Philips gives MELDA awards the 'green' light

The Middle East Lighting Design Awards (known as MELDA) celebrate the creativity of the world's leading lighting designers who are enhancing the region's built environment through the power of light.

With climate change, Kyoto targets, rising energy prices, energy shortage and pressure to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are major issues in today's world. However, Philips has been taking a lead in lighting technology that makes a significant difference in terms of energy and CO2 savings.

The company points out that more than 90% of the total cost of lighting is energy and prices of energy are rising year by year. 'Switching over to energy efficient lighting systems can save on running costs,' said Vikash Banwarie, Philips ME

MELDA is also supported by the International Association of Lighting Designers and Lighting Urban Community International, and is sponsored by Martin Professional Middle East and mondo*arc the international architectural lighting journal.

The awards will be judged by an independent panel including Lighting Designer Ziad Fattouh, Delta Lighting and Jeff Willis, Arup, who is also one of the founder members of the Emirates Green Building Council. The winners will be presented at a gala dinner at the Park Hyatt Dubai on 27 April 2008, attended by leading international lighting designers and senior professionals involved in the delivery of the region's major projects.

MELDA is an integral part of PALME Middle East which takes place from 27-29 April 2008 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, now firmly established as one of the world's biggest integrated technology forums and the Middle East's largest gathering of entertainment industry professionals.

The 2007 lighting design awards were the first of their kind and created a benchmark of excellence. More than 80 entries contested just eight awards. For 2008, a further two categories have been included in the innovative product category. The awards cover projects within the Middle East, including the Gulf Co-operation Council countries as well as Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iran and Egypt.