Lighting in Design February-March 2018

The most crucial issue is convincing clients they need to pay another professional. The market is competitive, and those who supply the cheap- est solution usually end up winning the project, making it difficult for architectural/interior design studios to add lighting design to their proposals. However, Rome was not built in a day. It took time, planning and patience, and I knew when I gave up employment to establish Light.Func that it would be the most challenging thing I have ever done.We keep fighting. There have been instances where a lighting solution ended up having to be redone from scratch. I read somewhere that bad design is not just ugly, it’s expensive, and it is my hope that more and more design professionals see the benefit of using a lighting designer because lighting truly can make or break a space. To an end user, I ask: would you let a tile manufacturer design your home or office?

GC: Can you tell us a bit more about the projects you are currently working on, in Tanzania and Zanzibar? SD: At present, the markets inTanzania and Zanzi- bar are struggling, as is the Middle East, primarily because of what we perceive is a recession, but also as a result of a primitive industry where lighting design is concerned. Suppliers with showrooms coerce clients to see their lights, and the selling point is; “Look at this, it is only 100,000 Tshs, it is bright and comes with a six month warranty”. Sometimes our suggestions are accepted verbally, and we later find the project has been supplied without our knowledge. We worked on Fumba Uptown Villas in Zanzibar where we supplied a master plan for the street lighting. Fumba is a vision by Mr Said Bakhressa and his company Union Property Developers Ltd to create the first luxury gated villa community in Zanzibar. Bakhressa decided to raise the bar for life- style and architecture by developing a standalone community that would have its own residential, retail and leisure facilities.We undertook the design through the main consultant and, working closely with the client, developed a complete street light- ing solution that is part of the overall masterplan. The challenge was to find an energy efficient, long- life solution that was also unique. Custom-made marine grade pole-lighting was designed so that we achieved the least environmental impact us- ing European and International Standards. We did extensive studies to ensure the colour temperature used would not impact the ecological environment and further that the levels achieved should coincide with a rural setting, so as to not destroy the dark sky element.We also re-designed the initial lighting design concept of the villas. Using our expertise, we were able to find a more economical solution for the interior, which still gave the residences a hos- pitality feel inside and outside. Most importantly, we managed to drastically cut down the exterior lighting by finding a 2-in-1 solution of lighting out- door verandas and balconies with fixtures that illuminated the façade architecturally. The savings on power consumption, and the eventual economic impact were massive. We are also involved with a heritage site on the mainland, a pro bono job to raise awareness of the cultural history of Tanzania and Zanzibar as well as the importance of lighting design. We are also involved in private residences in Nigeria, some of which should be completed by Q2 next year. Everyone has a journey ... ours is light.

Sakina Dugawalla

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LiD FEB/MAR 2018

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