Unlike conventional light sources, LEDs can also be used to build light into the surfaces themselves. They can respond to peoples' touch, activity or nearness, and are changing the way people perceive, occupy and enjoy spaces and buildings. In the last few years, Philips Lighting has been exploring the possibilities with different embedded lighting systems. These are now broadly available, opening fresh approaches to creating dynamic, eye-catching designs.
The dynamic, interactive lighting that has so far largely been limited to the occasional Modernist art installation is now going mainstream. It's beginning to transform hotels, shops, hospitals, airports, conference centers – anywhere people come together.
What modalities of interaction will actually enrich an architectural space or even our everyday spaces? Interactive lighting delivers:
· function: The correct type of light, at the correct place, at the correct moment in time.
· delight: Enriching human interactions and creating memorable moments
· content: Architecture can act as a portal to the digital world, providing either ambient or detailed layers of information.
Architects and interior designers have long tried to break free from the constraints of traditional light fixtures, wanting to use light to add a visual richness to architectural surfaces. To help, Philips Lighting has developed flexible and customizable products and systems that accommodate an enormous range of creative styles, along with proprietary technologies to speed design, visualization and fabrication.
There's a variety of offerings covering everything up to a completely immersive experience with lights embedded into:
walls ...
Philips Luminous textile integrates multi-colored LEDs seamlessly within fabric panels that also soften sound. The fabrics have a choice of rich colors to enhance a space, even when the dynamic content has been switched off.
... ceilings
OneSpace luminous ceiling panels give uniform, daylight-like light with a modern minimalist appearance. Hidden LEDs spread light evenly through the panel surface, so that the ceiling itself becomes the light.
... even floors
Philips Lighting also co-operated with major carpet manufacturer Desso (in the US represented by Tandus Centiva) to produce Luminous Carpets. The lights are built into luxurious and hard-wearing carpets and are easily controlled by tablet and smartphone. Words and dynamic graphics can direct visitors to welcome desks, meeting rooms, toilets and exits. And during an emergency, the lights can quickly lead people to escape routes.
Further, with worldwide home flooring leader Tarkett, Philips Lighting has developed Luminous flooring. Mainly for retail and hospitality, the vinyl flooring embeds connected LEDs to enable luminous messages, animations and advertisements on a vinyl floor. It gives retailers another opportunity to interact with customers and guide them through a store or building.
The Philips Lighting goal in all this is to help designers visualize, specify and install customized embedded lighting. Using high quality, proven technology, Philips Lighting’s product propositions leave designers free to concentrate on creating unique experiences and a distinctive look that matches the exact needs of their projects’ internal architectural spaces.
Product Marketing Manager, Telecaster Venture
