light + building

First impressions

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Author: Dipl. Designer Nora Schmidt Switzerland E-mail

DMY International Design Festival Berlin From May 21 - 25, under the title ‘The Sky Is Not The Limit’, protagonists of the national and international design scenes take the stage.

Andreu World Design Competition The challenge is to design a seat or table in which innovative design/styling contributions are made. More informations here

This year's light + building successfully defended its position as the top trade fair in the lamps and lighting systems sector. In spite of the many international manufacturers who displayed their products and the large masses of visitors, the organisers succeeded in keeping the exhibition manageable and well structured. In addition to the stands of well-known established manufacturers, it was in particular the work of a number of smaller young suppliers who were presenting their products for the first time which caught the eye.

Swan T by Josep Sancho for DAB

As always, the Zumtobel stand was a major highlight. Under the theme of "Humanergy Balance" individual, energy-efficient lighting concepts for a wide range of applications were presented at a stand measuring 638 square metres. The result of a cooperation with Matteo Thun was Sconfine, a lamp series based on the basic forms of sphere, cube and line (illustration).

Sconfine by Matteo Thun for Zumtobel to the Zumtobel collection

The light bulb manufacturer Osram presented its latest developments, which look towards an energy-efficient future. Osram's prototype made of OLEDs – organic light emitting diodes which are at present mainly used in screens and displays and can be produced much more cheaply than normal LEDs – presents an new development which, however, will still require a few years' work.

OLED prototype by Osram

OLED - tablelamp by Ingo Maurer

Ingo Maurer, who created two designs on behalf of Osram, also makes use of the evenly distributed illumination which is provided by OLEDs. The designer found inspiration in the solar panels which are found on satellites. However, instead of catching the light the OLED surfaces of this table lamp, which are 132 x 32 mm in size, radiate light evenly. The minimal design – the OLEDs have no housing – gives the lamp a filigree and high-tech appearance.

OLED - pendant light by Ingo Maurer

The Slovenian manufacturer Vertigo Bird is a real new discovery, and much more will probably be seen of this company's products in future.

Pendant light, Verpan and floor lamp, Vertigo Bird to the Verpan collection

A number of Spanish manufacturers, too, presented some remarkable designs.

Floor lamps, by the spanish manufacturer Metalarte

Floor lamp, by Metalarte to the Metalarte collection

Pendant light, by Lujan+Sicilia

Recessed ceiling light by Xenon Architectural Lighting (prototype)

On the occasion of the Luminale the Italian lighting manufacturer Foscarini presented the Tropico series by Giulio Iacchetti at the Museum for Applied Art.