As design professionals increasingly strive to create environments for health and well-being, an emerging discipline aimed at supporting recovery from trauma is drawing increased attention. Referred to broadly as trauma informed design (TID), this novel framework for creating spaces that foster recovery and healing, indoors and out, focuses on incorporating architectural and landscape elements with…

From the early 20th century to today, from an annex between the Archbishop’s Palace and the Cathedral to housing for Mexican troops, from collapse and disrepair to an inviting pedestrian walkway, the historic Pasaje de la Revolución in Merida, Mexico, currently serves as an exhibition space for sculptural artwork by national and international artists. Featuring…

Rekindling Philadelphia’s Historic Boathouse Row In the late 19th century, the 12 historic houses of Boathouse Row, along the Schuylkill River, were constructed thanks to the private investments by individual rowers, many of whom were factory workers from the neighboring breweries and textile mills of East Falls in Philadelphia. For more than 150 years, the…

One of Structura’s focuses while designing exterior products is to create a juxtaposition of wood and metal design aesthetics. Adding the wood components brings a natural warmth to the product and installation while providing another element that the customer and architect can customize to make their own. When we show the products to people, most…

The IES Illumination Awards provide a unique opportunity for public recognition of professionalism, ingenuity and originality in lighting design based upon the individual merit of each entry judged against specific criteria. This program is not a competition. The Illumination Award for Interior Lighting Design sponsored by Edwin F. Guth, the Illumination Award for Outdoor Lighting…

Lighting has played a crucial role in human civilization since ancient times, shaping our environments, enhancing safety and influencing cultural practices. From the earliest use of fire to the development of sophisticated lighting controls, the history of lighting reflects humanity’s ingenuity and quest for illumination. Part I of this column explores the evolution of lighting…

The 211 Tower in Pittsburgh's East Liberty neighborhood recently underwent a significant transformation, primarily driven by a strategic façade lighting installation. The building, originally constructed in the Brutalist style in the late 1960s, was facing an "image problem" that the new owners sought to rectify. This challenge was met with the innovative application of SGM's…

Lobster eyes. Cuttlefish skin. Butterfly wings. Peacock feathers. Brittlestar armor. Clusterwink snail shells. These marvels of nature represent a vast intelligence that we’ve looked to for inspiration in engineering and design. Nature is teeming with algorithms waiting to be deciphered, categorized and applied. According to architect Michael Pawlyn, “There is extensive work under way to…

To create a tranquil space that captures elements of classical architecture and the surrealist art movement, The Lighting Practice made use of unique tools such as wet-listed light fixtures and pool-submersible luminaires to wash the The Aqua Foro Pool Club in Philadelphia in soft, alluring illumination.     1. Vertical illumination in and around pool…

Research and Markets has published the 18th edition of its United States Lighting Fixtures Market report for 2024. The seven-chapter report states that while the market slowed to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2024, estimates show market expansion is expected for the next two calendar years due to an expected increase in construction of non-residential projects. The…

At IES2024: The Lighting Conference held in New York City in August, the DOE’s Integrated Lighting Campaign (ILC)—part of the Better Buildings Initiative—recognized 16 organizations for their commitment to energy-efficient and environmentally responsible work in buildings and outside spaces as well as two additional organizations for exhibiting exemplary support for this work. Designed to demonstrate…

The Lighting Industry Association (LIA) of Europe and its Committee For Emergency Lighting (ICEL) division, which is dedicated to strengthening the emergency lighting industry via promotion of high-quality products, have enhanced the ICEL Product Certification Scheme from an endorsed model to a certified model. The goal of the new scheme is to offer greater assurance…

Perspectives about diversity have certainly evolved over the decades. When people ask me about my thoughts on diversity, I often need to pause and reflect on various stages of history. The interesting thing is that definitions of diversity have morphed over time based on society’s mores. My background has influenced my perspectives about diversity. I…

Zhaga-D4i offers a potential transformational change in the lighting world The Zhaga Consortium, with over 600 member companies, develops specifications for standardized interfaces between luminaires and LED modules, intelligent sensors, communication modules and LED drivers. Together with the DALI Alliance, digital products certified to the Zhaga-D4i specifications by multiple vendors provide a platform supporting the…

Plant life is the standout feature at an urban commercial complex Nestled in the core of Singapore’s Central Business District, a bustling location marked with skyscrapers, transit hubs and densely populated commercial and residential areas, is CapitaSpring—a high-rise that takes the concepts of workplace greenery and house plants to a whole new level. The $1.3…