August 2011

Willard Warren, energy advisor for the North American lighting journal LD+A, recently pointed out in one of his columns that the building profession was in danger of regressing from the classic process of ‘form follows function' to ‘form follows energy efficiency'. He went on to say that lighting designers should resist being co-opted by building energy efficiency rather than by optimal visual performance and should strive instead to create concepts that serve the function for which they were intended. In this issue we cover a number of lighting projects in which this is the case.

The first is the revamp of the Place des Arts by Canadian lighting company, Lightemotion. The Place des Arts is a cultural arts complex in Montreal and the lighting objective was to create a fusion between light and architecture, with lighting emanating from different elements to create a fuller and more integrated experience. The result, with its various lighting dynamics, is spectacular.

Closer to home, Pamboukian lightdesign was responsible for the lighting concept of South Point Central in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. Lighting for the structure underlines its minimalist feel through the choice of a single light source, the fluorescent tube, in two shapes-linear and circular-with warm accent light over specific areas. It is a dramatic installation that highlights the bare and clean feel of the structure.

One of the good things that has come out of our concern with energy conservation is an increased use of daylight, which creates a healthy environment that has a positive effect on the occupants of a building. In the new Engineering 3 and Parkade Building at the University of Pretoria, daylight has used to maximum effect, particularly in the laboratories where lux level sensors have been employed along with direct/indirect luminaires to ensure a constant, comfortable level of light. Further energy savings are accrued through the installation of motion sensors in the lecture halls, toilet facilities and service areas. With enough energy efficient light sources strategically placed throughout, it appears as though here too light follows both function and energy conservation.

To round off we also look at two clothing stores that have recently been revamped using only LEDs; one local and one overseas. Enjoy!

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