Lighting in Design Q2 2022

all the integrated technology. “We are waiting to see the ramp-up in E-charging in South Africa, and the Shuffle will be a perfect product for that. Universities, particularly, have shown a lot of interest in the Shuffle withWi-Fi, charging stations, SOS (to name a few) and we are also able to specify this to the needs of the customer.” Combrink says that while abroad the Shuffle has been used predominantly in urban areas, parks, plazas and to showcase historical areas, he believes that locally – and this has been backedup by feedback from the market – the focus will be placed on the Shuffle’s functional features and security aspects. Nobody knows exactly what the future will look like, so adaptability is built into the company’s smart city products. Shuffle modules can be added, replaced or exchanged as requirements evolve. But the pole itself isn’t going anywhere: Shuffle is a sustainable solution.

throughout the city centre, there was no need to dig up the ground around the UNESCO World Heritage sites. European examples Also in Germany, the Bundesgartenschau is a garden festival which lasts 173 days and enables cities to create sensational outdoor spaces and events. Heilbronn was the 2019 host city, drawing 2.3 million visitors to projects including the transformation of the Neckarbogen area into a “district of the future,” complete with almost 300 Shuffle columns. All are fitted with LED lighting and an Owlet IoT control system to adapt lighting for events taking place. Some have WiFi hotspots and others have charging points for electric cars. As the smart city becomes a new reality, residents of the area are early adopters for the fully-connected neighbourhood. Shuffle’s endless adaptability is a springboard for innovation. One particularly creative way to use them is to create site-specific installations. It could be information about sports teams in Shuffles around their stadium, facts about marine life on a seafront walk, or taking visitors on an interactive journey with a touch of immersive smartphone magic. Another hit with young visitors is Pairi Daiza, a 65-hectare wildlife park in Belgium. Open all year, it needs to be lit in a way that respects the animals’ needs. When the client explained their specifications, Schréder designed bespoke elements for the Shuffle to ensure the columns blended in seamlessly with the landscape and didn’t disrupt the animal inhabitants who live there. The light poles are also available with a specific coating that makes it adapted to demanding environments such as seafronts and piers, such as Uberlingen’s Seepromande, an elegant boardwalk along the German shores of Lake Constance. Around 50 Shuffle poles light the lakefront, with Wi-Fi installed in several to ensure even coverage. While switching to LED lighting will provide energy savings for the town, their main driver is creating a welcoming evening ambiance and adding connectivity. A local perspective Froma South African perspective, BEKA Schréder’s Grant Combrink notes that the Shuffle is one of the company’s premium products. However, there have been numerous installations and proposals to fuel companies, schools and universities, mostly due to the versatile nature of this product with

www.beka-schreder.co.za/www.schreder. com

17

LiD Q2 - 2022