illumni asks the world’s top lighting manufacturers some behind-the-scenes questions about their presence at Frankfurt in 2016. ERCO’s Oceania Chief, Nathan Wilson-Rynell replies:
Tell us about your stand concept…..
light digital communicated with one’s and zero’s, black and white is the concept behind the 2016 ERCO booth – how can inspiration and technology complement each other? ERCO’s characteristic open and minimalistic style remains with two vertical elements separated by a large central bar, an overall efficiency of only 4.8W/m2 and a unique level of visual comfort for what is effectively a flagship retail environment. The white elements showcase technology from our 2016 Innovations, culminating in a real-life version of our new Light Finder App. The black elements explore the possibilities of this technology inspired by our four key market clusters of Work, Shop, Community and Culture. These black elements extend into an informal meeting area surrounded by a large cinemascape, utilising a new pixel mapping technology, of inspirational projects from our market clusters. Finally, we created a ‘chocolate statistic’ with the #ERCOtrendwall to see just what clusters are most interesting for visitors at Light+Building 2016 – where is the market going and where should we be focusing our efforts?
Let’s cut to the chase – what is new for you this year? Give us a run down on your top five new and exciting products…..
Quintessence 2.0, updated with a full range of downlights, wallwashers and directionals now only for LED and with innovative new lens technology – including a unique bat-wing style downlight and ‘gallery standard’ vertical illumination from smaller apertures and increased spacings, both indoor and outdoors.
New flicker free driver technology for trailing edge and DALI, now included on all ERCO recessed luminaires for optimum filming performance in any environment.
Lucy task-light, digitally remastered as the purest example of light digital – minimal form and precision optics for the modern workplace.
Castor, our new bollard family incorporating a revolutionary lens system with ‘light guide’ technology for vertical illumination from a horizontal light aperture.
Kona, our most powerful example of light digital for the outdoors. A modern take on a classic projector form, incorporating our well-known Spherolit lens system with; Narrow Spot, Spot, Flood, Wide flood, Oval flood & Wallwash and high lumen output.
And when will these products be available?
All available now!
Which single product are you most excited about and why?
Very difficult but I would say Lucy, because it embodies the essence of light digital in a package for everyone. It also exemplifies the freedom of design with projected light and the resulting precision that was previously only a dream.
Can you give us a couple of recent examples of lighting designs that best demonstrate the use of your products?
Kona, Sydney Opera House Forecourt by NDYLight – incredible power, precision and flexibility that will redefine the possibilities of that space. The ability of Kona to deliver light over long distances with minimal glare is a hallmark of ERCO’s light digital approach.
Optec, COS Flagship Store Sydney by Aecom – simplicity in a complex space with incredible efficiency. The Spherolit lens system provides visual merchandisers with immense flexibility; Narrow Spot to Wide flood, Oval flood and Wallwash – whatever the task there is an option without sacrificing the brand identity.
What major challenges do you feel you face as a lighting manufacturer in 2016?
Probably communication. Of course budget and project cycle are always there, but luminaire cost is not the only consideration – solution cost and return on investment for lighting in general remains the key point for investors. Technological change and brand perception can be almost divergent, incredible effort is required to ensure they are developed in parallel.
What does the future hold for your business?
Generally, the outlook is very positive. We have made it through the ‘Kodak moment’ at ERCO and the stream of innovation from the new digital Light Factory is constant for the foreseeable future. Light remains the fourth dimension of architecture – now it’s just digital!
http://www.erco.com