Focal Point | [d]arc awards | Kuulas | UK

Editor’s Top Picks Workspace Lighting Products

TL605 Franklite

A modern matte black desk lamp with a switch and USB port on the base. The USB port provides additional functionality and convenience to the user. Dimensions include a base diameter of 120 x 180mm, a height of 510mm and a projection 485mm. This double insulated desk lamp is supplied with an LED lamp. franklite.co.uk

Hang-Out Penta

A horizontal bar, suspended with very thin cables seemingly disappearing into space, releases a diffused light; one or more circular elements, depending on the project, propagate from the lighting body with their geometric purity. Made of natural wood, lacquered in a wide variety of colours or upholstered in soundabsorbing fabric, the panels are architectural details suggesting the aesthetics of the Bauhaus. “Walking through Venice and seeing a cable stretched between houses with washed clothes hanging, we came up with the idea of designing a light”, says Alberto Brogliato and Federico Traverso. This is how the Brogliato/Traverso studio designed the Hang-Out suspension for Penta. pentalight.com

Mona Brokis

Designed by Lucie Koldova, the Mona collection is based on the concept of penetrating forms. The light source boldly traverses the ample volume of smooth handblown glass to reveal the thrilling tension inherent in the design. The collection’s essence, however, lies in its unconventional construction and refined combination of materials. It also boasts dimmable tubular LED light sources, developed by Brokis. The collection is suitable for office lighting, it comprises four sizes and various types of lights (pendant, floor, table, wall). www.brokis.cz

Slice Zero

Two functions in one and the same fixture; Slice is nothing less than a light-emitting, acoustic design piece that combines innovative functionality with expressive form. Sustainability was a crucial factor in the development phase, both in terms of materials and socially. Slice creates a better environment, for both the eyes and ears, and adds character with its softly toned colour spectra. Painted metal in black RAL 9005, with sound absorbing slices made of polyester and bi-component fibre, the Slice comes with incorporated LED module or with dimmable LED light source included. www.zerolighting.com

Static Links LightArt

Static Links is a high-performance acoustic lighting system available in configurable, dynamic shapes. The latest evolution of LightArtʼs Static fixtures—which couple acoustic paneling with performance lighting core capabilities—Static Linksʼ central hubs act as a conduit and can be connected and built into hundreds of different configurations and patterns. Its four geometric shapes—named X, Y, T, and L—are standard products, but each configuration makes any installation customisable. These fixtures were also created with the understanding that not every environment is conducive to linear baffles. Static Linksʼ angled fixtures can nestle in corners or create unique wave-like patterns on tiered ceilings. lightart.com

Kontur Vibia

A pair of Kontur pendants by Sebastian Herkner illuminates this communal office table. Floating within its bold, black frame and fit with a rounded metal diffuser, it hangs low like a table lamp and generates the ambient look of raining light. In an open room with a row of desks, the Kontur pendant helps define each work area. The horizontal volumes unfold across the space with a rhythmic purity that adds design continuity and a feeling of elegant equipoise. www.vibia.com

ART: WINNER BESPOKE LIGHT INSTALLATIONS

1st Place: Privatbank Donner & Reuschel, Germany Notholt Lighting Design

Notholt Lighting Design collaborated with Axthelm Rolvien Architekten for the interior and exterior lighting design of Donner & Reuschel, a private bank situated in a historical building in the heart of Hamburg, Germany. Located in an exposed panoramic position at the Binnenalster Lake, the outdoor lighting was designed to embed the façade into an elegant, sophisticated unit harmonising with the surrounding historical buildings. The interior lighting was shaped to reflect classy hanseatic restraint and elegance. Skilfully, the lighting sets accents to underline the visual axes. A bespoke light-artwork in the entrance hall completed the overall concept. Project Manager Almut Bagnoli at Notholt, says of the design’s concept: “Since the light sculpture is located in the reception hall of a private bank, the idea was to frame the semi-circular seating area on the round carpet and direct the gaze of the main visual axis to it. It was important to drop the light fibres at different heights and to find the right distance between them to enhance the floating and oscillating effect and to emphasise the conical brass end pieces. The goal was to create a varied play of light from different perspectives. The light object should appear very light and not block the view out to the lake.” The floating light sculpture is inspired by a sickle shape of fibre glass elements with conical brass and white glass end pieces, which embraces the inviting lounge area in the entrance hall. Walking down the pavement alongside the historical building, a delightful view of the light installation opens through the window. From inside, the surrounding architecture allows a sweeping view of the scenery, from the lounge area the visitor can peer straight up through the swarm of light. To create the sculpture’s unique shape, it was necessary to consider a complex interplay of architectural conditions and desired visual effects in order to highlight the interior design and set an eyecatcher. The light sculpture is hanging from 0.12-metres below

the ceiling to 1.70-metres above floor level resulting in a total height of 3.66-metres; the room’s height measures 5.48-metres. The sculpture is anchored to the ceiling with 12 eyebolts. It consists of a four-part metal canopy with a diameter of 4.2-metres on which the 720 fibre glass elements are suspended at 13 different drop heights. “Since the light object is very heavy, static calculations had to be carried out and M10 threaded rods had to be provided for ceiling mounting. The canopy had to consist of four sections, otherwise it could not have been transported and assembled,” adds Bagnoli. Four LED projectors positioned on top of the canopy, each with a bespoke colour wheel, enable the lighting moods to be changed throughout the day. Sitting down in one of the comfortable lounge chairs, the visitor is magically enfolded in the installation’s swaying threads. The project presented interesting design and electrical challenges. Several attempts were required to create the right spaces and heights between the multitude of individual fibre optic cables and finding an elegant way of attaching the conical brass end pieces. In addition, the right projectors and optical fibres had to be selected to ensure that everything lines up perfectly.

“The conical brass end pieces were the standard version from Universal Fibre Optics; because they looked very noble, we decided on them. However, in order to create an elegant finish between the end piece and the optical fibre, the usual stainless steel hexagon nuts were replaced by specially made round brass fittings by Universal Fibre Optics. We tested many different light fibres to find out the right light effect. Some of the light fibres shone too brightly, others seemed too dim, and other fibres were either too thick or too thin, or only glowed at the bottom. The metal of the canopy has been coated in the colour of the ceiling so that the canopy blends into the background as much as possible,” explains Bagnoli. Finally, the lighting sculpture floats softly and elegantly in the space, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere and casts you under its magical spell. “The light object was developed during the overall project of the private bank, which lasted about two years. Month-long agreements between the architectural office, the manufacturer and the client were necessary to achieve an optimal result.” www.notholt.de Image above: Marcus Bredt

Focal Point

2nd Place: Park Row Structural Lighting Sculpture, UK Nulty Bespoke

A dramatic and sweeping lighting feature was needed for the spiral stairwell of Park Row in Soho – a subterranean restaurant experience inspired by DC Comics. The installation by Nulty Bespoke had to accentuate a Batcave-style ambiance and present guests with a theatrical display of light as they descend the staircase. The elongated installation is composed of 25 equally sized discs that are uniformly spaced from top to bottom. Each acrylic disc sits within a circular frame that is attached to a 10.8-metre-long helix metal structure, which was designed and manufactured in modular sections. LED tape has been positioned around each disc and then supplemented with felt padding at the top and bottom, which blocks any light bleed and provides a cushion between the frame and acrylic. Each disc has a gradient laser-dot pattern that catches the inward emitting light to create a focal point on the panel that is only revealed once illuminated. In reference to the echolocation frequency of bats, the installation lights up in a dramatic pulsating sequence. Illuminated circles travel up and down the stairwell to create a striking yet mysterious gateway to the glamorous dining space beyond. A black mirrored plinth on the ceiling and the floor adds another dimension to the installation by creating an infinity effect. The pulsating light show has been programmed via a DMX control system that gives the client endless lighting configuration possibilities. Controlling the natural movement of the twisting structure was an exercise in balance and engineering. Detailed fixings were applied to the ceiling and floor to secure the piece, while tension cables were positioned with precision to bring further rigidity to the installation. www.nultybespoke.co.uk Image: French+Tye

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3rd Place: Kuulas, UK Cameron Design House

Taking centre stage at Design London during the London Design Festival in September 2021, Cameron Design House’s Kuulas installation was revealed. For the global unveiling of the Kuulas, the piece was displayed in the main passageway of the building and hung from a dramatic ceiling height to create an immersive installation. The statement sculptural chandelier illuminated the hallway with a vibrant amber glow, captivating the eyes of many visitors. The Kuulas is a one-of-a-kind sculptural chandelier – celebrating a fusion of glass, brass and light. Designed to look good whether on or off, the piece exudes a sense of cultivated elegance with an industrial flair. Made up of glass pearls that were hand blown by artisans, every pearl was individually suspended from husky industrial-style chains. Cameron Design House has become synonymous with unique, contemporary design and refined craftsmanship, with every piece conceived and handcrafted in its studio workshop. Using organic and precisely engineered elements, it creates custom feature installations, which are handmade to a client’s specific requirements, allowing for bespoke sizing, configuration and finish. camerondesignhouse.com Image: Sam Frost

KIT: WINNER DECORATIVE LIGHTING PRODUCT

1st Place: Fresnel Jonathan Coles Studio

The self-titled Jonathan Coles Studio was established in 2006 in Henley-On-Thames, UK. Founder Coles has a long creative history, starting with completing a degree in 3D Product Design at Middlesex University in 1986. “Creatively it was an explosive time to enter the lighting industry,” he tells darc. “The influx of new technologies fed innovation and ambition, opening up a whole new way of thinking and working with light.” Coles began working with Shiu Kay Kan creating products using the new MR16 fixture. Coles explains how this “revitalised retail space design”, notably in early Next stores and Terence Conran’s Design Museum in Shad Thames. Coles then went on to work with Arnold Chan at Isometrix Lighting Design. Here he “experimented with colour mixing using dichroic filters and installed wash lights to Philippe Starck’s St Martins Lane Hotel, creating a simple dial interface to set the mood”. Later, Coles was pioneering radical new designs using early LED technology with designer Marc Newson on Ford Motors 021C concept car. “It was the first time indictors, headlamps and side lamps were combined into one addressable LED array,” he says. “Before setting up my studio I spent a time with the iconic British lighting brand Mathmos, initially developing a Lava lamp with Ross Lovegrove and then a range of rechargeable portable LED products which won D&AD and Red Dot awards. “All of these experiences gave me a rich foundation to set up my studio. Working alongside lighting designers as a product designer gave me a precious insight and allowed me to move beyond making objects.” When asked what a light should bring to a space, Coles explains that to begin with, you must ask yourself what type of light quality and experience of light do you want to create? “What combination of intentions does the product have - functional, emotional (evocative) and transformative? Consider how the light can work within a space, its scale, aesthetic and materials. All of these are carefully considered to enhance the interior space.” When designing new products, he highlights that the “light source