Although incandescent lights are being phased out across the EU and energy efficient lighting solutions will be introduced, the lighting industry has been relatively slow to promote innovative and well designed low energy lighting solutions. The Monument presented a unique challenge as the structure predates electric lighting. The old scheme was typically unsympathetic, utilising large and unsightly bulkhead fittings.

The designers set out to create a new solution with minimal visual intrusion. Special linear LED sources were designed to the same dimension and profile as the iron stair balustrade spindles. Finished in the same colour and fixed by metal straps, the new lighting is barely noticeable to visitors.  

The original finish of the walls – a limed wash – was reinstated. The limed wash gives excellent reflectance and supports the indirect lighting solutions which were installed. The lighting designers had to strike a balance between providing the right mood inside this historic structure and safety requirements and decided to keep the illumination levels at approximately 50 lux average. The emergency lighting is a central battery system which feeds 25% of the standard LED balustrade sources.   

The big advantages of the new lighting solution are its low energy use (1.3kWh), longevity and minimum maintenance.

Over 100.000 visitors climb the 311 spiral steps every year to the Monument’s observation gallery to enjoy the unique and exhilarating views across London. On the way up and down they can now also admire a forward thinking energy efficient lighting solution.

The lighting solution was developed by Light Bureau. For more details on the project and the project partners, please visit their website www.lightbureau.com .

© thequietriot.com 2010

In the United Kingdom, walking has declined by 1% (from 322 km to 317 km per person per year) and cycling by 16% (from 69 km to 58 km per person per year) between 2002 and 2005, although cycling in London has been on a steady increase. Overall European citizens make, on average, 500 trips per year that are shorter than 5 km. The majority of these trips are done by car. Walking could be a realistic alternative for many of these trips.

Getting around cities can be very confusing. 109 journeys between neighbouring central London Underground stations are actually quicker on foot than the Tube. Street signs for pedestrians are hard to read, confusing or non-existent. 

Over the past years the designers at Applied Information Group (AIG) have been working onWalking Cities projects. The team has been designing multi-media systems for cities, which combine on-street signs, paper and digital mapping. The main purpose of the projects is to engage people with the city, make walking easy and reduce dependence on the car and public transport.   

The mapping designed by AIG takes an entirely pedestrian-centric approach. It incorporates graphics of recognisable landmarks and well known retail outlets. It also includes colour coding to indicate direct routes on foot. Custom designed digital mapping is accessible on the Internet – now also accessible on many mobile devices.

AIG have been working on wayfinding systems for Brighton & Hove and Legible London, which includes the three pilot areas Richmond and Twickenham, the South Bank and Bankside as well as Bloomsbury, Covent Garden and Holborn. The first prototype was tested in the West End. Londoners and visitors love the scheme and 85% find it easy to use.

Start the year 2010 walking – it is good for you and the environment.

www.legiblelondon.info

www.visitbrighton.com

www.appliedinformationgroup.com

Textile structures have enormous potential in lightweight construction because of their low weight. Whilst the commercial aviation industry has recently started to use fibre-reinforced plastics, coated fabrics and laminates are finding more and more smart applications in paragliders, kites and hot air balloons.

The Berlin based company aeroix focuses on the development of  innovative products in the field of applied aeronautical sciences and technical textiles. The inter-disciplinary team recently developed and successfully introduced an insulation  system  for hot air balloons called Aerofabrix. The material is a lightweight multilayer fabric and it has the lowest density currently available on the global market.

An air gap within the fabric is required to achieve the insulation properties. Flocked filaments create this air gap whilst being super light. Through this integrated flocked insulation material fuel consumption for ballooning can be reduced by more than 50% or alternatively, larger passengers groups can be transported.

The aeroíx team is currently experimenting with applications in architecture. Other applications could be in the field of protective clothing or outdoor equipment for extreme conditions. The material could also be used in light building structures. aeroix is also working with another Berlin based company called Zendome on lightweight, well insulated and mobile structures,building on Buckminster Fuller’s early groundbreaking structures..

Text by Dr. Sascha Peters, CEO haute innovation – translation by M.HAUS, © all rights reserved

Take your time and explore the two websites – www.aeroix.de and www.zendome.com .

Sustainable, slow, low impact or Eco tourism is still marginal, but over the last years some new trends and destinations have been emerging. The Vigilius Mountain Resort in Lana, South Tyrol is one of them.

The resort is located at 1,500 metres and can only be reached by cable car or on foot. The property has the shape of a fallen tree and the philosophy of the enterprise is based on a genuine and deep-felt respect for the environment and the surrounding nature.

This philosophy is realized in all areas – from the nature-based construction methods to the sustainable use of local resources. The resort builds on old local traditions, but also integrates the latest technologies. Everything revolves around the local landscape and nature.

The principle of organic architecture not only manifests itself in the shape of the buildings, but also in the use of green grass covered roofs and the use of locally grown larch wood throughout. A large part of the property is timber structure. The shell of the building is highly insulated to avoid heat loss especially in the cold winter months.

Wood is also key for the biomass heating system, which is not only clean burning but also gives local farmers a second income and ensures that the forests are managed and cultivated. Water comes from a local spring and is carefully managed in the bathrooms and spa areas.       

Architect Matteo Thun created this luxury mountain hideaway where awareness co-exists with aesthetics, and everything revolves around nature and landscape. The hotel was opened in 2003 and has received a large number of design as well as environmental awards.

However, remember, the biggest environmental impact of tourism is transport. Tourism is one of the main drivers of increased demand for transport, particularly the most environmentally damaging modes: private cars and, more critically, air transport. In Europe, in 2005, about 59 % of the tourists reached their destination by road and 34 % by air. Air traffic is expected to double over the next 20 years.

Next time you book a hotel, ask what their CO2 emissions per m² are – 50kg/m² or less would be a good benchmark. Energy efficient hotels are the new design hotels!

www.designhotels.com/vigilius

M.HAUS © 2009