-12-29T10:01:00.000-08:00

Lama Concept of the Netherlands have created an LED-integrated carpet using machine-cut felt. The carpet has been used as flooring in Airbuses. I imagine the carpet would also serve nicely in places such as movie theaters and performance spaces.

PROJECT :: Installation Wall :: Part 1

2009-12-01T13:36:00.000-08:00

As part of my portfolio for my masters application, I decided to create a mock-up installation art wall that could be created fairly easily with simple products. The intent of the installation wall is to create a pattern of undulating strips of paper that would then be lit from below, casting a pattern of shadows onto the wall.

Below are some photos of the wall being constructed. The process of constructing the wall in model form would be similar to that in a large scale installation set up. The lighting sources would essentially be more powerful and color changing, creating more shadows and patterning onto the wall.

I will post higher quality images of the model with colored gels over the light source to attempt to better present the effect. I think it would look cool on a big blank wall for a holiday party! Or otherwise, I might install this "guerrilla style" somewhere around LA.

Molo Design's Softwall :: Color Me Smitten

2009-11-19T10:26:00.000-08:00

Molo design of Vancouver have created a modular soft wall system of flexible paper and fabric that is lit by LED string lights.

These collapsible units are easily stacked and arranged to create ambient formations. I'm jealous of its simplicity and smitten over its texture, lightness and feel.

If you're interested in this, you should definitely watch the movies they've made on their site showing how easily these structures can be created.

The World's Biggest LED Project to Date

2009-11-18T15:08:00.000-08:00

The YAS Hotel in Abu Dhabi has created the world's largest LED project to date. Created by the lighting design department at Arup based out of New York City, the project used e:cue's lighting application suite 5.1 in order to integrate and program close to 5000 RGBW LEDs by Enfis and Cooper lighting products.

Below are some behind the scenes views of the modeling and the wiring involved in order to program these LEDs. This new technology allows for easier color-changing light sequences to be developed as well as low-resolution video to be played upon the grid shell exterior.
And someone posted a video on youtube of the first test-run.

If you're into lighting, this probably isn't the first time you've heard about this feat. And it also won't be the last.

Golf Clap to Graypants

2009-11-05T13:25:00.000-08:00

I give a little thumbs up to graypants of Seattle who have created these rather enjoyable pendant lamps from scrapped cardboard.

The concept, although simple in its invention, especially if anyone's ever had to build a landscape model out of cardboard, still provides an interesting glow due to the light being filtered through the corrugated structure of the cardboard. If you've read my blog, and seen some of my projects I've created, you know that I am a fan of reusing products. Kudos to graypants for their efforts. At their price point, however, I'd be quicker to make my own than buy theirs.

PROJECT :: Halloween Costume :: Conclusion

2009-11-02T12:02:00.000-08:00

Success!

After spending nearly a week constructing a costume with which I was almost entirely fed up, the end product resulted in lots of dropped jaws from random folks over the Halloween weekend. The above picture is the same photo with some color correction/editing done in order to show the lighting of the skyscraper. The skyline backdrop was drawn in a half an hour on Halloween night when I came up with the idea, hence the general crappiness of it.

Above are some behind the scenes photos showing the lighting, my biplane and me putting on my stilts. The portable, battery operated fluorescent lights packed the needed punch and provided a uniform lighting through out the costume.

Above and below are some photos from wearing the costume out on Friday and Saturday night. The third thumbnail above shows a view from below looking up at me while wearing the costume. Unfortunately the quality of photos I have of me in the costume aren't the greatest, limiting the comprehension of scale and luminosity.

I've since heard that the costume has been tagged as "the best costume in the world" on facebook! After much hard work and a little bit of frustration, I am glad to hear that other people enjoyed the costume. And, lastly, here's a photo of the sweaty man behind the mask.

This project took approximately 15 to 20 hours of design and development, approximately 25 to 30 hours of construction and cost around $150 (after returning some items).

PROJECT :: Halloween Costume :: Part 3

2009-10-29T09:52:00.000-07:00

Oh, jeez! What did I get myself into? As the construction of my costume continues, the size, weight and volume has grown and the hours creep on. I can't help but get that stifling/panicky feeling in these large scale, down-to-the-wire projects where I sometimes think, "I bit off more than I can chew."

The painting of the fabric, although successful in its effect to create opacity, was no less an extremely tedious chore. I detested every moment of it. However, I'm happy with the look and feel of it. I framed the windows with a black Sharpie Magnum. The look after framing with the marker reminded me a lot of Björk's Bachelorette music video directed by Michel Gondry, for some reason. Ok, maybe I used that sharpie too long and had too little sleep.

No less, I was excited to have the painting and markering over with and begin sewing. I am not a very good sewer, but am much happier doing it than painting, I realized. Perhaps it was all due to the fact that I got to sit in a chair, versus hunch over and kneel on the floor. Also, I was excited to see the form come together and even turn on a battery operated fluorescent light to see it glow!

There are portions of the fabric that let light through still that will need some touch-up paint. No less, I was happy with the glow that the portable, battery-operated fluorescent lights emitted.

I ran into some problems, unfortunately, in the engineering of the support straps that will run across the PVC frame over my shoulders to hold up the costume. The solution lies in some 3D statics, I think. I wasn't ever very good at structural engineering calculations. Alas, there are still yet some details that need to be hashed out before I can attach King Kong. The clock is ticking!

PROJECT :: Halloween Costume :: Part 2

2009-10-27T12:04:00.000-07:00

The construction process of my King Kong on the Skyscraper Halloween costume has commenced. With only a few more days before the weekend long Halloween festivities begin, each night is devoted to completing this project.

The frame of the structure is built out of 1/2" diameter PVC pipe. The structure will be suspended with straps over my shoulders and covered in painted fabric. The unpainted portion of the fabric will allow light to filter through the cloth, whereas the painted portion will be opaque.

The images below are of the panels that will be constructed out of cotton fabric and covered in latex paint. It is essentially a depiction how the building is intended to look after being internally illuminated using battery operated fluorscent and LED sources.

Here is a photo of one of the patterns being cut out of paper that I will use to transfer onto the cotton fabric shown below. I intend to paint all of the fabric panels tonight. I'll post tomorrow with updates.

LightShow West Convention, Los Angeles

2009-10-23T12:19:00.000-07:00

I attended my first lighting convention earlier this week. LightShow West in downtown LA's convention center is the only light show focusing on west coast specifiers for lighting products. Commercial, architectural and high end design lighting were all brought together.

I was proud to have a name badge with my well-known company in the industry, and even got to enjoy being misrepresented as a lighting designer. The convention featured free seminars, many in regards to energy efficiency and LEED requirements. The majority of fixtures and light types shown followed in trend with lots of examples of new highly efficient LED lighting sources. The progression of LED technology towards warmer, more natural feeling light was evident and only proved that LED lighting is inevitably the way of the future.

One of my personal favorites at the convention who had both an impressive booth and gorgeous lighting sources were the French Canadian/Italian partnered companies of Sistemalux, Lumenpulse and iGuzzini. I recognized some of their products from the Promenade Samuel-de Champlain project I had blogged about back in September.Their products were even more stunning in real life.

PROJECT :: Halloween Costume :: Part 1

2009-10-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I tend to go "all out" for Halloween. This year is no exception! After some thought, I've decided to be the classic Hollywood image of King Kong on top of the skyscraper. And with the help of flickr, which I suggest anyone does before coming up with a costume concept in order to see how people may have done it before you, I found some variations on the theme. Of course there were plenty of people dressed as King Kong, but nobody dressed as both King Kong and the skyscraper...together. This came close, but not quite what I have in mind.

Above is an initial concept sketch I've drawn for my costume. My lower half of my body will be the skyscraper on stilts, for added height, and my uppper half will be in the King Kong/Gorilla costume. This will also be a lighting project in which I will attempt to light the skyscraper effectively from the inside to have it appear as a building.

Above is a Sketch Up animation of the proposed costume which might give a little more insight as to how the costume is intended to work.

To the left are some quick sketches for my dimensioning and building purposes drawn on AutoCAD. I'll post again later with photos of the skyscraper as it's being built and, of course, the final product. Below are some classical images of King Kong for inspiration. Happy Halloween!

PROJECT :: Light Screen :: Conclusion

2009-10-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

After stringing the cardboard tubes for my light screen project with a heavier gauge fishing line, the project, for my intent, was complete. The heavier gauge fishing line was much more sturdy and allowed for the tubes to stand up as well as bend and undulate with ease.

In conclusion, the project yielded the result for which I was hoping: a transportable room dividing screen with an ambient light source for when guests or visitors want privacy while staying in a living or common room area. In terms of design, a multitude of other materials for the tubes as well as various other light sources could be chosen for the project that would provide a higher quality feel than the ones to which I had access.

The height of the wall is 75" and the span of the mock-up is approximately 36". If more tubes were available the effect of a larger mock-up could have been more visually impacting. Without high quality machining, the light revealing slits of the tubes, I realize, aren't as well spaced as they potentially could have been. Also, the amount of these slits could have been fewer, for the light that was ultimately given off was pretty substantial.

By reimagining materials available and utilizing some engineering and architecture skills, this project was a relative success. This project required approximately 50 hours of design, development and construction and ultimately cost appoximately $30.

Urbanscreen Façade Projections

2009-10-13T15:38:00.000-07:00

A collaboration between Urbanscreen and Daniel Rossa, both of Germany, who creatively altered the perception of the Kunsthalle in Hamburg, has been big around the blogosphere.

And upon some further research, Daniel Rossa, who works independently for Urbanscreen, has done some other interesting multimedia projects utilizing Urbanscreen's technology.

Nordwesthaus Boating Pavilion by Baumschlager Eberle

2009-10-09T10:58:00.000-07:00

I'm definitely not the first to be blogging about this little Austrian "ice block" located on the Port Rohner harbor.

However, I can't help but admit that I am charmed by the lighting of the little joint. The facility from an architectural use standpoint might perhaps miss a few marks - serving as event venue for parties and workshops might prove cumbersome with its large concrete walls and relatively small size. No less, I found the marriage of the concrete with color-changing LED uplighting to be a harmonious one.

I am more and more on the fence lately with the rampant use of color-changing LED effects in architectural lighting that is currently popular. It seems a building can't be lit without it these days. Although I do appreciate the warmth that the design team Baumschlager Eberle of Lochau were able to bring to the space.

The design team had 125 custom LED spotlights developed by Baumschlager Eberle and the famed Austrian light group, Zumtobel. Placed at both the base and at all bottom sills of the voids, these specialty spotlights feature an asymmetrical light distribution as well as a randomized arrangement of LEDS. This asymmetrical light distribution was neccesary in order to cast light uniformly into the concrete voids as well as into the room and onto the walls.

I'll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for more examples of color changing LEDs and concrete. Seeing as photogenic as the two are together, I have a feeling it won't be the last time we see it.

PROJECT :: Light Screen :: Part 2

2009-10-05T08:56:00.000-07:00

After some trials and tribulation with my first attempts at my light screen project, I had much headway over the past weekend.

Using a saw to cut reveals out of the tubes created the clean lines I was looking for in my aesthetic. These clean lines would allow for better light distribution as well.

All the slits were approximately 1 1/2" in length and placed at 2" intervals along the pole. This is how the screen looked after all the slits had been cut. I appreciated the subtle look of the slits and felt as though it corresponded well with the material. After the poles had been arranged in their proper order, the next step was to run the string lights through all of the tubes.

After the string lights were strung through each of the tubes, I then had to use the connection method I had previously described in order to connect all the tubes to form a malleable screen.

Unfortunately, all I had available was light gauge fishing wire which proved to not be sturdy enough for transport. However, I was able to tie all of the tubes together, stand up the screen wall and plug it in!

The final look of the project was pleasing but not without reservations. I enjoyed how the light from the slits played onto the other tubes, as seen below. I also appreciated the randomness in the patterning of light that the string light distribution provided. I do believe the tubes could have used less light reveals, perhaps the slits could have been cut at 4" spacing, for instance. I also feel that the concept of alternating the angle of the slits in respect to the tube could have been an interesting.

The photos of the illuminated screen wall were only taken from my iPhone camera and are of poor contrast and quality. I will post some photos shortly of the screen wall with my SLR that will hopefully show more of the wall's character as well as write a final conclusion to this project.

Mondo Magazine's 50th Issue

2009-09-22T12:20:00.000-07:00

Mondo magazine, specializing in architectural, retail and commercial lighting, is celebrating their 50th issue. Within the issue, I found an article especially interesting to me at my point in my early career in the field of architectural lighting design. The issue had a featured article surveying 50 international lighting design practices, explaining briefly their location, amount of employees, annual turnover and their scope of projects past and present. Quite useful!

PROJECT :: Light Screen :: Part 1

2009-09-03T15:19:00.000-07:00

I've begun work on another portfolio project for submission to the masters of architectural lighting in Wismar, Germany. This project was inspired by a material I've come into contact with in high frequency while working at John Levy Lighting Productions. Printing as often as we do in large format, we are left with many cardboard tubes around which the drafting paper is rolled.
These tubes, as shown here above, measure 30" high and approximately 2" in diameter, have a clean appearance and the color of the unbleached brown paper provides a soft and organic look. I decided it would be possible to make a room divider or screen out of stacking several of these and attaching them together, as seen on the right. In order to make this a lighting project, I thought it could be interesting to illuminate the screen by cutting holes within the tubes and running string lights through each of the tubes.

Here are my initial sketches and notes for the project.
Some experimenting of course had to be done, and I was initially confused as to how I would connect all the tubes, allowing for the tubes to still be flexible and be attached well enough to stack upon each other. I found that after some review, the above connection method listed in my notes would be too bulky and cumbersome. I did a practice run on arranging the tubes using a flexible and partially-elastic synthetic leather rope and tied the tubes together. These are photos of the result.
That connection method proved effective. The partial screen had flexibility and rigidity. I shortened the middle section by cutting one tube in half. The total height of the screen now felt more applicable at 75". The next step was to illuminate the members. This step proved to be a little trickier than expected.

My initial design intent were to create random holes throughout the tube that would let out light when the string lights were passed through each tube. After some thought, I decided it would be interesting to have the holes only run along the edges of the tubes where the tubes met one another. This would create an interesting play with the light on either end of the tube.

However, the material made it difficult to create this aesthetic. When using a drill or various tools, the paper would shred, causing a rough edge around the holes that wasn't very pleasing. These rough edges around the holes also caused an interference with the light, producing an ill-wanted effect onto the other tubes. I had hoped for a clean line of light as interplay onto the other tubes. As seen below, it was hardly the case.

As can be seen from above, the light pattern onto the other tube appears erratic and not uniformly distributed. This is due to the shredding of the paper at the ends of the holes. I decided to go back to the drawing board before continuing the project in order to fix that problem. The intent would be to ensure uniformly distributed bands of light onto the other pole by cutting a clean edge into the soft paper tube.

Here are some new notes on the project, shedding new light into the concept.

El Dorado's Cox Communications Building

2009-08-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

El Dorado sure are getting a lot of attention lately. This small architecture/design firm based out of Kansas City, Missouri, pride themselves in finding creative solutions for their client's needs all while maintaining an edge. Their Cox Communications building in Topeka, Kansas, is no exception.

The client had three requirements for the building: durability, energy efficiency, and a budget of $80 per square foot.
By preserving their client's requests, interesting material choices and a clever lighting solution were made. Mostly using 3500K T5HO fluorescent lamps, El Dorado were able to keep the cost of lighting the building to a minimum. However, by placing them in indirect locations such as coves within the building skin, a clean aesthetic and a soft exterior glow were created.

The firm was able to light pathways and parkways all while using an indirect source and eliminate the need for stand-alone fixtures. The muted and matte material palette of Galvalume steel, concrete and glass are well-paired with fluorescent lighting, creating a look that is affordable and modern without appearing pretentious or vain.

Peltz Theater at the Museum of Tolerance

2009-08-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

The Peltz Theater within Simon Wiesenthal's Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, California received a needed face lift.
The lighting designers associated with the project are the notable Horton Lees Brogden Lighting Design (HLB). One of HLB's more famous projects is the award winning relighting of the famous Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles seen on the right. HLB have received a Special Citation award for the Peltz theater in this month's issue of Architectural Lighting magazine noted for their "exquisite uniform illumination and the sensitive use of color in a lighting scheme."
The real gem is the collaborative design of a coil drape metal scrim that runs along either side of the theater's wall seen here to the right. The scrim addresses both acoustic issues and creates a soothing moiré effect, enhanced by grazing color changing LED covelights. The intensity of the light cast along the scrim can be altered easily by coordination within the control system, alternating between ambient front lighting, or dramatic back lighting.

Promenade Samuel-de Champlain

2009-08-17T14:26:00.000-07:00

The first phase of the Promenade Samuel-de Champlain, completed in June 2008, is a public parkway that runs along the riverside in Quebec, Canada. The whimsical yet direct landscape lighting for the project was designed by Éclairage Public of Canada, who have an extensive portfolio.

The firm utilized various lights from Cooper Lighting, Lumascape, Sistemalux and WE-EF. The bollards by what I believe to be Sistemalux used to light the pathway I found especially intriguing. I appreciated the approach that was taken to graze the pathway, while spike the grass with a strip of light. After reviewing the company's website, I found that they also make a wall mounted version with the same aesthetic, and offer various versions of patterning of light emission.

The minimalist fountain and the equally minimalist lighting approach with its abstract paving pattern, is said to represent thawing river ice floes. And with six more miles of the Promenade yet to be completed, I'll be looking forward to their result.

Les Bains des Docks Public Pool

2009-08-13T14:41:00.000-07:00

Perhaps it is indeed summer outside and I'm often at work, daydreaming of being outdoors. I suppose I can't be blamed then for blogging twice in one week about some amazing swimming pools.

In this month's issue of Architectural Record, the "cover girl" is Les Bains des Docks aquatic center located in France's channel port city of Le Havre. The $29 million public pool appears awfully photogenic, with help, of course, by good material choices and smart lighting.

The water, large skylights and glossy or translucent surface materials provide a calming, and clean ambiance, almost oxymoronic to what one might expect from an affordable, public swimming pool. The only area with any color is the children's play area, seen below.

Although no lighting designer is associated with the interiors, there are feature elements that show the architectural firm, Ateliers Jean Nouvel, had an overall interest in honoring and playing with light in this project. One that especially caught my eye is a transparent film with images of the light patterns refracted in water, as you'd see while opening your eyes underneath a pool, that are attached across skylights. These cast playful patterns on the surrounding white walls and move around the room through-out the day. This mirrored motif of light strikes me as almost tongue-in-cheek, or, at the least, very playful, a rare feat where architectural lighting is concerned.

Unfortunately the only image I had of these stretched fabrics was scanned from the issue of Architectural Record below. The pattern of light is shown on the wall, and although abstract, its concept is charming.

PROJECT :: Paper Lampshades :: Part 1

2009-08-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

As part of my application to the Masters of Architectural Lighting program in Wismar, Germany, I am required to have a portfolio showcasing my involvement and interests in lighting. I will be utilizing this blog as a place to keep notes and photos to show progress on the various concepts on which I'm working.

The first of such projects is a series of paper lamp shades I've constructed out of simple items made easily available to me at my job at John Levy Lighting Productions. Using plotter bond paper, an xacto knife and glue, the intent is to create various ornate and organic shapes that will act as diffusers for light.

Here are the initial notes on the project:
Some of the inspiration behind these lamps comes from Tord Boontje's lampshades and graphics, as seen here. However, the intent of my lampshades will be more structural and symmetrical, finding harmony in repeating patterns rather than in familiar images, as Boontje has done.

Here are two close-ups of plotted patterns that would be cut out. With AutoCAD, these images can be easily plotted at various sizes to make the piece larger or smaller. Using both the cut out shape and the background as part of the lampshade, symmetrical, intricate and organic shapes can be created.
Here is a photo of a miniature mock-up version of one of the lampshades. The intent will be to create larger variations on this theme using bond or vellum paper, and hanging as a pendant lamp with a dimmable incandescent light source. Although merely conceptual at this point, the outcome of any design is difficult to determine unless one tries.

Limerick House Spa

2009-08-11T08:50:00.000-07:00

When I first saw these photos of the Limerick House Spa in Ireland, I realized the potential light can have in creating a dynamic environment. It would seem all too often that lighting is an afterthought, especially when it comes to pools. Within this underground retreat, however, it is made immediately clear that there had to be some clever coordination between architect and lighting designer. In order to create the ambient space, most of the light sources are concealed within architectural elements, while color changing capabilities provide versatility in mood.

The project is a 2009 International Association of Lighting Design (IALD) award winner within the residential category. Graham Rollins of Lighting Design International based out of London was the senior lighting designer. This was the press release from IALD regarding the project, offering insight and perspective.

Fiber Optic Ribbon

2009-08-10T09:32:00.000-07:00

While flipping through a brochure from Visual Lighting Technologies based out of Lake Forest, California, I found a product that they've created called Ribbon Fiber made of flexible PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) made in the tradition of Japanese fishing net that can be used to wrap around the countours of trees. Utilizing high intensity light and a color changing wheel, this Ribbon Fiber offers a lot of, well, flexibility.

Here are some other images of this Ribbon Fiber product used in the Roppongi Hills area of Tokyo, Japan, for a Christmas theme where a series of 14 trees were wrapped.

Let There Be Light!

2009-08-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

With anticipation of applying to the Masters of Architectural Lighting program at the Hochschule Wismar in Wismar, Germany for the fall of 2010, I have decided to start a blog that will showcase my inspiration, concepts, projects and ideas. This is that blog.