16 | wattnow | may <strong>2012</strong> Taking Up The Design Challenge
<strong>the</strong> growing consensus <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> need for greener, more resource efficient wAys <strong>of</strong> living mAkes this An erA <strong>of</strong> explorAtion. Energy efficiency and eco-friendliness are among <strong>the</strong> main considerations <strong>of</strong> forward-thinking consumers. They’ve become top <strong>of</strong> mind when building, decorating and revamping homes. It’s up to us, <strong>the</strong> people with <strong>the</strong> knowhow, to create solutions that enable <strong>the</strong>m to achieve <strong>the</strong>ir green aspirations. On <strong>the</strong> lighting front, we’ve got a head start. Innovation and advancements in energy efficient, long-lasting lighting technologies have ensured that <strong>the</strong>re is now a low energy alternative for almost every lighting application. There is still a lot <strong>of</strong> terrain to be chartered as we merge good design with <strong>the</strong> energy efficient alternatives available to us. We’ve been given <strong>the</strong> reigns, we just have to take <strong>the</strong>m. A smart mix <strong>of</strong> efficient lighting technologies and a clever approach to lighting design, installation and layout is necessary for practical, aes<strong>the</strong>tic and efficiency requirements to be in sync. Herein lies <strong>the</strong> opportunity to create, innovate and satisfy. tAke it fur<strong>the</strong>r Have you explored <strong>the</strong> terrain <strong>of</strong> energy efficient lighting? Do you have an idea for an energy efficient lighting technology, lamp, system or product? Eskom is inviting designers, innovators, engineers and students to submit <strong>the</strong>ir energy efficient lighting innovations to <strong>the</strong> Eskom Energy Efficient Lighting Design Competition <strong>2012</strong>. The goal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> competition is to show that efficient lighting technologies can be used – and mixed and matched – in contemporary lighting designs and systems for homes. Since 1999, <strong>the</strong> biennial competition has helped mobilise transformation in <strong>the</strong> market, motivating lighting designers, architects and interior designers to use energy efficient lighting in <strong>the</strong>ir portfolios, and inspiring consumers to adopt innovative and green lighting concepts. Participating and being honoured in <strong>the</strong> Eskom Energy Efficient Lighting Design programme is an accolade that entrants can leverage as a launch pad into energy efficient design and development in South Africa’s increasingly eco-conscious residential sector. The competition is supported by Philips, <strong>the</strong> Radiant Group, LED Lighting SA, Voltex, Eurolux, ARB Electrical, OSRAM, <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Energy, <strong>the</strong> eta Awards, 49M, NEEA, NMISA, SESSA, IESSA, Technology Innovation Agency, <strong>the</strong> South African Institute <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Interior Design Pr<strong>of</strong>essionals, Miss Earth, Electricity and Control, Sparks Electrical News, Vector, Lighting in Design and VISI magazine. Full details are available at www.lighting-design.co.za or from Ruth Kolevsohn at ruth@silverroot.co.za wattnow | may <strong>2012</strong> | 17