Detailed discussions of lighting related technologies.
Four years ago, I presented “The DC Powered Building” as part of the Smart Buildings Conference at Integrated Systems Europe, in which I explored how developing DC power infrastructure is a critical innovation in architectural systems. I made the point … Continue reading update on DC power in commercial buildings
As a lighting designer for many years, I came to the fervent belief that ASHRAE 90.1 needs to be overhauled to focus on power consumption, not installed load. And that was well over a decade ago. That has only become … Continue reading A PROPOSAL FOR ASHRAE 90.1: generous lighting wattage allowances when using self-generated DC-coupled power?
Wow! Great video from YouTube channel Veritasium exploring the original development of blue LEDs. I had no idea how hard it was for Shuji Nakamura to persevere in the R&D process for so long. Continue reading developing the blue LED
All in all, I think the U2 creative team nicely mined the key iconic ZooTV design elements. Two pieces really stand out: The insane text/data tower/collapsing ceiling effect in the middle of The Fly was intense. How it played with … Continue reading u2 opens las vegas sphere
On July 4th, 2023 the massive video screen on the exterior sphere of the MSG Las Vegas Sphere (or see the sphere’s Wikipedia page) was activated for the first time. Here’s some essential info from Wikipedia: Upon its completion, the … Continue reading las vegas sphere is alive
Lumencache is launching its next generation of centralized DC driver system for LED lighting, called ReNetA, primarily focused on residential applications. Lumencache is based on a modular power platform where different driver modules and a variety of gateway modules can be plugged in as needed. Derek Cowburn, the founder of Lumencache is running a Wefunder campaign to help launch this generation of product. Here’s Dereck Cowburn giving his pitch for his funding campaign: Continue reading lumencache reneta
YouSolar is a Santa Clara startup with a heavy duty solar/DC-based nanogrid system called PowerBloc for large/luxury residential or light commercial applications. To clip from their site: Say Hello to the PowerBloc. The YouSolar PowerBloc® is a solar nanogrid that … Continue reading yousolar
Acuity Lighting is launching a new DC power platform for architectural luminaires called DC2DC with a DCHUB component. Check out this in-depth article from LEDsMagazine on the specifics of the system. I’ve been a vocal proponent of the adoption of … Continue reading acuity DC2DC architecture
This YouTube video from Epic Light Media really caught my attention – it shows how cheap LCD-based “virtual walls” can already be used to profoundly change the concept of physical space. What 3 years ago was the sci-fi province of … Continue reading how to make a TV WINDOW look real
Cence Power is a Canadian startup developing an innovative DC power distribution system for commercial buildings. They use both high-voltage DC (HVDC) Class 4 distribution for longer cable run lengths, and low-voltage DC (LVDC) Class 2 distribution for shorter run … Continue reading cence power
Chataigne is a free, open-source software being developed by Ben Kuper as a common tool for artists, technicians and developers who wish to use technology and synchronize software for shows, interactive installations or prototyping. Via Hackaday. Continue reading chataigne
Purdue’s Center for High Performance Buildings renovated a historic residential home and powered it with a DC-powered nanogrid. Check out the article here and the video below. Check out Jonathan Ore’s Ph.D. dissertation here. Continue reading dc nanogrid house by purdue university
If you are looking for a distributor specializing in DC LED lighting, check out Phoenix, Arizona-based Marshall DC Lighting. Continue reading marshall dc lighting
Here’s a fascinating video from Lux Machina Consulting that gives a detailed behind-the-scenes look at setting up virtual production studios, such as the production process behind The Mandalorian. And I screen cap’d this great series showing the sequencing of one … Continue reading lux machina – virtual production
In continuing my experiments with Midjourney AI, for fun I tested entering the tagline of Lucept: “the future of architectural lighting” Much of the magic behind this system is the sample set it was trained on. But still, the poetry … Continue reading more AI image generation: the future of architectural lighting?
Check out this fantastic video from EventElevator detailing all the lighting, audio and video gear setup for Eurovision 2022, held in Turin, Italy. It is always fascinating to check out the latest and greatest in theatrical lighting technologies. Just mind … Continue reading eurovision 2022 behind the scenes
I was just granted access to Midjourney’s beta invite and ran a handful of quick tests to see how AI-based image generation will affect architectural lighting and experiential design. My first impression: WOW! The raw power for ideation and early … Continue reading imagination on demand: my 1st experiments in AI image generation
Is the architectural lighting industry really keeping pace with the rapid miniaturization of LEDs? Case in point, I stumbled upon this model supplies site on Alibaba that is offering mini LEDs pre-attached to wire leads. The seller’s photography beautifully illustrates … Continue reading incredible shrinking mini LEDs
Goldeneye is a California company that back around 2016 launched a very thin, diffused LED light engine/fixture based on a ceramic circuit board and housing. What is most interesting is that in 2020, they achieved an LBC Red List Free … Continue reading goldeneye airelight
Cool videos from Panasonic and Holoplot looking at the technology behind Illuminarium, a new location-based entertainment chain focused on immersive digital experiences. I haven’t visited their first location yet, but I’ll make a snap judgement: This won’t really feel truly … Continue reading illuminarium
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