The ceiling of the Terminal 1 Arrivals concourse at Heathrow Airport features a peanut shaped soffit which has over 300 points of light fitted. These are glass 'bullet' lenses illuminated by size 18 Glass Fibre Optic material running back to 18 Fibre Optic Light Sources concealed in the ceiling void. Each light source, supplied by PLM, contains a 150 watt Metal Halide lamp and control gear with fan cooling. The Glass Fibre is sheathed in black Megolon and the Bullet Lenses are snap fit devices which clip into the ceiling tiles in a similar way to Low Voltage light fittings.

Elsewhere in Terminal 1 similar Fibre Optic equipment is being used as stair and escalator illumination, and task lighting over ticketing desks. Fibre optic lighting is particularly suited to areas where the light fittings might be difficult to reach once installed, but where the light source containing the lamp can be placed within easy reach for maintenance personnel. The fibre optic lights over the stairs and escalators, for example, would be impossible to reach without scaffolding. The light sources however have been placed to one side in a ceiling void within easy reach of one man and a short ladder. The points of light in this ceiling also demonstrate another advantage of fibre optic lighting where many points of light are all run from a single lamp. (In this case around 18 points per Light Source).

Finally, it is a simple thing to introduce colour filters and other effects into the fibre optic light sources where colour change, movement, twinkling, or shimmering are desired.

information: www.plmgroup.co.uk

Flux Eclairage has been involved in a lighting installation by internationally renowned artist Daniel Buren at Serignan in the south of France. Called 'Rayonnant', the installation (situated outside a theatre) features colour changing columns made possible with Flux fibre optic lighting. Fibre optics placed at the bottom and inside each column gives each one a glow due to their metal mesh construction. Flux PMMA fibre optics, with a Megalon jacket, have been used for the installation together with Charmet anodised aluminium spotlights because of their small size and waterproof IP67 rating. Different glass lenses have been used, from 10 to 60 degrees. All light illuminators are located outside in concrete benches. Each illuminator is connected to a varying amount of columns depending on the number of spotlights and the lamps are 150W.

information: www.flux.fr

Unique colour changing fibre-optics, supplied by the Light Projects Group, are being used to stunning effect at St. Anne's Garden in London. Manufactured by Roblon, the Danish fibre-optic company, this specially-designed lighting creates privacy for the residents. This is achieved by projecting lighting onto the thin metals strips which comprise the perimeter fence and reflect back to create a visual barrier of light. Light Projects gave a design solution to achieve the visual effect required by architect Steve Johnson and lighting consultants Shaw Associates. DMX control enabled the fibre light to feature six colours in various configurations and patterns giving a striking colour display.

Fibre optics gave an excellent solution for multi-point, minimal maintenance and vandal resistant lighting. All 256 powerful light points are powered by just 8 IP44 rated DMX light generators. The 150W Metal Halide lamps have a rated lamp life of 6,000 hours.

information: www.lightprojects.co.uk

The parent company of Crescent Lighting, Fiberstars Inc., has recently supplied the revolutionary EFO (Efficient Fibre Optic) system to a store in the Whole Foods Market chain in Colorado Springs.

One of the areas lit was the fish counter where the usual method would have been to use 50w MR16 down or spot lights, limiting the number so as not to raise the temperature on the display.

In this case five EFO (efficient Fibre Optic) systems were used, each with eight MBF (Multi Beam Focus) downlights. This saves around 70% in energy costs over the original solution and increases the illuminance levels from approximately 1300 to 1700 lux without adding any heat or UV to the area.

The EFO system is also installed in the bakery display and gourmet deli sections of the store, seventeen systems in total. Whole Foods are extremely pleased with the results in the store and plans are being drawn up to use this innovative system at a new store in Fort Collins, and to refit stores in New Orleans and Dallas.

The use of the product is likely to be extended to light the Deli cheese, Deli meat and fresh flower areas.

information: www.crescent.co.uk

Bruce Munro is currently exhibiting at the V&A as part of the Brilliant exhibition. His installation, Brilliant in the Garden, takes on the illumination of the museum gardens. Modelled on his vision to create a 'Field of Light', Munro's installation at the V&A captures the changing effects of light in the natural environment. Thousands of spherical diffusers clustered around the trees have been arranged to follow the drift and contours of the courtyard garden.

Munro directs light through the stem which is attached to an iridescent ping-pong ball diffuser where the fibre optic beams, supplied by Advanced Fiber Optics, are harnessed. Using projectors, Munro changes the colour and tone intensity of light which radiates from each orb. The installation gently illuminates the gardens with a warm colourful glow that shimmers and ripples in cool blue tones and vibrant reds and oranges. Materials used are 150W metal halide light sources with 1mm bare fiber inserted in plastic tubes with plastic spheres on top transmitting the light. >>> >>>

information:
www.advancedfiberoptics.net
www.brucemunro.co.uk