LiGHT 25 – the London lighting fair, took place on November 19 and 20. Hundreds of international decorative and architectural lighting brands were there – also A.A.G. Stucchi-EUTRAC, which showcased some of its production highlights and hosted the editorial staff of Atmosfera, on the hunt for new products and trends – in an exhibition format that prioritizes meeting and networking, but also keeping up to date with the latest industry trends through presentations and lectures by professionals in the [d]arc thoughts talks program. in an exhibition format that prioritizes the opportunity to meet and network, but also to catch up on the latest trends in the sector through presentations and lectures by professionals in the [d]arc thoughts talks program.
Helen Ankers, Managing Editor of [d]arc media and curator of the cultural panel, said: «It is a common mistake to think that trade fairs dedicated to lighting are reserved only for industry specialists. By bringing together architects, interior designers, and other professionals from the community, along with innovative brands and suppliers, LiGHT 25 is the perfect opportunity to make new contacts, explore business opportunities, and seek inspiration, whatever your role in a project».
Without a doubt, the most interesting new feature of LiGHT 25 is the introduction of the technical zone, an exhibition section focusing on technical areas such as urban and commercial lighting, control systems, components/OEMs, lamps, equipment, and emergency lighting. These are extremely important product and project segments, but ones that are not given center stage at other events.
The best of LiGHT 25 (in our opinion)
With a keen eye on research and the latest trends in lighting technology, we went around the stands looking for new products with a special character. To describe what we saw, we decided to focus on the “best of” three categories that best reflect the latest trends.
The latest offerings from Slovenian company LED Luks combine form and function with a strong focus on environmental sustainability, such as the decorative Flora pendant lamp made from 40% recycled wood and 60% PLA filament, a bioplastic derived from renewable resources such as corn starch, sugar cane, or beetroot. Or Noox, a versatile fixture designed to integrate with existing lighting profiles or to be mounted independently on a track.
Clou from Veneto-based company esse-ci is particularly interesting. It is an outdoor product that echoes the aesthetics and functionality of tracks generally used for interiors. Available in bollard, wall, or ceiling versions, Clou’s structure consists of an extruded petal-shaped profile with three grooves, inside which silicone strips can be placed. Combined with spotlights, these strips allow for surprising plays of light.
Finally, we were impressed by the concept and exhibition design, as well as the product, of the stand of F.L.I. Formula Luci Italia, a Brescia-based company that manufactures lighting components and technical elements, specializing in the integration of light into furnishings for projects related to luxury retail and high-end hospitality. To showcase the technology applied to its new FRS 99 product, a miniaturized LED bar equipped with a co-extruded screen that recovers the flow, bringing its efficiency to nearly 80%, F.L.I. created a veritable laboratory. The LAB, which stands for Light Around Balance, was a “working” set where it was possible to show in real time how applying the new solution (patented in 2020) can drastically reduce consumption. The space, designed by Studio B612 and inspired by the set design of Space Odyssey, used fascinating vintage analog equipment to demonstrate the efficiency of the technology applied to an 8 mm strip, providing real-time data on emissions and consumption compared to an older generation product.