New CEO for Flos
(Italy) - Design Holding appoints Roberta Silva as Flos CEO.
Roberta Silva has been selected by the Group’s shareholders together with Piero Gandini, who sold Flos to Design Holding and recently stepped down from the position.
Silva's appointment is part of the efforts of the holding company and its subsidiaries to further strengthen their management teams, by recruiting managers with a high international profile and able to contribute to the growth of the Group led by Chairman and CEO Gabriele Del Torchio.
In her role as CEO of Flos, Silva will carry forward the brand’s strong identity and history of excellence, whilst guiding the company into a new phase of growth that will enable it to successfully address the ongoing changes in the sector and the challenges of an increasingly global marketplace.
Previously the Italian Country Manager of Bose, a US multi-national manufacturer of high-end electronics, the Group promoted Silva to an international role appointing her as Head of Bose’s Global Direct Retail Network. She left Bose after having led the company into a new phase of strategic commercial development and brand enhancement. Prior to Bose, Roberta had senior roles at the Kraft Group.
Configurate - Archilume
(USA) - Archilume presents the new Diamond addition to Configurate, its flexible, modular canopy system.
The diamond is on-trend with new polygonal shapes appearing in the interiors market. Archilume took its cue from emerging elements in interior finishes and wanted to complement them with a ceiling surface-mounted option for interior designers using decorative LED lighting.
"Currently designers choose wall and floor tiles. We've taken it a step further by including elegant, configurable tiled canopies for our pendants, so designers can include design elements on the ceiling plane as well," said Archilume founder, Saleem Khattak.
In 2016 Archilume introduced its proprietary Configurate Canopy System with their inaugural hexagonal-shaped canopy. The canopies have a clean, reverential feel. The new diamond-shape feels decidedly modern, the points adding drama and dynamism, while creating tromp a l'oeil, Escher-like effects.
The configurate canopy system recalls the plaster rosettes and medallions used to beautify Victorian ceilings. Configurate modernises this idea by transforming ornament into beautiful functional design.
Configurate's shared-edge design allows surface-mounted electrical connection between each module. Simply, yet elegantly, the system begins with a symmetrical, geometrically-shaped mounting and canopy plate that attaches to the ceiling to suspend one of Archilume's original luminaires, or the Aura and Alto pendants.
Repeating the modular unit along its shared edges allows designers to create unlimited tiling configurations. Individual pendants transform into elegant, constellation-like chandeliers. Linked together, the configuration connects to the relevant number of remote drivers. The inherent modular nature of the system allows for ease of change by adding or removing modules during the design or installation stage.
Other qualities expand the system's flexibility story. Cable suspension lengths are designer-specified and field adjustable to be consistent in length for a uniform appearance or of different lengths for a staggered aesthetic.
The standard canopy module is constructed of clear anodised aluminium, but other anodised finishes can be explored for a more bespoke solution.
Configurate canopies create value-added design and as standard product, they are cost effective and require a shorter lead time. The product also seamlessly teams with Archilume luminaires to create a captivating dimmable LED lighting experience without being complicated. Coherent as an individual pendant or grouped as a chandelier, the system ignites the imagination to create installations, from simple and under-stated to dramatic and impactful.
[d]arc awards back for 2019
(UK) - darc awards 2019 now open for entries with two new categories for decorative lighting.
This year’s darc awards has officially opened with entries being accepted via the website: www.darcawards.com
Now in its fifth year, the online, peer-to-peer awards platform has proved a hit with designers and manufacturers alike with all projects and products being displayed on the darc awards website.
The awards is open to all designers and manufacturers, meaning anyone can enter. Two new categories – Best Bespoke Installation and Best Decorative Luminaire – have also been integrated into this year's awards. Once the entries have been shortlisted by a panel of international lighting designers, it’s over to the lighting design community to vote.
Categories are:
Projects - can include both architectural & decorative lighting elements
STRUCTURES (High + Low Budget) – Best Exterior Lighting Scheme
PLACES (High + Low Budget) – Best Interior Lighting Scheme
SPACES (High + Low Budget) – Best Landscape Lighting Scheme
ART (High + Low Budget) – Best Light Art Installation / Best Bespoke Installation
EVENT – Best Creative Lighting Event
Products
KIT – Best Lighting Products
• Interior Luminaires
• Exterior Luminaires
• Decorative Luminaires
• Technology
The deadline for entries is 27 September. Projects and products must have been launched later than 31st May 2018.
Every independent lighting designer and light artist is eligible to vote online for their favourite lighting schemes and products. What’s more, any lighting designer who does vote is eligible for a free ticket to [d]arc night, the [d]arc awards ceremony, which this year will take place on 5 December 2019 at MC Motors in London with a Christmas party theme.
Paul James, director of the awards, commented: “It’s great to get back into the [d]arc awards process. The decision to move the event to December this year will mean an even better party, something that the awards has become renowned for.”
[d]arc night will feature up to sixteen light installations created by lighting designers using architectural lighting fixtures from the awards sponsors. We will also be inviting decorative lighting companies to get involved in the event with the unique opportunity to create an installation scheme for one of the three bars in the venue. Decorative manufacturers interested in getting involved should contact Stephen Quiligotti on s.quiligotti@mondiale.co.uk
Adonis - Barovier & Toso
Adonis is a collection of chandeliers created by Marcel Wanders, inspired by the Dutch floral tradition and fused with Murano glassmaking, which has always featured flowers as a distinctive feature. The collection is comprised of a wall lamp and six chandeliers in two different styles – one elongated, the other more traditional – that can be combined in a modular system for the ultimate in personalisation. Graceful butterflies and tulip buds adorn the arms of every model, in a swirl of colour.
When asked about the inspiration behind the collection Wanders told darc: “We wanted to create an object that when you see it for the first time, you don’t feel like it's new, you feel like old acquaintances. Our aim is to make objects that will be with us forever. We want to infuse the past, with the future and to do that with companies with a long history in craftsmanship makes it easy and also more interesting for us.”
Adonis comes in three shapes and three sizes making a total of nine modules. These can all be fixed amongst each other and in a variety of ways, meaning there are endless combinations that can be made when material colour and decoration placement is factored in.
Wanders continues: “Adonis is an incredibly versatile product that will stand the test of time for at least the next 100 years.”
Nightbloom - Lladró
Coinciding with Euroluce 2019, Lladró announced the launch of Nightbloom in collaboration with celebrated Dutch design studio Marcel Wanders. This collection of white porcelain chandeliers is inspired by the way the petals of a flower delicately dance in the wind and breeze. Sculpted by hand with a sense of natural randomness, each 3D-relief part of the bouquet lamp is a unique and unrepeatable handcrafted creation.
As a world leader in the design, manufacturing and distribution of porcelain art creations, Lladró has partnered with Marcel Wanders to create a marriage between the lightness and surface details of flower petals with the beauty of matte porcelain.
“Working with Lladró, we were able to combine its unique craft processes with our goal of bringing the past into the contemporary moment to make something exquisite and beautiful for the home,” says Wanders.
“Our inspiration came from visiting Lladró itself and understanding the beauty behind the scenes, to see the culture behind the brand and the figurines - it is about the beauty of this craft.”
The light sculptures freeze a moment in time yet simultaneously express movement. What you see here is that through this same type of work with porcelain you see a lamp that is moving when it is not. The light works in conduction with the fine porcelain and shines through to create depth.
Myrna - Ladies & Gentlemen Studio
(USA) - Myrna stemmed from a collaborative commission from fellow designer Giancarlo Valle in 2018, when he approached Ladies & Gentlemen Studio with an intriguing request: challenge the traditional chandelier archetype while defining the dining space of his open loft home. The result was the Myrna Wall Mobile, a gestural variation on a swing arm lamp, made from blackened brass, tinted glass, and an oversized oval shade made from perforated steel.
The counterweighted armature allows flexibility in the light's position, creating a positionable warm, embracing cast of light over the designated area. Myrna's broad shade form is inspired by actress Myrna Loy's signature floppy hats, an elegantly strong and simple form created from a gently bent piece of sheet material.
The structured, but organic shape has a remarkable ability to create an embracing gesture within larger surroundings making it perfect for dining and sitting areas. The shade also allows for an abundant array of material options from perforated aluminium, brass and stainless steel to a lovely bent glass. Each glass shade is formed from uniquely patterned art glass sheets and given a velvety surface finish resulting in an intriguing materiality that's thin and translucent with a stone-like pattern and hand.
Myrna is available in an angle adjustable pendant, sconce, flush-mount ceiling, and wall mobile format in a variety of materials.
www.ladiesandgentlemenstudio.com
Michael Anastassiades - Euroluce Launches
At this year’s Euroluce, Michael Anastassiades launched multiple new lighting designs both independently and for Flos, adding to his already accomplished collection. Speaking with darc at the show, Anastassiades outlines how various inspirational sources have been translated into the new designs and how his stylistic vision remains strong.
The Philosophical Egg collection was realised as an homage to the mysterious pendant that appears in the famous Altar painting of Piero della Francesca in the Pinacoteca di Brera. The various fixtures reflect the same architectural approach that the artist represents in the painting’s perspective. Their refined composition of primordial shapes with an illuminated ostrich egg shaped oval allow the fixture to become the central focus of the space. The collection comprises various pendants and sconces and features a petrol blue powder-coated finish.
“The Philosophical Egg collection comes in just one size and it was important to me to keep it the size of an actual ostrich egg size. They come in very simple configurations, rest on a wall fixing or suspended from the ceiling…for me, it’s an elegant way to really continue shape but it’s also interesting to introduce colour. All the metal is in blue which really adds to the simplicity as well as the mythical element that the piece is trying to convey.”
Next up is In Between - a powerful, fully dimmable uplighter consisting of two identical aluminium discs separated by a transparent glass tube. The upper disc appears floating, elegantly projecting the light up. Running along the middle of the tube is a thin cable that expresses the power source of the light, a subtle reference to the famous Bauhaus table lamp designed by Willem Wagenfeld in 1924. “Its quite expressive in the sense that the power goes up so as to not interfere with your eyes and is very much a minimal uplighter,” comments Anastassiades.
The three new Mobile Chandeliers introduce a new language to the ongoing series first designed in 2008 (Mobile Chandelier 1 to 13). The new additions represent a departure from the disciplined geometry presented in previous models, adopting an organic language in which strict lines are made fluid and symmetry is interrupted by natural curvature. Anastassiades tells darc: “The mobiles features more organic curves this time.”
Primitive Structure is Anastassiades’ first task light. Simply stacked in a T-shape are two geometric rectangular forms of black anodised aluminium. The point where they rest is the point of rotation allowing for a sequence of dimmable light that alternates on a 180º pivot. The task light is wireless allowing the user the flexibility of placing it in any possible location. This lamp has a battery life of eight hours and can be recharged by USB.
Vertigo pendant light is formed of two linear elements. A simple horizontal beam with a linear array of LED light acts as an up and down lighter, with a vertical strap that centrally balances the beam in place. It is this simple attachment, suggesting the hoisting of a structural beam, that evokes the iconic images captured by photographer Charles C. Ebbets of the steel construction of skyscrapers in 1930s New York City. The light intelligently operates through a touch sensitive dimmer in the middle of the horizontal beam. ‘Vertigo’ comes in three length options and can be customised according to the required drop. Both Vertigo and Primitive Structure are described by Anastassiades as “some of his more intriguing pieces due to their abstract and monumental aesthetics.”
Despite often collaborating with Flos on lighting, Anastassiades tells darc he feels no pressure in trying to forcefully create a signature style for different brands; but instead continues his unique flair for lighting design flowing through all collaborations. “I express my ideas on different platforms but sometimes certain products feel more right for Flos,” he says. “However, you see fixtures like the IC collection, which could fit very well within this brand so there is no differentiation between designs for my own collection and theirs.”
Some of the latest collections to emerge from his collaboration with Flos are the modular centric Coordinates and My Circuit, which were also presented at this year’s Euroluce.
“Co-ordinates is something that was developed as a customisable system that features some standard configurations,” he says. “It can be used in singular settings for the home or on a larger scale for commercial projects - the idea developed from a Four Seasons Hotel commission I worked on.”
My Circuit is new concept for Flos with a focus on incorporating track lighting in an expressive way - finding the similarity between plaster, ceilings and decorative cornicing. Anastassiades comments: “I believe putting all the decorative and lighting elements together can create something truly incredibly. Modular lighting is a natural progression for lighting as it reflects the complexities of life and allows adaptability, which I advocate. I’m not so interested in single iconic lamps anymore, I think our lives are very complex, nothing in life is simple so why should lights be.”
My Circuit, with its functional yet decorative elements poses the question, is decorative lighting becoming more technical in order to stay innovative. For Anastassiades, the boundaries between functional and decorative are becoming increasingly blurred, and for him, this is a good thing. “I don’t think light boundaries should really exist,” he says. “Sometimes people have a preference to use a light that is more technical, something traditionally associated with an office environment, and utilise it within a domestic environment and vice versa. People choose to put track lighting in their home, or choose to put decorative lighting chandeliers in the office; it doesn’t matter as long as they like the aesthetic, it’s functional and works for the space.”
The Society of British & International Design relocates award ceremony
(UK) - Following Brunei’s government anti-LGBT stance, The Society of British & International Design (SBID) relocates International Design Awards and 2020: Meet The Buyer Event away from The Dorchester hotel.
As a standard bearer organisation for the interior design industry, SBID believe in equality, diversity and as a business actively promote best practice standards. Having reviewed venue choices for 2019 and in light of the ongoing human rights issues in Brunei, a decision to relocate the SBID International Awards and 2020: Meet The Buyer events away from The Dorchester hotel has been made.
The decision is no reflection on the operational staff of the hotel and SBID thank them for their support over the long history they have had in hosting at their venue. The new venue location is yet to be finalised however, is confirmed to be as prestigious as previous years with an added celebratory feel to mark SBID’s 10th anniversary.
Soraa introduces 'Healthy' lamp range
(USA) – Series of lamps that emphasise health and well-being introduced to market.
As a continuation of its mission to innovate products that improve lives and lifestyles, Soraa, the leader in full-spectrum LED technology, is now introducing a completely blue-free LED lamp portfolio.
Soraa ‘Healthy’ products feature patented ZeroBlue technology, a breakthrough in LED colour science. With ZeroBlue, Soraa Healthy products emit a blue-free spectrum reducing melanopic lumens by ~40% compared to conventional LEDs – and without suffering from the yellow cast of other sleep-friendly LEDs.
Used in conjunction with Soraa’s violet LEDs, Soraa ‘Healthy’ products combine an engineered mix of green and red phosphors to produce a spectrum with a wide gap in the blue range, removing blue completely while retaining a high quality of light, resulting in vibrant, natural white light and colour rendering. Not dim light, not colour schemes, just healthy, blue-free light.
WHY ZEROBLUE?
The sun emits blue light naturally in the morning, supporting productivity and alertness. As the day progresses, daylight naturally carries less and less blue, prompting the body to prepare for sleep. However, people are increasingly spending most of their waking hours indoors and under artificial light, running the risk of blue light overexposure during evening hours that can inhibit restful sleep. Soraa ‘Healthy’ lamps help the body better recognise that the day is ending, thus aiding the natural steps of a healthy sleep cycle.
“We know blue radiation wakes you up in the morning, getting you ready for the day, but it can be problematic at night as it interferes with our circadian rhythms and inhibits sleep – a common side effect of too much artificial blue light exposure,” said Soraa Chief Scientist Aurelien David, PhD.
“At Soraa, we believe light has a strong impact on our everyday life, and we cannot compromise the quality of light,” David said. “We developed blue-free products to provide a light source that is healthy at night and respectful of your sleep cycle without sacrificing colour quality.”
ZEROBLUE ENVIRONMENTS
Lighting designers, architects and specifiers have traditionally been focused on the beauty that light brings to an environment. But increasingly, they are emphasising health and starting to carefully consider designing products where health and well-being are critical to the human experience.
Soraa ‘Healthy’ solutions now mean they have a broader range of lamps to support these scenarios. Residential spaces present a huge opportunity, but commercial applications, such as hotels and health care facilities, where prioritising wellness has the potential to enhance the guest experience, abound as well.
Soraa Co-Founder and Board Member Shuji Nakamura, who received a Nobel Prize in Physics for inventing efficient blue LEDs, advised the creation of Soraa ‘Healthy’ LED lamps. “We are entering a new era of healthy lighting options,” Nakamura said. “With the introduction of Soraa ‘Healthy’ products, a first of its kind, we’re now able to more directly and positively impact the support of proper circadian health. Soraa’s introduction of blue-free lamps will transform the way people think about light and the impact it has on our daily lives. Blue-free solutions are just the beginning as we continue to develop advanced, dynamic lighting solutions that most closely match light found only in nature.”
Blue Flint Group rebrands
(UK) - Istoria Group commissions Martin Parr to shoot new board as part of major rebrand.
Bristol creative business Blue Flint Group has re-branded under a new name - Istoria Group - and has commissioned world-renowned, Bristol-based documentary photographer Martin Parr to photograph its seven-strong board, in celebration of the re-launch.
The strategic business re-brand has been undertaken to ensure that Istoria Group - already a multi-million pound business and a highly successful, independently-owned collective of five creative and innovation companies, including exhibition, events and experiences company Ignition; interiors and branding agency Phoenix Wharf; strategic communications agency Caroline; children’s book publishers I am a Bookworm and pioneering innovation platform Solverboard - is ready for the next ambitious stage of its growth at a regional, national and international level.
"We can now offer clients access to a raft of specialist talent, based in a single, collaborative office," Sam Rowe CEO of Istoria Group explained. "Our point of difference is that we have shared processes and systems throughout the group, so that clients can decide if they want to work with a single specialist agency – on a shop, restaurant, re-brand, event or exhibition, for example - or else liaise across the group via a single point of contact for all of their creative and design needs."
The business favours a direct and honest way of working with a highly personable approach and the commission of Martin Parr is a perfect embodiment of this. "We’re great fans of Martin Parr’s portraiture and of the frank and wryly humorous edge he brings to his work," Rowe said. "The commission also reflects our belief in Bristol as a centre of world-class creative talent."
Part of the re-brand includes the confirmation of changes for the Group at board level. Former MD Sam Rowe has now become Group CEO, whilst former CEO & Founder Claire Menzies becomes Istoria Group’s new Chairwoman.
Bianca Yousef appointed latest Associate at 74
(UK) - Manchester-based architectural practice appoints company associate with immediate effect.
Yousef, a former Senior Interior Designer at the practice, has been with the company for four years and has been part of, or led, a number of its key portfolio schemes, including the award-winning Hox Haus student clubhouse in Surrey for Moorfield Group; the interior design of student facility Elgin Place in Glasgow (also an award winner - at Mixology ’17) and the architectural concept and interiors for Knight House in Sheffield.
"We are delighted to reward Bianca for her hard work and commitment in this way", company Director & Founder David Holt commented. "Over the last four years, we’ve had the pleasure of seeing her creative ability and ideas grow in stature, along with her increasing ability to control and deliver entire projects."
74 is currently undergoing a period of growth, with further new additions to the team also being made, and a promising schedule of major projects on the drawing board, ranging from masterplanning and place-making to new-build architecture and interiors across the residential, workplace, hospitality and urban planning spectrum.
Yousef's role will also include increased responsibility within the business in terms of project-running and resourcing as the company continues to grow in size and range.
"This is a really exciting opportunity for me to make a positive impact on the future of 74 and to get more involved in the running of the company," Bianca Yousef added. "As well as overviewing project work and reviewing and critiquing the team’s designs as they evolve."
DuPont sells to LG Chem
(USA) - DuPont Electronics & Imaging completes sale of its OLED technology and associated assets to LG Chem.
Assets included in the sale are intellectual property related to DuPont’s soluble OLED technology, and certain equipment for the production of soluble OLED materials and devices. The sale did not include assets or business associated with DowDuPont’s existing evaporative OLED business.
DuPont and LG Chem have also agreed to work together during an extended period of technology transfer to assure a smooth transition and ensure needs are met for ongoing development and customer engagements. Financial details were not disclosed.
www.dow-dupont.com / www.lgchem.com
