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+44(0)1935 812447
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Email:
jb@jb-ld.co.uk
10-07-2014
I've been asked to present a talk at LUXLive on "How To Design Without Downlights".
(4pm on Wednesday 19th November; see you there)
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And why is this important? Well - its another opportunity for me to restore my karmic balance after spending too many of my formative years telling everyone how good the damned things are. If we’d known then what we know now, would we have bothered ?
(yes – of course we would)
The 1980s can be held to book for a lot of things and we can certainly send the decade down for entrenching three forms of downlighting on the design community:
1. the obvious form is that created by the low voltage tungsten halogen dichroic reflector lamp (to give it something like its full title). It’s the one that’s spread over home lighting and commercial lighting like a rash, to the extent that no one really wonders any more if there might be an alternative – which there is, of course.
2. the architect’s friend came from Germany, courtesy of ERCO Lighting, mainly because it was as near to invisible as you could ever hope not to see. Yes, the low brightness specular reflector system developed by Edison McGraw in the USA and championed by ERCO in Europe is THE architect’s light fitting. It was all about minimalism; it was never about LIGHT.
3. not usually described as a downlight (but that’s what it does – so that’s what it is) is the - usually - recessed modular fluorescent luminaire. Designed to keep reflections out of the fancy new computer screens that were appearing all over the place, this fitting still hasn’t had the decency to roll over and bury itself in history. The fixtures are still out there and still being installed – despite the reason for their existence having long since morphed into desktop LED screens/laptops/tablets/smartphones – none of which need to be protected against beastly, glare-y, ceiling lighting.
And that’s why we need to learn to look again at our interior lighting design and find ways “How To Design Without Downlights”.
Take a look at my Pinterest page; I’m asking for photographs of non-downlighting schemes – and I may well get round to asking for stupendously WRONG examples of downlighting schemes as well.
And if you'd like to read more about lighting for the home, please visit my Home Lighting Consultant blog pages HERE!
A (very) basic guide to ethical specification
Lighting design: it's a client thing
Calculating obtrusive light: whose job is it?
When there's nothing in the catalogue
When is a chandelier not a pendant? When its a lantern!
When clients learn too much . . .
One of our details is missing
Where will light fittings come from?
The end of the light bulb?
Always something new . . . again
Always something new . . .
Combining old and new
On being in the dark . . .
Riffing The Internet of Things
PUBLISHED ARTICLES
John Bullock writes a regular column for lighting magazines. You can find all of the archived pieces here.
BLOGS - LIGHTING DESIGN
John Bullock writes about all things and anything concerning architectural lighting design; new technologies and old lamps; anything,really.
HOME LIGHTING CONSULTANT
John Bullock designs innovative lighting designs for people's homes. By working closely with clients he is able to deliver solutions that meet - and exceed - their expectations.
BLOGS - CPD RIBA CORE PROGRAMME 2015
John Bullock will be presenting a seminar on latest lighting design and technologies as part of the RIBA CPD Core programme 2015
BLOGS - SUSTAINABILITY
John Bullock believes that the UK lighting industry needs to embrace a sustainable way of delivering good quality product through good design, fabrication and end-of-life management.
BLOGS - LIGHTING HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Lighting has a vital role to play in our health and wellbeing.
CONDUIT (6) - Lighting for Winter Gardens
CONDUIT 5: Home Lighting - LED Lighting (2)
FX Magazine: Lighting Focus - Sustainability (Issue 258)
CONDUIT 4: Home Lighting - LED Lighting (1)
Can Smart Lighting Save The Planet?
CONDUIT 3: Home Lighting - The Bathroom
Can Lighting Save Us From Ourselves . . . NO!
CONDUIT 2: Home Lighting - The Dining Room
Read More
John Bullock Lighting Design
4 Miller Way
Sherborne
Dorset
DT9 3SG
England
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