wrap your spaces in social media
We live in a time where many people feel trapped by digital screens. With our mobile devices, every new app fights for a precious slice of our attention bandwidth. Out and about, digital signage screams for our attention in every store, bus … Continue reading wrap your spaces in social media
social walls
“Social walls” are an interesting new concept. Content aggregator services pull together data streams from various social media sites like Instagram or Twitter, based on desired hashtags, geo-fencing, or other qualifiers. These content streams can be displayed in a variety … Continue reading social walls
xal – muse
Another interesting proof-point in my prognosis that lighting and ceiling systems are fusing together into new hybrid/embedded systems. XAL launched its Muse product line, which integrates LED office lighting into vertical hanging acoustic baffles. Check out the video below for … Continue reading xal – muse
sosolimited – tidal light
Boston-based interactive design firm Sosolimited recently installed a public art piece at the Charleston Navy Yard on the tip of Constitution Wharf. According to their press release: ● Custom software collects data in real time from National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration … Continue reading sosolimited – tidal light
fanpictor
Fanpictor is a Swiss startup that engages mobile devices in unique concepts at large events. It ties mobile devices into large light shows and various other forms of fan engagement and analytics. They apparently use some cool tricks to pull … Continue reading fanpictor
nike unlimited stadium
In 2016, Nike created a brand activation in Manila that temporarily erected a 200-meter “figure 8” running track the size of city block. The “stadium” featured a running track lined with LED screens, where up to 30 runners at a … Continue reading nike unlimited stadium
willow
Willow is a Sydney-based startup that provides comprehensive digital data management services for buildings. Willow’s primary offering takes a page from GE’s concept of “digital twins” for industrial equipment: The “Willow Twin” takes in all the operating data of a … Continue reading willow
why CCT tuning in the work environment is not enough
Check out this excellent blog post and test scenario by Kevin Willmorth, owner of Wisconsin-based Lumenique. I agree with most of his conclusions in his post, but with two comments: First, I hope to see other optics laboratories replicate the … Continue reading why CCT tuning in the work environment is not enough
trip the light fantastic
I think I just found the OFFICIAL THEME SONG for the lighting industry! The first ~2 minutes of lyrics are some of the most charming lyrics I’ve ever heard about light! Plus a nice big orchestra, a marching beat and … Continue reading trip the light fantastic
bGrid
bGrid is an Amsterdam-based startup developing a “smart building” sensing platform based around the Bluetooth Low Energy standard. According to their site: bGrid develops, markets and sells smart building products and services that use state-of-the-art communications technology, with focus on … Continue reading bGrid
revr studios – interactive VR
Revr Studios is a Madrid-based rendering studio and VR software that was spun-out of Lighting Design Collective. Check out this video demonstrating the capabilities of live rendering + VR visualization for exploring architectural lighting design. Continue reading revr studios – interactive VR
“the light watch” concept
Rogier van der Heide shared a technical concept via LinkedIn which he has submitted to the upcoming Lux Awards program. Rogier is taking the capabilities of “LiFi” or “coded light” and applying them specifically to museum applications. LiFi is quite simple: … Continue reading “the light watch” concept
inventdesign – “gobo” series
Amsterdam-based InventDesign recently launched a line of decorative LED wall panels which they call their “Gobo” series. A “low resolution” RGB LED engine with ~38mm pixel pitch combined with decorative cut-out facing panels makes for a nice stand-alone decorative wall … Continue reading inventdesign – “gobo” series
energie IP
Energie IP is a Paris-based startup that is developing a building management system (BMS) based on Power-over-Ethernet technology (PoE). PoE holds promise in architectural projects to accomplish three key objectives: Distribute DC power with inherent IP-connectivity to the thousands of … Continue reading energie IP
vantot
VANTOT is an Eindhoven-based design studio started by two recent Design Academy graduates. I saw one of their products, “Current Currents” at the Frozen Fountain, a perennially fabulous design shop in Amsterdam. I love the art deco/arts-and-crafts style of the product. … Continue reading vantot
solar visuals
Solar Visuals is a Dutch technology start-up that combines solar-PV arrays with printed overlay graphics to create electricity-generating cladding surfaces for architectural applications. The individual PV cells can be custom arranged for distinctive layouts and the panels are completely laminated/encapsulated … Continue reading solar visuals
ettlin lux
Ettlin is a German manufacturer of high-tech textile products with several R+D efforts focused on architectural applications, including Ettlin Lux, a line of architectural “embedded” lighting panels and Ettlin Tec, which is exploring conducting textiles with integrated sensing and electronics. … Continue reading ettlin lux
limbic media
Limbic Media is a startup based in British Columbia that is developing real time, interactive lighting controls. Their first product is a sound-activated, predictive control system called “Aurora” with intelligent “AI” learning functions. Beyond their initial product based on audio … Continue reading limbic media
wh1 house by kdva architects
Most of the time I’m looking towards the future of lighting. But sometimes I’m blown away by a project that so embodies the present state-of-the-art, that its worthy of inclusion. I came across the WH1 House, a vacation home in … Continue reading wh1 house by kdva architects
megablast
Some vintage images for my old Color Kinetics colleagues. Circa April 2007, our very first “MegaBlast” prototype at the old 10 Milk Street office location in the Financial District of Downtown Boston. Our engineers put the first prototype optics on … Continue reading megablast
Lucept 