< PreviousSpecial Report commercialinteriordesign.com February 2022 30 OPINION T he defi nition of smart lighting has changed signifi cantly, as have its capabilities. Whereas it was previously seen as a tech- driven tool for futuristic designs, smart lighting has become an integral feature of contemporary commercial spaces. Innovations in lighting controls have led to increasingly intelligent systems, while drivers and luminaires have become complete ecosystems in themselves. Another fundamental shift has come from IoT devices, which create cloud services that can be used for much more than lighting control. The lighting control system has an extensive network of PIR sensors installed for movement detection In a typical building. These sensors already effi ciently control the luminaires, and by running analytics on the data and integrating it into other building systems, there are considerable opportunities to increase building effi ciency, promote productivity and enhance wellbeing. Data-driven effi ciency Demand is growing for intelligent control systems, especially in the commercial and health care segments, where employers want to implement best practices and harness valuable data. In terms of overall effi ciency, integrating occupancy data (or predictive occupancy data) with the building management system (BMS) can save hundreds of hours of HVAC energy per year. When artifi cial intelligence is incorporated into systems, they can learn usage patterns and automatically adjust to save more energy; for example, Helvar’s ActiveAhead enables the luminaires to communicate with via a standard Bluetooth mesh network. After energy and other utilities, rent is generally the second most signifi cant building-related business cost. With the dramatic change in work culture, data gathered from occupancy sensors allows building owners and employers to optimise workspace. Utilisation factors can be analysed to determine if changes can be made to the space or if a smaller space is suffi cient. More specifi cally, in relation to Covid, combining occupancy sensing and environmental data integrated into the BMS ensures better air quality. Occupancy heat maps and motion trail patterns identify bottlenecks to reroute traffi c or minimise Lighting at Al Tayer Stocks offi ce The evolving role of smart lighting in commercial spaces Nathan Delaney, Director of Dubai-based Light Link employee contact; whereas, advanced systems assist with contact tracing. Human-centric lighting The adoption of human-centric lighting is another trend, partly driven by IoT and intrinsically linked to workplace wellbeing. According to a report from Mordor Intelligence, the global human-centric lighting market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 23.48% from 2021 to 2026. This approach gives users control of the lighting in their immediate environment balancing widespread automation with the freedom to make individual adjustments. International studies have shown that participants favour a mix of different colour temperatures, direct and indirect light, and higher lux levels. Using Kelvin adjustable lighting with an automated dynamic control system makes it possible to mimic natural light through a careful blend of intensity, colour, and direction at the right time. Going one step further, Special Report 31 February 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com PwC is another Light Link project PwC Experience Centre Nathan Delaney the Illuminating Engineering Society of America (IES) recommends establishing qualitative paraments depending on the age group of the users who will occupy a space, because people have different light level requirements at different stages of life. Advancing progress Technology is changing fast, going from 0-10v. to DSI, to DALI (the industry-standard protocol language for bi-directional, digital communication between lighting control devices) in a fairly short space of time. Now, we’re seeing the release of DALI 2, DALI+ and D4i taking things up another level. Fully certifi ed, DALI 2 offers better functionality and allows products from different manufacturers to operate on the same DALI bus, providing they’re tested and certifi ed. Plus, each DALI subnet now in DALI 2 Multi-Master systems has a maximum of 128 addresses – 64 control gear (e.g. LED drivers) and 64 control devices (e.g. sensors/keypads). There are so many ways for buildings to maximise smart lighting and education must go hand-in-hand with technological development. Because the benefi t of lighting controls isn’t immediately tangible, clients don’t always appreciate their true value. Overcoming this barrier relies on lighting sales teams, but wider industry stakeholders also need to work together to defi ne the needs of a project, design the most appropriate solution, and explain how it meets the client’s needs. As the construction community as a whole recognises the importance of smart lighting and controls, more can still be done to implement the systems, assist with the correct specifi cation, and share knowledge. If we expand our thinking about what lighting is and what it can do, we unlock the ability to solve an infi nite number of business challenges for today and in the future. Founded in 2019 by Jaspal Bal, Light Link has completed over 60 projects, including Abu Dhabi’s Early Childhood Authority, Microsoft and Accenture. Light Link recently moved into a two-storey premises in Al Quoz and is expanding its infl uence in other countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Light LinkSpecial Report commercialinteriordesign.com February 2022 32 Q&A G lass and design leader LASVIT is illuminating the Czech Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai with Golden Rain, a groundbreaking six-metre-high organically shaped installation made entirely of recyclable metal and glass that marries technology and harmony with nature to showcase the process of manufacturing water from air. Lukáš Cerný, LASVIT's general manager for MEA & SE Asia, tells us more about the unique project and how it aligns with Expo 2020's focus on sustainability. Commercial Interior Design (CID): What was the brief for the project and how far in advance of Expo 2020 did it you receive it? Lukáš Cerný (LC): Firstly, LASVIT was one of the few companies selected by the Czech government, and we are very honoured that the Czech Republic has placed its trust in our company. This was a huge commitment for us. The main motto of the Expo is 'Connecting Minds – Creating the Future' and the sub-themes are 'Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.' This is also what the concept of the Czech exposition was all about. Even the glass exposition itself was supposed to follow the nature of the thematic exposition – the SAWER system (Solar Air Water Earth Resource). It was in the spirit of sustainability and harmony with nature that the art director of LASVIT created the light installation Golden Rain, which has become one of the dominant features of the Czech pavilion. Maxim Velcovský designed this organic installation for the pavilion, giving the illusion that it is growing throughout the pavilion itself. The installation artistically Czech Pavilion's interior. Golden Rain was completed about a month before the opening of Expo 2020. CID: What were the challenges particular to the unique location? LC: The two-storey building of the Czech pavilion was designed by the Czech architectural offi ce Formosa AA, and the Czech pavilion is located at the entrance gate to the Sustainability district. In January 2019, the so-called concept design was approved by the organisers – this was one part of the documentation that was needed to hand over the site to the organisers. It also included the interior design, including the central exhibits in the Czech National Pavilion. And one of the central exhibits was also Golden Rain, designed by our art director Maxim Velcovský. So, Velcovský had to work with the space in which Golden Rain is now Golden opportunity LASVIT creates a light installation for Expo 2020 'Flowing' through the pavilion A visit by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation represents the production of water from air. Since water is worth gold in the desert, the colour of the installation is a symbol of this. The sculpture is in the shape of woody and long stemmed liana vines and when illuminated it gives the impression that water is fl owing through it into the Special Report 33 February 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com located from the very beginning, and for him it was very challenging because he had to keep in mind the particular space he was creating the installation for. The glass installation is shaped like golden lianas and fi ts into the pavilion's overall design. The individual 'stems' are reminiscent of the tangled clusters of hosing that wind their way throughout the entire pavilion, allowing it to function. CID: How many hours of labour went into creating it and how was it transported here? LC: The production of the Golden Rain installation itself took about 600 hours of work by several people. The project part, such as construction, R&D, design, and project management, took another 300 hours. It basically takes several months to produce something like the Golden Rain installation. Of course, depending on the complexity of the installation and factoring in design proposals, the whole process can take more than a few months. As to the place of manufacture, Golden Rain was produced in the Czech Republic where LASVIT comes from. The curtains that make up the Golden Rain installation were transported in three wooden crates, each seven metres long. One such crate weighed approximately 1,000 kilograms, and we airlifted it to the UAE. CID: What's the legacy for the project? LC: For us, the opportunity to participate in Expo 2020 is a dream come true and a great source of prestige. We wanted to present LASVIT as a Czech company which builds on traditional glass craft and show what we are able to do in the fi eld of innovative technologies and world design. We want to follow a unique path and present how glassmaking can be pushed even further. One of our goals is to show the world what a company from the Czech Republic can do. Despite the fact that the Czech Republic is roughly 85th in the world by population, we can certainly be world class and become one of the best in our fi eld. The Czechs count themselves among the absolute top in the glass craft, and Czech glassmaking is certainly something we can be duly proud of. The country even has the most glassmakers in the world per capita. One of LASVIT's goals is to promote traditional craftsmanship around the world, and Expo 2020 is a great opportunity to do this. The Golden Rain installation is a design treatment of the environmental theme, while at the same time combining traditional glass craftsmanship and modern technology. In the spirit of sustainability and harmony with nature, this organic installation is made of ecological materials, such as metal and glass. That may just be our legacy – to show young designers and future generations how great Czech glassmaking really is. A golden opportunity indeed! It took 600 hours to produce and install Lukáš CernýSpecial Report commercialinteriordesign.com February 2022 34 D ubai-based lighting design consultancy Studio N has created an architectural lighting scheme for Jumeriah Group's T3 Arrivals Lounge at Dubai International Airport. As the interior scheme from Bishop Design by Paul Bishop takes its cue from residential design, Studio N used layers of light to bring warmth and character to the space. Lighting plays a vital role in creating visual points of interest and accentuating the materiality of the scheme's natural stone feature walls, fabric wallpaper, beautifully crafted furniture pieces and bespoke artwork. ELEGANT YET HOMELY As guests arrive, they are met with the fi rst in a series of spectacular ceiling coves that have been designed to draw the eye and provide a seamless glow of warm light. The double cove composition sits above the reception desk and features circular lines of light set against corresponding gold bands. Once inside, visitors enter the main lounge where luxurious upholstery, marble surfaces and timber joinery pieces have been used to create an elegant yet homely design aesthetic. Here, a second circular cove feature has been embellished with an eye-catching chandelier by Oggetti, comprising juxtaposing gold and white LED pendants. Adjustable downlights provide further illumination and pick out both the artwork pieces on display and refreshments provided by Jumeriah's renowned celebrity chefs. At a lower level, a gentle glow of light underneath the counter creates a theatrical effect, while integrated shelf lighting softly illuminates display items. INTEGRATED DOWNLIGHTS Within the private VIP lounge, a linear cove feature forms a dramatic centrepiece of diffuse lighting that helps to highlight the proportions of the room. Integrated downlights have been carefully placed throughout to wash the room's artwork pieces, upholstered walls and natural stone wall with light. Elsewhere in the bathroom, a fl oor Bishop Design is behind the lounge's interiors Oggetti's chandelier JUMERIAH GROUP T3 ARRIVALS LOUNGE, DUBAI INTERNATIO Image credit: Jumeriah GroupSpecial Report 35 February 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com to ceiling sandblasted mirror has been backlit to create a striking visual feature. Recessed downlights and diffuse cove lighting provide a gentle layer of illumination for guests looking to revive themselves before travelling on to their next destination. The entire lighting scheme has been programmed using a DALI control system, which provides different scenes depending on the time of day. Guests are soothed by a warm, cosy scene when using the lounge in the evening or night and greeted with a series of more vibrant schemes during the day. Refreshments on display Integrated shelf lighting Downlights pick out artworks The bathroom NAL AIRPORT BY STUDIO N Studio N Launched in 2018, STUDIO N is a versatile architectural lighting design consultancy with a budget-conscious and purpose-driven mindset that consistently delivers affordable lighting solutions for its client without compromising on quality and creativity.Special Report commercialinteriordesign.com February 2022 36 CASE STUDY: WATT PLAZA LOBBY RENOVATION WITH LIGHT DISPLAY BY E xtending beyond its doors, the soft glow of the lighting feature at Watt Plaza Lobby welcomes guests to the hotel in the Southern California city of Los Angeles, United States. The new lobby design by STUDIOS Architecture called for a massive decorative light display and Canadian lighting studio, Archilume, got the call to create one. The result is a striking constellation of 350 individually mounted P1M LED luminaires. Science & beauty Since being founded in 2013, Archilume has operated under a design ethos of combining science with beauty with industrial designer, Saleem Khattak, at the helm. The lobby area Welcome to Watt Plaza IMAGE CREDIT: BRUCE DAMONTE/ARCHILUMESpecial Report 37 February 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com ARCHILUME different cable length. This was a critical component to the overall design success of the installation as the pattern needed to be exact and simple enough for the installation to be efficient, but random enough for the overall mass to look as if it had been unified. "Given this component is the focal point of the lobby project, the element needed to maintain a certain, specific mass for it to carry the stature it needed to have an impact. The density and scale of the installation make this lighting feature a success," says Matthew Landl of BLLD. Childlike wonder The P1M is designed to evoke a lit candle, poetically inverted, say its creatirs, creating a sense of child-like wonder of where the light might be coming from. Described as "like LEGO for light" by Archilume's Khattak, it can be used by designers can create any number of compositions of glare-free light with its 1.5" diameter micro canopy, which makes it extremely suitable for large-scale chandelier formations. The Watt Building First designed in the 1980s by architect Gin Wong, the lobby of the Watt Building is situated between two 23-storey towers. It was renovated to 17,000 sq ft by STUDIOS Architecture to reveal a stunning space nearly six times the original size. Since Watt Plaza was the first LEED Platinum-certified office high-rise building in Century City, California, it was integral to the project to incorporate integrated features to maintain this status. Using Archilume's P1M low wattage, low output fixtures in a large, focalised quantity, allowed for the surrounding connective spaces to have reduced power consumption, effectively allowing the design to be compliant under the stringent CA Title 24 code, and contributing to the overall LEED goal. Using smaller production facilities locally in Vancouver to minimise carbon footprint, the firm has been producing glare-free decorative luminaires and was one of the first to use energy-efficient LED chip-on-board technology in a luminaire. With the P1M, Archilume's marquee pendant, it has helped lead the way with the application of total internal reflection optics in decorative LED lighting. This product has the ability to be mounted as a solitary pendant or grouped to form a chandelier. When Watt Plaza Lobby and STUDIOS Architecture needed a focal lighting feature, the design of P1M could really be allowed to shine. Critical component Lighting design specialists Banks Landl Lighting Design (BLLD, previously known as Hiram Banks Lighting Design) were brought on board and designed a template system for the overall 15'x19' lighting cove area in the ceiling. This allowed the contractor to simply layout the individual mounting points and required wiring. BLLD's lighting design template was projected from the floor, using a laser to mark each of the installation positions. Each fixture was then mounted at a The building is LEED Platinum-certifi ed Random but unifi ed pattern P1m in close upSpecial Report commercialinteriordesign.com February 2022 38 SWITCHING UP MICHAEL ANASTASSIADES FOR FLOS NEW PRODUCTS & SERVICESSpecial Report 39 February 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com T o mark the latest Milano Design Week, Italian lighting brand Flos has released new colour fi nishes for two families of lamps designed by the minimalist Michael Anastassiades. SIMPLE YET SOPHISTICATED The two ranges, String Lights and Coordinates, capture the poetic Cartesian minimalism of the London- living, Cypriot-born designer. With String Lights and Coordinates, Anastassiades has drawn on simple yet sophisticated shapes that are now enhanced by two fresh new colours that add contemporary notes to his timeless and designs. INTENSE COLOURS Released in 2014, String Lights were originally available with standard fi nish black diffusers. In the new version of the lamp, an intense powder blue with a soft touch fi nish meets white and amplifi es the refi ned geometries of the sphere or cone lighting bodies. The aluminium and polycarbonate lamp consists of a black electric wire that enters into a relationship with the architecture of a space, fi tting precisely into the lines formed by the walls of a room to draw geometric shapes in the air. Two different light sources protrude from the wire: the fi rst in the shape of an isosceles triangle, the second shaped as a sphere. A system of tensors gives volume and a 3D effect to the dotted shape of the light cord playing with space, while the two lamps diffuse a warm LED light. A NIGHT EFFECT The Coordinates lamp was originally designed in 2020 by Anastassiades as a custom-made solution for the main dining room of the Four Seasons restaurant in New York. First available in an anodised champagne version, Coordinates includes a metallic argent fi nish that the designer wants to "evoke ancestral memories related to the night and the moon." Four chandelier models of different shapes and sizes make up the family, with three versions of ceiling fi xtures in two lengths, a fl oor lamp and the latest Coordinates Wall. As Descartes was the father of analytic geometry, so this scenographic lighting system has a simple mathematical beauty. Its infi nitely repeatable modules made from extruded aluminum, platinic silicone extruded opal are composed of grids of horizontal and vertical light bars that are suitable for any size and height setting. Anastassiades concludes: "My work stems from an idea of subtraction. An object stripped and brought back to its bare essentiality is the ultimate, defi nitive expression of beauty." Simple lights enhanced by new colours The Coordinates lamp String lights in blue and whiteNext >