The age of enlightenment

There is some debate as to who actually invented the very first incandescent electric light bulb.
The British believe Joseph Wilson Swan was the pioneer, and the Russians plump for Alexander Nikolayvich Lodygin. However, it was the American, Thomas Alva Edison, who first marketed the device successfully. Since then, the relatively simple invention has transformed the world as we know it.

From fibre optical zeon tools used in medicine, neon technology and halogen lighting for the entertainment industry, to the latest breakthroughs in surface light technology and LEDs, lighting is big business - and our expanding world needs to be lit.

Innovation and cutting-edge architecture is everywhere - but nowhere more so than in Dubai, where at least 14 percent of the world's cranes are helping to construct the world's fastest growing city.

The show, which is organised by Messe Frankfurt Dubai and aims to provide the perfect market place for new trends, technological developments and source products, is being held for lighting designers, architects, interior designers, light planners, design engineers, design consultants and a whole host of other industry experts.
From the latest in light bulb engineering and easy-to-install external lampposts, to innovative light boxes, invisible lamps and dynamic lighting, the future is certainly looking brighter.

Interior daylight
Paul Gregory of Focus Lighting Inc. believes smart installations, where lighting is programmable and offers a range of atmospheric options, is the way forward.

He says, "I think we will see a greater use of smart lighting fixtures like plug and play technology. Simply install the light, the system identifies it and understands, without special wiring or circuitry."

For commercial purposes, the greatest developments in smart interior lighting are based on physiological reactions to light quality. Research shows that human beings are vastly influenced by the light in their immediate environment. Poor levels can affect mood and motivations in the workplace, which in turn, can lead to poor performance.

Many solutions have been offered to combat office malaise, but none have been as innovative as the latest Dynamic Lighting system from Philips.

The fully integrated, smart lighting network simulates the natural patterns of the sun. Light quality in the early morning will be different to that at 10am, 12am and 3pm. Levels can be adjusted for personal preference, with options for cooler, warmer, dimmer or brighter light in individual work spaces.

If a fully automated system isn't quite what you had in mind, Pure Light range from Philips might be more appropriate. In an attempt to get way from eye-searingly traditional bulbs and glaring strips, the Savio offers panels with a large surface of light with a uniform and comfortable brightness that can either surface mounted, suspended or recessed.

And its sister unit, the Strato light box, goes one better by offering the dynamics of daylight with changing colour temperatures and brightness. The range is also available in a selection of colours, called Rainbow Strato.

Inside out
Meanwhile, external lighting is creating a new dimension to our night-time cityscape. From illuminating structures as impressive as the Burj Al Arab, to lighting up a back garden, the latest designs in external fixtures are bright to say the least.

Gregory believes that advances in LED technology over the past five years, has led the system to become the new black in terms of architectural, commercial and domestic lighting.

He says; "The common use of LED's in lighting fixtures has been the greatest development in lighting technology. Our projects are based on the beauty of multiple layers of lighting treatments (the accent on the tables that makes the silverware sparkle, backlight from the banquettes) these all need to be perfectly focused for the patron's experience to be the most memorable. The 50,000 hour average life expectancy of an LED gives us the ability to create complex designs that do not need constant maintenance while also solving the problem of re-lamping."

Currently most popular in the automotive and road sign industries, are the light designer's new best friend, because they don't omit UV rays like the more powerful halogen bulbs, are highly versatile and are available in a many colours.

Extremely energy efficient and long-lasting, they are often favoured by architects who need to light those hard-to-reach places with minimal maintenance fuss. It is even estimated that replacing incandescent lamps in all of America's some 260,000 traffic signals (red, green and yellow) could reduce energy consumption by nearly 2.5 billion kWh.

LED's are also stable when faced with extreme weather conditions, such as very low or high temperatures, which makes them an ideal external feature.

The latest flood light from Philips, called the LEDflood, is just one of the latest architectural innovations. Used for front and accent lighting, its high visual quality, combined with a long life light source and high-efficiency, provides a new and advanced lighting solution for outdoor flood lighting applications.
Osram have also won awards for their pioneering work in developing LEDs for commercial industry purposes after inventing the Ostar - a compact LED light source, and have led the way in exterior events lighting by illuminating the 2006 World Cup held in Munich earlier this year.
The Spirit of the Rainbow display, which took place at Munich Airport, ran 24 hours a day throughout the duration of the tournament.

Illuminating trends
As with any aesthetic industry, fashions fluctuate - and with lighting, that means technology evolves to meet the new challenges.
Gregory points out that the industry is undergoing a revolution, in terms of environmental reactions to light. He explains; "People want new encounters and are very aware of what is going on around the world. What was okay five years ago is not okay today. Just as Cirque du Soleil has taken the Las Vegas show to a new level, so does every restaurant, retailer, building lobby, hotel and museum want to give their patron a unique experience."

He also believes that designers are working harder to change the quality of light that has become standardized in recent years.

"I think there is a greater sensitivity to the combination of lighting and surface material. All you see is reflected light. You do not see the leather couch, the brick wall, or the marble counters; you only see the light that bounces off these surfaces into your eye. The combination of the surfaces and the light that bounces off it makes a special and unique experience."