Electrolight

Culture and leadership

September 21st, 2011 by paul

I recently had the pleasure of spending some time with the leadership group of Zumtobel.

Zumtobel is an Austrian lighting manufacturer who produces high quality luminaires servicing the architectural lighting market. The Australian branch of the company is based in Sydney and run by Marianna Jackson. Marianna’s team that I met has worked with her on average well in excess of 10 years. There is a camaraderie among the team and a genuine fondness and respect for one another that was as delightful to see as it was unusual. The team were also united behind the product range that they represent, absolutely.

I have been reading Tribal Leadership by Dave Logan et al recently as well as other stuff on heroic versus port-heroic leadership styles. A strong company culture such as that created and then nurtured by Marianna is very special. When I asked her about it, of course she played it down but it was evident that she treats her team with respect, provides them with the support and encouragement they need to grow and has fun along the way.

No wonder they stick around.

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Tape Melbourne

September 14th, 2011 by paul

Photo: Christopher Knowlton

Never has the humble roll of sticky tape looked more spectacular and elegant than at the installation of Tape Melbourne which opened to the public this week.

Open until 24^th September this giant structure created entirely from sticky tape (30kms to tape to be exact) spans the West Terrace of Fed Square in what looks like a cross between spiders web and a tendon-like organic form. Visually intriguing from the outside, the creators Numen/For Use invite visitors to remove their shoes and ascend a small step ladder into the structure for a crawl through a foreign world.

The form and scale of the object are truly impressive. Lit with a few simple parcans the layers of tape reveal their complex composition to create some fascinating patterns giving the whole form a unique texture.

As public art, this piece really seems to engage. Business men in suits to the hipster uni crowd were keen to get inside and experience the piece up close and personal…..and isn’t that the point of public art? Well worth a visit, I loved it!

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Let’s get rid of mercury vapour street lights

September 8th, 2011 by paul

In suburban streets around Australia you can witness one of the most flagrant wastes of energy going around. These streets are typically lit by 80W mercury vapour lamps in outdated light fittings. What’s the problem with this? There are many. The lamps suffer from lumen depreciation – a deterioration in light output over time. After about 4 years a mercury vapour lamp will typically emit about 50% of it’s initial light output. But the problem, paradoxically, is that the lamps don’t fail. Instead, they continue to lose light output for a very long time while drawing increasing amounts of power. It is not unusual for a mercury vapour lamp to be still running at 20% of it’s initial light output while drawing 120% of the rated power (96W for an 80W rated lamp). To put this into context, you’d be better off having an incandescent lamp instead of MV (and it would look a whole lot better too). In my local council of Darebin you might as well switch the lights off for the light they provide.

I’m not suggesting we buy up the last of the incandescent lamps and light our streets with them. But I am suggesting that Councils invest in a bulk replacement of this outdated technology and move forward with a more sustainable alternative. A fluorescent alternative would yield typically a 69% saving in energy, far superior colour rendition and lumen maintenance.

Householders are doing their bit, installing water tanks and solar panels on their roofs. It’s about time councils did theirs.

Ever wondered why the light can't get out?

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International guest designer – Christopher Knowlton

September 7th, 2011 by paul

We are delighted to welcome Christopher Knowlton to our studio. Chris has relocated to Melbourne from London and will be with us for a period of 6 months.

To say that Chris is a lighting enthusiast is an understatement. He has been involved with creative arts since age 12 (yes, they start them young in the UK) and has developed his design repertoire through dance, theatre and now architectural lighting. Chris has completed a masters degree in Light and Lighting at the presigious Bartlet School of Architecture in London and was named Young Lighter of the Year in 2011. We are very pleased to have Chris here in the studio and look forward to rich collaboration over these coming months.

Christopher Knowlton

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Tips for lighting entrepreneurs?

August 26th, 2011 by paul

I am giving a paper to the PLDC conference in Madrid in October which is all about how to set up and run a successful lighting design practice.

I know that many readers of this blog are entrepreneurs themselves – I believe that there are some common issues that would apply if you run a lighting or any other kind of business. What are they? I’m interested in things like the business side of the role, developing the right culture for the team, the role of social media, your brand. So much to consider…

Do you have any pearls of wisdom that you would like to share to help others successfully navigate the seas of small business? If so, I would love to hear from you either by leaving a comment or emailing me at info@electrolight.com.au

Thanks in advance, Paul Beale

Jay-Z: I'm not a businessman, I'm a business.... man

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Lonsdale Street, Dandenong

August 16th, 2011 by paul

Lonsdale Street Dandenong has been one of our favourite projects over the past few years. Now it has come to a close and the last job has been to send out our wonderful photographer Shannon McGrath to capture the scheme. And what a great job she has done – check out the photos below…

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LightCycle – The Dean Phillips Prize

August 16th, 2011 by paul

For the first time in this year’s LightCycle we have matched up an entrant to the competition with a high-end lighting manufacturer: the Dean Phillips Prize. The idea is that the designer’s light fixture will be featured in the range of Dean Phillips Lighting; one of Australia’s eminent lighting companies.

And the winner is NICK STEVENSON with his amazing Pomegranate light. We look forward to seeing this fixture adorn the pages of Dean’s next catalogue.

Pomegranate by Nick Stevenson

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LightCycle – People’s Choice Winner Announced

August 5th, 2011 by paul

Thank you to everyone who voted for their people’s choice in the LightCycle competition via our Facebook page.

And the winner is……

FILTER by Liquid Architecture, just ahead of Umbra.

For anyone who hasn’t seen this in the flesh is really is quite a remarkable light fixture. You can vary the lighting level by inserting of withdrawing the central section of the fitting. Not only that, it is really beautifully made and looks super-sexy!

Filter

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Kit Cuttle to talk in Melbourne on behalf of IALD

August 1st, 2011 by paul

Next Thursday 11 August, on behalf of the IALD, Kit Cuttle is in town to present a paper to the AIA called “Rethinking Lighting”.

I have heard Kit talk before at an international lighting design conference and can recommend him. Kit asks “how do humans really perceive light and spaces?” He proposes a fundamental rethink of how lighting should be assessed and designed so that the human response, visual clarity and assimilation with architecture are considered to ensure that designs are elegant.

There will be a lot to learn whether you are a lighting practitioner or an architect who understands the importance of lighting.

Details: Thu 11 August, 8.30 for a 9.00 start at the AIA, Seminar Room 1, 41 Exhibition St.

Cost $20 – or, get this, FREE if you are a friend of Electrolight and not from the lighting industry. If you would like to come along email info@electrolight.com.au and we will add you to our RSVP list as an invited guest of Electrolight.

Kit Cuttle

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LightCycle – designers help a good cause

August 1st, 2011 by paul

One of the most satisfying things about this year’s LightCycle competition is that it has created an opportunity for designers to make a contribution to the fabulous good cause that is Donkey Wheel House.

Here’s what Donkey Wheel House say about themselves: ”We have a passion for social change, constantly seeking ideas that move away from today’s problems and instead, create a new world. We believe extraordinary change happens when people think differently – and that leaders of grass roots level change need to be supported and nurtured so that their ideas can take root and flourish. We have therefore always sought passionate leaders with ideas that demonstrate a DIFFERENT way of thinking.”

The lighting to the basement level of DWH is in need of renovation. the LightCycle competition has generated some fabulous lighting creations. All entrants to LightCycle have agreed to donate their light to Donkey Wheel House. Thus, the competition has married a good cause in need of some lights with some of the most talented designers in Melbourne and the result is that DWH will be lit, to an extent at least, by entries to the LightCycle competition.

At Electrolight, we would like to express our gratitude to everyone who has got involved with LightCycle. We gave you a difficult challenge and a short amount of time and you responded so wonderfully. And your efforts will go a long way to helping a very good cause.

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