caspar
Caspar is a startup focusing on learning/artificial intelligence systems for residential smarthome applications, especially for multi-unit residential developments. I definitely believe that lighting and other building systems need to become more automated, and the concept of a learning/auto-adjusting system fits … Continue reading caspar
the efficiency advantage of DC electrical infrastructure
We are at the inflection point of a new revolution: DC-power infrastructure is set to replace AC-infrastructure in many, if not most, commercial buildings. The case is simple: Almost every device in a modern building uses direct-current (DC), including LED … Continue reading the efficiency advantage of DC electrical infrastructure
lightglass
Lightglass, a Philadelphia company started in 2012, produces interior faux-glazing systems with a integrated LED back-lighting to create pleasant sensations of brightness at an architectural scale. Even though the optical effect is opaque white, it tricks the brain into thinking … Continue reading lightglass
LED track lighting is rapidly adopting 48VDC as a new standard
Over the past few years, there has been a clear trend for track lighting and other innovative “system” style architectural lighting products to adopt 48VDC instead the usual mains voltage 120VAC or 220-240VAC. 48VDC delivers a host of benefits, most … Continue reading LED track lighting is rapidly adopting 48VDC as a new standard
wave illumination
Wave Illumination is a startup spun out of Ocean Optics that is launching a handheld wireless photo-spectrometer paired with a smartphone app. Costs $2000. If lighting companies want to push narrowly-defined quality of light metrics into the market to charge … Continue reading wave illumination
teamlab – megaliths in the bath house
Yet another stunning project from TeamLab, this time a cluster of “megaliths” placed in an abandoned bathhouse. If you look closely in the video, you can clearly see the fine pixelation of the direct-view LED panels. I’m guessing 2mm or … Continue reading teamlab – megaliths in the bath house
visible spectrum image
I found this nicely composed chart for the visible spectrum, with an emphasis on the varying effects of blue light. I can’t find the original source but within the image it is credited to “High Performance Optics”. Continue reading visible spectrum image
ambient communications: research by Yasaman Mavvaj of TU Delft
Editor’s preface, Brad Koerner: This spring and summer I had the privilege of mentoring Yasaman Mavvaj, a graduate thesis student at TU Delft’s Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering. For the past several years, I’ve guest lectured at Professor Sylvia Pont’s … Continue reading ambient communications: research by Yasaman Mavvaj of TU Delft
bentley exp 100 gt concept car
Luxury automaker Bentley just revealed a concept car called the EXP100GT targeted for the year 2035. The design includes some captivating lighting features. It is especially notable how so many of the lighting features are animated, creating a sumptuous feeling … Continue reading bentley exp 100 gt concept car
day and light poster
Via Core77: Design studio Order order has developed a poster that visualizes exactly when the sun rises and sets each day, throughout the year. The graph consists of two axes, the vertical shows hours and minutes, the horizontal displays days. … Continue reading day and light poster
jiva materials
Jiva Materials is a London-based startup and project spin-out from RCA that has developed a non-toxic, biodegradable, flax-based circuit board substrate branded Soluboard. The circuit board peels apart and sheds its electronic traces after being soaked in hot water. Continue reading jiva materials
commonplace studio
Commonplace Studio is an Amsterdam-based design studio consisting of designer Jon Stam and hard- and software engineer Simon de Bakker. Stam and de Bakker are creating some very interesting concepts that integrate micro digital projectors into ceiling- and wall-luminaires to … Continue reading commonplace studio
guangzhou lighting exhibition 2019
This past week I attended and presented at the Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition 2019, staged by the excellent Messe Frankfurt Hong Kong team. My presentation was titled “From Architectural Lighting to Architectural Media“, in which I covered the transition to … Continue reading guangzhou lighting exhibition 2019
5 tips to prevent digital signage burnout
Digital signage systems are becoming pervasive in architectural environments, with widespread adoption in out-of-home marketing, wayfinding, menu systems, and retail branding. The steadily dropping cost of digital screens and cloud-based content distribution makes digital signage highly appealing to brands and … Continue reading 5 tips to prevent digital signage burnout
Business thinking for designers
Evolving from Designer to Product Manager The business world is convinced of the competitive advantage in bringing “design thinking” into various development processes. So why don’t more organizations select and help transition design professionals into key roles beyond traditional “design” … Continue reading Business thinking for designers
Should the AIA and RIBA sue tech companies for professional misrepresentation?
I proudly hold two degrees in Architecture. I spent 7 years of my life (and a huge sum of money) to earn these degrees and build a professional reputation in the construction and manufacturing industries. You know what is incredibly … Continue reading Should the AIA and RIBA sue tech companies for professional misrepresentation?
bloomberg video: how blue LEDs changed the world
Bloomberg recently released a nicely-produced video on the LED revolution, especially touching on Shuji Nakamura’s development of blue LEDs at Nichia: But I do find it bit humorous at the end of the video how they show LG’s curvy OLED … Continue reading bloomberg video: how blue LEDs changed the world
archilumo
Archilumo is a Dutch startup launching a very interesting range of planar LED architectural lighting. I’ve long wondered why fixture manufacturers don’t explore more interesting forms of flat, planar lighting – given the propensity of architects to want to treat … Continue reading archilumo
signify’s 3D-printed “MyCreation” series
Signify is slowly revealing more of its commercial-scale 3D-printing program, launching the consumer-focused offering “Philips MyCreation” in the Netherlands and Germany. MyCreation allows home consumers to mix and match from a massive variety of styles and colors to build their … Continue reading signify’s 3D-printed “MyCreation” series
lightwave laser
Lightwave Laser is a Santa Rosa, California based company that makes a variety of architectural-scale laser-cut panels. They have a nice collection of back-lit application examples. Like my work with Luminous Patterns, I believe this area embedded luminous architecture is ripe for innovative new concepts. Continue reading lightwave laser
Lucept 