Diary for March 2009
27th What are LEDs for?
I saw my very first ‘architectural’ LED about twenty years ago. It was small, and it was dim – but it was intriguing. The very small size of the semi-conductor source made them ideal for indicator lamps, but for architecture? We couldn’t see it – almost literally, we couldn’t see it. Fast-forward to today and we are looking at the LED as a possible replacement for much of our home lighting. How did that happen? The first architecturally-useful LED relied on the fact that the LED is a ‘n...
26th New lamps for old
Townhill Farm is a centre of creative excellence. And I work here, too; though when I’m outside I have to go about with a badge that reads ‘Designer – Beware’, just in case anyone mistakes me for an artist. I’m just back from re-lamping my partner’s studio. She works with organic fabrics, natural dyes and exotic dyeing techniques, so colour rendering is a common subject for discussion around the dinner table, and it’s usually my fault. Her studio lighting is a simple array of single-lamp f...
4th Reducing our energy usage
We are seeing the end of the traditional incandescent light bulb as governments around the world seek ways to reduce our energy consumption. In the EU, all incandescent lamps will be banned by 2012. We all grew up under the warm glow of the filament lamp and its a sad prospect that we are due to lose such a simple and practical lighting tool, but we have to accept the reality that all of us are using far more energy than the world can afford – and things have to change. What it means in practic...
1st Online turnoff
It’s strange where the mind takes you in those moments when it’s not chained down by the mundane business of earning a living. And thus I am surprised to find myself being drawn to Ayn Rand’s famous architect: Howard Rourk in The Fountainhead. It’s unlikely to have anything to do with Rand’s presentation of a man who refuses to accept any compromise to his view of the world (check this: Ed.) and much more to do with that scene in the film where Gary Cooper stares at the telephone, waiting for it...
John Bullock Lighting Design: 01305 889256
