What if we don't need a cable to transport light?

Rendering below shows SmartLight in action. Image courtesy of source site.

 

CINCINNATI, USA. A pair of scientists from the University of Cincinnati are convinced there is enough daylight for every room in every building. Their idea is to get rid of mediums in turning light into energy and the latter into light again. Anton Hafmann and Jason Heikenfield propose to channel light through the grid of electrofluidic cells, and then 'poured' down by demand above a certain area of the room. Each cell is only a few millimeters wide and contains fluid with high optical properties. Minimal electrical stimulation (cells are self-powered by sunlight; embedded phtotvoltaics are located by the windows) turns fluid into lenses shapes, and thus controls the light. According to Heikenfeld, professor of electrical engineering, the whole system 'looks like a piece of glass that all of a sudden switches."

 

Surely, this is the system for the Gulf.

 

Full article can be found on this website.

Air & Lines

URAL AIRLINES OFFICE, Ekaterinburg, Russia

We are happy to present the project of Ural Airlines HQ in Ekaterinburg, Russia - our friend, architect Timur Abdullaev, and his bureau In.Form's creation.

The complex forms of the building are meant to reflect and unite the complexity of versatile functions and structures of the Ural Airlines company, one of the biggest Russian carriers. The interior lighting had also to be aesthetically in line with the concept, highlight the architectural details (i.e. irregular angles and curves), add on volume and be as technologically advanced as the aircraft industry.

That's how the solution was developed - Air & Lines. Massive wall luminaires, protruded on heavy-duty metal arms under the glass dome, and floating round-shaped fixtures helped to accentuate the air. The lines penetrate the whole office area: continuous strips of light following the curves, star-like structures in the lobby, linear vertical light emphasizing the columns.

The project participated in the OfficeNext2010 award and was among the top 3 nominees for the Best Brand and Concept award.

And we are proud to be a part of it :)

photo: courtesy 3D Sfera

It's not all about money

BUSINESS CENTER "NA KUZNECHNOY," Yekaterinburg, Russia. Owners of this loft (it used to be once a movie studio facility) business center are keen on cutting edge interiors and costs. Exposed wiring, brick walls, pebble moldings and cheap pendants made of straw with a E27 integrated fluo. Cheap and easy!