An unforgettable lighting workshop in Alingsås, Sweden, beckons for the winner of the 2011 Haute Lumiere lighting design competition.
Presented by Paul Pamboukian Lighting Design, in association with VISI magazine, the Haute Lumière Light Award reflects the need to explore and stimulate debate on light as a design medium.
Fashioned and designed environments require imaginative light solutions, which convey meaning, mood, atmosphere and visual appeal.
The purpose of the award is to rethink the application of artificial light as a crucial, primary aspect of design and as an inventive medium that extends beyond the functional requirements of illumination. A different theme or subject is explored each year.
Both professionals and students were invited to let their thoughts go on the subject of lighting.
This was more than just an invitation to design a lamp, though. Projects were sought that:
– go beyond the mere fact that light exists
– experiment with the unknown, push the edge and seek essence
– work with perception and deception
– show an understanding of light as a medium and how light occupies space
– celebrate and promote excellence in the understanding and application of artificial light
– are not about a light fitting alone, but light as a medium
The award is sponsored by Pamboukian Associates, ELDC (European Light and Design Centre), Regent Lighting, Regent Designs, SA Fashion Week and VISI Magazine.
The brief
Design a luminaire based on the game ching-chong-cha (rock-paper-scissors), which could suggest: material-medium-tool. Juxtapose these three components to create an unpredictable but logical synergy through chance, randomness or chaos.
Does light trump shadow or shadow light, the material source or source material?
Investigate metaphors and discover the beauty of light. Design an innovative self-supporting luminaire that makes a strong statement through identity, visual quality and presence.
Recommended reading
How to Design a Light, Octopus Publishing, London ISBN: 978 1 84091 547 1
Evaluation
Entries were evaluated on the basis of the exploration of light as a medium, not the refinement of a complete design.
The following panel of judges evaluated both stages one (the selection of five designs to be taken forward and constructed as prototypes) and stage two (selection of a winner):
Annemarie Meintjies–Associate Editor VISI Magazine, Lucilla Booyzen–SA Fashion Week, Lisebo Mokhesi–Ink Interiors, Marc Machtelinckx–ELDC, Neo Neophytou–DSGN Interior Design, Paul Pamboukian–Pamboukian Associates, Randal Wahl–Regent Lighting, Robert Alexander–Regent Designs, Silvio Rech–Silvio Rech Lesley Carstens Architects
Rewards
The winner will be given the opportunity to attend the PLDA (Professional Lighting Designers Association – www.pld-a.org) Lights in Alingsås Workshop (www.alingsas.se), Sweden: 19 – 24 September 2011.
The workshop is educational and the participant will work with the qualities of light and realise an urban lighting project with state-of-the-art equipment. The workshop is run by leading European lighting designers.
The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. The prototypes will be displayed at SA Fashion Week in September/October 2011. VISI Magazine will publish the results and the prototypes will be exhibited at ELDC, Cape Town.
Find us on: lightisourmedium.blogspot.com for info and discussion, blogs and links, or call Anthony Tischhauser on 011 880 2831.
