The latest in illumination, plus Stephen Kennett finds out how lighting helped create a futuristic setting for Salford University’s pioneering ‘Think Lab’ facility

The ‘Think Lab’ at the University of Salford is one of only four such labs in the world – a place where virtual reality comes alive.

The pioneering scheme provides a facility where researchers can come and don special goggles and gloves which allow them to take part in interactive 3D simulations – or where audiences can sit and experience the sort of video conferencing that makes it feel like you’re sitting in the same room as your colleagues on the other side of the world.

Such a futuristic facility ideally needed a suitably ultramodern setting, but as it is situated inside the University’s Maxwell Building – a 1960s tower block – this was easier said than done.

According to Antony Meadows of SI Sealy Associates, lighting designers, they had to work within the confines of the existing structure and space was very tight. “The client wanted to create a space in the building that had a life of its own,” says Meadows. “At the early design meetings, it was decided to try and use light to achieve this and to make it a dynamic space.”

At the entrance of the laboratory, visitors are welcomed by a dramatic light wall. The 9 m long by 3 m high wall is part of the main circulation space but it can also be viewed from most of the offices.

Designed by Broadway Malyan Architects and lighting consultants SI Sealy & Associates, the wall is curved in two planes. The original plan was to construct the wall using a single sheet of glass – however, access restrictions meant this would be impossible to install. “We then looked at forming it from a number of sections, but the manufacturing tolerances weren’t tight enough and we couldn’t guarantee that it would fit together as a seamless unit on site,” recalls Meadows.

Instead, the design team’s solution was to create a wall that uses around a hundred individual glass tiles – each interlinked to create a seamless lighting effect. Behind these panels, components are installed from Zumtobel’s Active Light Wall range, linked to a Luxmate control system to produce dynamic programmable colours and effects.

As nothing like this had been done before, a number of prototypes were developed to determine what type of glass would create the best lighting effects and, crucially, what the optimum distance needed to be between the glass and the lamps to prevent them being visible as shadows.

“The glass manufacturer told us what they could deliver but couldn’t tell us which solution would be the most effective – and Zumtobel has never done anything like this before, so it was down to us to come up with the answer,” explains Meadows.

The first mock-up was used to determine the spacing as this was crucial in allowing the design to proceed. Next, Meadows took samples of glass and, in his living room at home, tried out shining light through the various types. The best effects were created using an opaque laminate which provided a homogeneous light across the entire tile.

Finally a full-size mock-up was assembled to enable them to look at the buildability issues. “At each stage we had to be able to go into client meetings and say confidently it would work; there was no going back once we had decided to go down this route,” says Meadows.

The fittings are mounted on specially designed brackets to make installation and maintenance easier and the rear of the wall is designed to open in two sections to allow access for lamp replacement. Three coloured T16 flourescent lamps – with red, green and blue filters – provide the variety of effects that can be created by the wall. These range from a dynamic lighting frenzy through to subtle illumination, from intense flashes of colour to cold shines.

Meadows has preprogrammed the wall with 12 lighting scenes, but the university can also programme in its own scenes. It is considering a ‘cool wall’ for summer and a ‘warm wall’ for winter.

At the core of the facility is the debating chamber, a sound proof convex room wired for virtual reality operations and video conferencing. Motion activated cameras throughout the chamber track users and allow them to interact with virtual images on a back projected power wall.

Within the debating chamber, Zumtobel Lighting has provided over 150 luminaires including a mix of Mellow Light IV, Perluce, Aero, Light Fields, Lucco Pendants and Panos downlights – all controlled using a DALI Luxmate system that provides digital communication with every luminaire, enabling the functions of the whole lighting installation to work together.

The ‘Think Laboratory’ has now been open for six months. “So far, the design has proved a big success in putting the facility on the map,” says Meadows. “There has been a lot of interest, with people curious to come and see it.”

Concord:marlin channels flush lighting

Channel from Concord:marlin is a discreet linear T5 lighting system that will blend into most contemporary interiors. Suitable for a variety of environments including offices, meeting rooms, corridors, reception spaces, stairs and other commercial spaces, the sleek luminare offers an entirely flush-recessed linear lighting solution.

Available in single units or extended runs, for walls or ceilings, Channel can also be set up in a 90º configuration, for installations within wall or ceiling angles. All Channel modules have an extruded aluminium profile, opal polycarbonate diffuser and HF electronic gear as standard.

Recessed Channel modules are availalbe in four lengths, from 1177 mm to 2860 mm, with one or two 28 W or 35 W T5 battens – but they can also be butted together for continuous linear runs.

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Line of sight

Hacel Lighting has launched the Linaj range of light fittings. Units are available in two lengths and comprise a pair of etched glass fascias, a steel body and tamperproof chrome retainers. They can be mounted horizontally or vertically and are powered by a range of electronic gear including emergency and dimming facilities.

A choice of vibrant coloured filters can be added to either fascia, transforming the appearance. Its versatility is further enhanced by its ability to be linked in order to form impressive lines of light making it suited to retail, commercial and architectural applications.

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Slim fit

P4 Limited has launched what it claims is the world’s slimmest T5 low profile inverter for the latest generation of T5 linear lamps. Its 21 mm depth enables its integration into the most shallow luminaire or extrusion.

Another breakthrough is the vastly increased wattage range, from 6 W-58 W. It can be used with either nickel metal hydride or nickel cadmium batteries, and is available in different versions depending on the location, budget or application.

The T5 ultra low profile inverter incorporates transformer energy-absorption charging technology to achieve low operating temperatures and energy consumption.

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New generation of waveline luminaires

RIDI Lighting’s shallow profile T5 Waveline diffuser luminaire is now available with a tough, polycarbonate reeded lens. This evolution of the Waveline series adds impact resistance and fire retardance to its list of features and is available in reeded prismatic or ‘soft effect’ white opal options. It has also been designed to distribute an upward light element to add visual interest and to prevent the oppressive effect of a darkened ceiling. RIDI has also developed a unique ‘tool-less’ diffuser removal mechanism which guarantees valuable time-saving during routine maintenance.

The Waveline benefits from a sleek 60 mm slimline profile body, and can be either ceiling mounted, semi-recessed or wire suspended. Lamp options are single and twin T5 lamp permutations, and there is a three-hour integral emergency option available.

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Seeing double

WILA’s Double Focus Luminaire has been designed to provide discreet illumination, particularly in rooms with high ceilings.

Illumination is determined by a parabolic focus reflector equipped with a glare cowl. The luminaire can also be equipped with either a prism cover or safety screen.

The Double Focus Luminaires are equipped with ceramic metal halide lamps (HIT-CRI) of either 35 W, 70 W or 150 W which provide an efficiency of 58%.

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Lighting for loos

Lighting management manufacturer Ex-Or has added washroom management functionality to its Light Spot presence-detecting lighting controls.

For the first time, Light Spot units installed in male washrooms not only switch on the lights automatically when a visitor enters the area, but also activates a valve in the cistern inlet pipe to flush the urinals.
Previously, specifiers wanting urinal control had to specify Ex-Or's standalone LooSpot washroom management system to control automatic flushing cisterns in male washrooms.

The manufacturers claim that there is a significant saving in energy and water costs when using a combined system, compared to separate controls.

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Long life fluorescents

Greenstock has launched a range of 48,000 hour long life compact fluorescent lamps in the UK.

The Unique-L lamps from Aura are believed to be the first long life versions of the PLL compact fluorescent lamps offered in the market. These high output compact fluorescent lamps with their familiar four-pin 2G11 caps have a guaranteed life of up to 48,000 hours when operated on electronic ballasts and on a 12-hour switching cycle – three times longer than standard PLL lamps.

Designed as a first-fit or a replacement lamp, its high output and high colour rendering make it suitable for many applications. The Unique-L Cool version can operate between 15°C to -15°C and is available in 18 W, 24 W, 36 W and 55 W white and warm white types.

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Two in one

The new DALI-M Sensor multi sensor, from Tridonic Atco combines the function of a light sensor with that of a PIR motion detector and is suitable for use in luminaires, suspended ceilings, concealed boxes and surface mounting. The DALI-M Sensor for luminaire installation is a small unit with a diameter of just 46 mm, making it almost invisible when integrated. The DALI-M Sensor for installation in concealed boxes and suspended ceilings offers different benefits, as it can be swivelled through 15º which increases the detection range by two metres.

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Building Sustainable Design