Pulsar Light of Cambridge Ltd (Pulsar) are proud to be sponsoring the latest Royal Academy of Arts Exhibition Sensing Spaces – a show drawing together specially commissioned work to give a new perspective on architecture through structure, texture, scent, light and colour from some of the most creative architects and practices. Approached by the lead exhibition and lighting designer Shizuka Hariu / SHSH Architecture + Scenography, Pulsar successfully met the technical and visual demands of a high profile lighting installation within the exhibition, and from that success was asked to provide LED lighting for an additional installation as well.
Responding to the design of Grafton Architects, Hariu planned a soft and subtle lighting design that would resemble changing daylight and bring different sensations to the space. Hariu began by looking for an economical and long-lasting lighting solution that would illuminate the installation through the space’s skylights – 15m above the floor of Gallery IX. Because of its efficiency and long-life, LED was the only option but the choice of supplier was limited because any unit had to be weatherproof (at least IP66) for external mounting and reliably last the exhibition without issue, and DMX controlled to allow for the required programming.
Manufacturers were contacted and trialled, and only Pulsar cold provide the right combination of high quality light, smooth dimming, and durability. Pulsar provided on-site lighting trials, and a selection of 3200K Warm White, 4000K Neutral White, and TriColour ChromaFlood fittings were chosen to create the range and breadth of tone found within natural daylight to give the best lighting effects possible.
“Pulsar is one of best companies producing exterior LED lighting,” Hariu noted, “and when I saw the Pulsar website I found the light I needed to have for the Grafton Architects’ Installation in Gallery IX. Nowadays there are not many lighting companies that can produce a 200W LED floodlight that’s also IP66 and DMX programmable. I especially liked the quality of the light from the ChromaFlood 200 in white, they have a pure and beautiful colour resolution which is easy to work with in both the 3200K and 5000K variations.”
A total of 23 fixtures were supplied to Sensing Spaces, comprising 6 ChromaFlood 100 Rounds, 6 ChromaFlood 200s as well as a number of smaller ChromaZone-controlled fixtures, OS1 Outstations, and a Masterpiece 216 lighting desk.
Although working with a rapidly approaching deadline, Pulsar’s high quality products combined with a professional technical team impressed Hariu to the extent that she went on to use additional Pulsar products as decorative elements in the installation by Li Xiaodong. “Within the short time we had, Adrian Worgan followed up my questions really well and Paul Johnson and his team were all very supportive in helping install and manage the programming of my lighting design. I really appreciate all the technical support we were given and look forward to working with Pulsar again!”
The Exhibition runs until the 6th April 2014.