Lighting in Design February-March 2018

Ed Space

I n this issue of Lighting in Design, there are two articles that consider lighting design as a profession. In the first, Gregg Cocking speaks to Tanzanian lighting designer Sakina Dugawalla about her love of her profession and how the discipline fares in Africa, while in the second AnthonyTischhauser of Pamboukian lightdesign discusses the German concept of Wertschätzung as it relates to lighting design. Both parties feel that like the architect, who controls the spacial and operational aspect of a building, the lighting designer should control the feel and impact of light. Both acknowledge this role is often not recognised by clients and other professionals. Europeans generally have an appreciation and understanding of the value of light and its effect on a space, and clients are often prepared to pay for the right quality of light. In South Africa and much of the rest of Africa the value of lighting design is not widely recognised. Any discussion around the topic of architectural lighting tends to be dominated by cost and, to quote Tischhauser, in most cases, when a project is cost engineered something inevitably gets lost. Sakina agrees and feels the solution is to build awareness of the importance of lighting design by working hand in hand with the architectural, landscape and interior design disciplines. Although clients frequently see lighting designers as an expensive and unnecessary cost, they are trained to understand the design intent of the architect, are familiar with the technical competencies of light fittings and are equipped to find an aesthetic and practical solution that the client can appreciate and afford. As she points out, a lighting designer can also design (or re-design, if called on at a later stage, as is so often the case) an installation to be energy ef- ficient, and ensure cost savings. At the offices of Czechoslovakian energy company innogy, Philips Lighting has installed an LED lighting system tuned to support the circadian rhythms of the of- fice staff, including stimulating their energy levels at set times in the day.This helps to enhance workplace comfort and vision, and supports a sense of wellbeing and performance.The combination of natural and electric lighting plays a significant role in the aesthetic and functional environment of RCL Foods’ head office and Caldas Engineering, for its new offices, specified maximum use of natural light in order to reduce the consumption of energy. When the services of a lighting designer are enlisted from the start of a project, that designer is responsible for the quality of the space – the aesthetic, the techni- calities, the cost and the success of the lighting installation. In the final outcome, he or she will have earned their charge, saved the client money and ensured the comfort of the people who inhabit the space. As more companies become aware of the physiological benefits of light, the effects of well placed luminaires, and the ever-growing cost of energy, there is a chance that the value of employing a qualified lighting designer at the outset of a project will be realised and lighting designers be given the chance to show their mettle. Let’s hope so.

Editor: Karen Grant (crownmag@crown.co.za) Journalist: Gregg Cocking Advertising manager: Carin Hannay (carinh@crown.co.za)

Layout: Adel JvR Bothma Circulation: Karen Smith Cover: Caldas Engineering Photograph courtesy Architects Of Justice. Published by Crown Publications cc PO Box 140, Bedfordview, 2008 - Tel: +27 (0)11 622 4770 Fax: +27 (0)11 615 6108 - Website: www.crown.co.za

ABC 4 th quarter: 3 568 Printed by: Tandym Print All issues of Lighting in Design can be viewed on our website. Visit www.lightingindesignmagazine.co.za

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LiD FEB/MAR 2018