L IGHTING
Super savings LED luminaires can be adopted over a huge range of applications. Factories, school campuses, social housing schemes, big box retailers, hotels and bars – all can enjoy impressive savings on energy costs.
It is estimated that lighting accounts for as much as 40% of a commercial building’s electricity bill; therefore, it’s little surprise that the transition to LED lighting has become so mainstream. Faced with rising energy
costs and increasingly stringent regulations on CO2 emissions, forward-thinking managers have recognised the opportunities to make substantial savings as LED technologies evolve, especially when paired with the latest control systems.
As technology develops, the boundaries on how light can be utilised are constantly changing. No longer confined to fixtures and fittings, light can be used in schemes such as wayfinding, fingerposts and wall signage, which in addition to being practical can also be something of an art form in themselves, with clean, stylish frames and hanging signs where space is limited.
However, savings are not limited to what goes on inside a building. Organisations can also make impressive savings by changing to the latest generation of LED luminaires in their signage. Today’s sophisticated systems consume far less energy than their incandescent equivalents – up to 90% less, in some cases – while matching or improving brightness.
The energy efficiency of the latest LED letters, for example, is in line with even the most stringent low energy consumption requirements, while a crisp and even illumination is aesthetically pleasing.
Designs on success Signage is one example of how developments in technology are driving the parameters of what can be achieved. While LED ribbon, can look stunning, it may also be difficult to fit and require some complex calculations to ensure spacing is correct.
The latest generation of LED modules, however, incorporate a built-in module spacer, which yields perfect pitch every time. With an impressive output – around 1,700 lumens, in some cases – they provide bright and even illumination for a large number of uses, many of which would be impossible to achieve with fluorescent tubes.
The PosterBox 3 range from SloanLED, for instance, is capable of illuminating anything from built-up letters and light boxes to cabinets and fabric signage, combining best- in-class brightness with flexible contouring. Optimising the light inside the space, the range is suitable for use at depths as shallow as 50mm.
Increased illumination leads to significantly fewer modules being needed to achieve the same level of brightness as their predecessors, resulting in impressive savings.
The modules were used by creative build specialists Aldworth James & Bond for the St John’s Gate installation
www.tomorrowsfm.com
‘Order’, at this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week. Marking the gateway to the design festival, the installation was inspired by the Cross of St John.
‘Order’ was lit from below to emphasise the octagonal structure through a pattern of light and shadow. The modules created the impression that the structure was glowing from within.
The modules were used to equally dramatic effect in a totally different scheme – to illuminate two large textile lightboxes for the VIP bar at the Leeds first direct arena. The display features 240 classic album covers from artists who have played the venue since it opened, creating a visually stunning centrepiece to the bar, re-named the Black and White Lounge.
Technology is enabling lighting
designers to uncover possibilities that do not cost the earth.
The high brightness illumination achieved by the PosterBOX 3 system across a width of up to three metres resulted in just two rows of facing modules being required to provide the desired amount of light. In fact, the display is so well- illuminated it is clearly visible from outside the arena.
Similarly, the latest generation of LED light sheet is around a fifth brighter than previous systems, without requiring an increase in energy consumption. It can be cut to specific measurements and used both indoors and out, with the option of adding lighting controllers to achieve different lighting effects.
These versatile panels can be used to create a dramatic feature wall, to illuminate glass and graphics, or in fascia or hanging signs. Unlike traditionally lit signs, that use fluorescent tubes or LED modules so need a back tray to hold components in place, the light sheet offers a slim profile of as little as 6mm.
The future’s bright Advances in technology are enabling lighting scheme designers to uncover new possibilities that do not cost the earth to run. One example of this is Applelec’s luxury illuminated letter range NeonLux. An energy-efficient alternative to glass neon, the range features embedded LEDs that can be used in a wide variety of both colours and font styles, and even shapes such as a cocktail glass.
The illumination produced is intense and clear, accurately replicating the effect of glass neon while remaining robust and cool to the touch thanks to specialised production techniques.
Lighting technology is constantly evolving and enabling more visually-appealing, yet practical schemes to be adopted, which has to be great news for designers, facilities managers and the environment alike.
www.applelec.co.uk TOMORROW’S FM | 37
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