"lights"

Transforming this tired old 1930s terraced house in London. The result is a stunning light-filled home with more than fifty percent more floor space. The design called for a complete modernisation of the home and the addition of a ground floor extension featuring a two-panel GS20 ultra-slim sliding door system.

Industrial Sensor Specialist Longvale Ltd located at Lancaster Park in Burton Upon Trent, have selected Schlüter-LIPROTEC illuminated profile technology in conjunction with Schlüter-TREP stair nosing profiles to give their feature staircase a unique lighting design with a modern, slip resistant finish, within the entrance to their brand new facility.

Previously renovated in 2005, Marina Palamós is undergoing a profound and ambitious transformation, aimed at considerably enriching the port’s coastal heritage and the quality of its landscape. A project that is designed to improve livability, with spaces that are more shaded, comfortable and wrapped in green. Urbidermis is diving into the project, providing a holistic perspective that addresses lighting, furniture, microarchitecture and vegetation.

We visited David and his family in Essex, UK, who recently completed a rear kitchen and dining extension that began in June 2021 and was completed in October.   One of their main goals was to include natural light and ventilation in the design by using opening rooflights.  Tell us more about your home and why you decided to renovate. The family fell in love with the house because at the time they thought it had all of the space they needed.  'It was really obvious when we first moved into the house that we didn't have a joint space where all of us could be together, cooking and eating, playing or watching TV. That's when we said; 'okay, we need to do this project.' Before the family completed the renovation, a lot of their time was spent in individual rooms. Therefore, they made a decision to create a joined-together family space, they felt essential for creating memories and bonding with one another.  'We wanted to make sure we had a rooflight over the kitchen to create light in that space and make sure we had enough light to the existing part of the house.'  Adding a rooflight to your kitchen can be a great way to bring in more natural light and improve the overall ambiance of your home. Positioning and size of the rooflight, are important for including light in harder-to-reach areas, such as an existing part of your home. Make sure to take the necessary precautions and consider all the factors involved in such a project. Check out our top tips on what to consider when renovating or extending.  How important was the option of having bespoke rooflight design for you? 'The importance of bespoke design was really around size, and what size we needed for the space. When we first started looking around for skylights, they were often a lot smaller than we needed. What we found with Vario by VELUX is essentially, they took that problem away.' We had options, we could have chosen different colours, and different styles of glass, but we were able to choose something that matched the rest of the living space, as well as being functional.' 'The reason we went for two rectangular rooflights was really to fit in with the design of the rest of the extension. What I like about the VELUX Windows is that internally we really do just see that flat glass at the top and it finishes it off really nicely.' It's great that you had the option to choose different colours and styles of glass for your rooflights. By matching the rooflights with the rest of your living space, you have created a cohesive and harmonious design that enhances your home’s overall look and feel.   Why opening rooflights? 'The coolest thing about these rooflights is that they can open.' 'We decided to invest in large windows, one of the things we wanted to do is get the most out of them. Having the automatic opening, meant that we can open and close the windows to keep the air quality.' VELUX Active can add a modern touch to your home and can increase its energy efficiency by reducing the need for air conditioning or heating. We are glad to hear that the decision was made to optimise your indoor climate and invest in Vario by VELUX rooflights.  'One of my favourite moments to do with the rooflights, was when we first brought the children into the property, my son pointed out the rooflights and when we opened them, he was astounded!' 'Traditionally, this back part of the house was quite dark. So by coming out with an extension and having the rooflights put in above, it means we get more natural light earlier – quite often from very early in the morning.' The rectangular rooflights you chose to install sound like they fit perfectly with the design of the extension and provide a modern and clean look whilst making your space the place where family comes together. Natural light and ventilation is not only essential for our physical health, but also our emotional well-being. By having more natural light earlier in the morning, you can start your day in a better mood and with positive energy. How do you use your new extension now? 'I would say actually we spend 80 to 90% of our time now just in this room. The joy for us is sitting together and eating, whether that's at the breakfast bar or the dining table, having the kids playing along the side of the kitchen. We are delighted with the end result.' 'We are now seeing the benefits of what this means to us as a family and the wider family. Being able to host and have parties and social gatherings.’ 'Everything happens in this space now.' It's wonderful to hear that your home renovation project has transformed your living space and has made it a central gathering place for your family and friends. Hosting social gatherings and spending time with loved ones is an important aspect of life and it's great that your home now provides a comfortable and welcoming environment for those special moments. It's always a great feeling when a home renovation project meets or exceeds expectations, and it sounds like that is exactly what has happened in this case. Congratulations on your beautiful new space and we wish you very happy memories there! 

Demolition of an existing 1960’s student accommodation block and its replacement with a new building comprising 84 en-suite student bedrooms.InterLace designed, manufactured and installed blackout and sheer curtains throughout all student rooms. Curtains were the perfect solution, maximising natural light during the day, and maximising privacy during the night.

Vtec's MaxiBeam System was specified in this premium residential development in Edinburgh. We worked closely with the designers to create a MaxiBeam system in a beautiful oak veneer that created impact in the staggered beam design. The light colour works well with the dark walls. Our Technical team took care of all the details to make this a breeze for first-time installers.

Perfect for office spaces, our MG600 glass office partitions and movable glass walls offer several benefits to your workspace and your employees.The advantages of glass acoustic walls include excellent light flow in offices, low-cost installation, flexibility in the work environment, and the simple fact that they look classy and classy. Not only that, but they also provide excellent sound insulation, enabling privacy between clients or important internal meetings.These flush glazed movable acoustic wall panels are constructed from an aluminum frame with flush tempered glass panels mounted on either side of the panel for a flush glass look. They work especially well in office spaces, impressing everyone who sees them, be it stakeholders, important clients or business partners.Additionally, you can choose to tint the aluminum frame according to your own design or branding needs. These panels maintain the spaciousness of the room's proportions while maximizing light and clear sightlines. Really great office aesthetic.

Using materials, shades and textures that work in harmony with rural surroundings is always an important consideration for designers and planners. In Hertfordshire an ancient barn has recently been converted to provide additional accommodation for the nearby house.The new roof of the C16th barn was constructed with Cadisch Welltec perforated profiled aluminium panels over a waterproof membrane. Visible roof lights on such an ancient barn were not permitted but some light is able to penetrate through unobtrusive roof lights which are entirely covered by the perforated Welltec. The outline of the windows can just be made out in the photograph.The corrugated effect of the Welltec already lent a rustic charm to the roof and the owners needed a coating for the aluminium that would both protect the roof and also give the appearance of an old building.Taking inspiration from natural elements, EvolutionTM powder coatings allow architects and designers to achieve the look they need, together with using the most appropriate materials for the job and satisfying planning requirements on a local level.  The panels and ridge cappings totalling over 200 square metres, were pre-treated in a chrome-free system and powder coated in EvolutionTM ‘Peat fire’ at Powdertech’s Corby plant, before being delivered to site for installation. Peat fire is an earthy shade, instantly giving an aged look to the roof. It is a shade that one might expect on a weathered ‘tin roof’ – but in this case the metal stands the Evolution™ system.”  BenefitsA wide range of effects to reflect the patinas that occur naturally on metalsExcellent visual and tactile detailHigh performance weather resistanceGood edge coverageAll powders are Qualicoat 1Leaves no residue or stainTwenty-five year guarantee.

To develop a new state-of-the-art Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) at Northampton General Hospital. Axis had a key role, devising a solution capable of providing flexible space with options of a light and open environment for better communication between staff to manage problems with patients more effectively, but also with the option to isolate spaces for patient privacy, when required

This Cycle Hub at Horsham Station is the third Hub that Cyclepods have installed for Southern Rail as part of their Cycle Provision Scheme. The Hub has 130 bike spaces using the Easylift+ two-tier storage system and is fully equipped with CCTV, Bike Pump & Repair Stand, Motion Sensor Lighting and Secure Access Control System and push release exit.

Precautions required to prevent falls from height can be costly and disruptive to operations. Where a ladder is not appropriate, scaffold towers, scissor lifts, and warehouse cherry pickers, are commonly used to safely perform cleaning and maintenance at height. Lighting for instance, is essential to every business and is one of the most frequently accessed suspended assets, using powered access equipment.

Rutherford House is an imposing 58,000 sq ft office building located within the heart of Birchwood Park, Warrington, providing superior office space to rent for small, medium and large businesses employing up to 100 people. Consisting of two wings of three and five floors, the building has excellent natural lighting and is conveniently located for travel across the region. 

One of the world’s finest examples of architectural design and engineering innovation, WestKowloonStation sets a new benchmark for railway transportation. Collaborating with JV architects Aedas and AECOM and JV contractors Leighton Asia & Gammon Construction Limited, SAS designed, manufactured and installed products including bespoke straight and curved baffles, atrium panels and bulkheads, lighting trough and ceiling panels.

Working with specialist London practice Threefold Architects, Helo was invited to submit a proposal for a wellness suite as part of a complete refurbishment of a mews house in London’s fashionable Chelsea. The design brief was for sauna and steam room to coordinate in dark and light shade. The dark slate tile for the steam room was carefully matched in size and design with the smooth blond aspen panel for the sauna.

When Get Active Kincorth required a world class indoor flooring finish for their facility, our Olympic pedigree Taraflex® sports flooring would be the natural choice for this iconic refurbishment!Over 600m2 in Light Cherry would be the specified in a Taraflex® Combi Elastic system, that was finished with a Taraflex® Evolution point elastic flooring… the complete package!

The designated area that would need to be re-designed and converted was a former squash court. Gerflor would be required to deliver a loose-laid solution over the existing timber floor without the need to remove it. Rec 45 from Gerflor was the specified product; an ideal solution for multi-purpose uses which is also highly recommended for light recreation activities.

CJH Tiling Services, has 10 years of tiling experience, their business covers all aspects of tiling, including kitchens, bathrooms and floors. The client’s brief was to seamlessly join two areas of tiled flooring, one upstairs and one down. They wished for a seamless flow throughout, giving the stairwell a light and airy feel whilst being hard wearing and practical.

The curved teaching space and the auditorium block are connected by a curved segment known as ‘The Link’ which runs through each floor of the building. This linking component features Schüco FWS 50 curtain walling both in the construction of the walls and horizontally in the roof skylights to let natural light into the centre of the building. The Link also acts as an important device to separate the two geometrically opposed buildings.

The danish interior designer and influencer Emil Thorup is the master behind this stunning heritage apartment in Østerbro. The space embraces a classic herringbone parquet and bright walls that makes every room light up. The balance is reached through the edgy details, that gives the classic apartment a younger feel. For the bathroom, Emil used products in brushed stainless steel from the Qtoo collection.

The Hydro Arena was designed in a way to maximize energy efficiency. The building combines natural ventilation with mechanical ventilation – fresh air enters the building above the entrances, and is ventilated to a higher level. Externally, the Hydro Arena is covered with light translucent panels that emit the effects produced in its interior. All of the building can be lightened, being reflected on the sea, just like a lighthouse.

Four Formica® Laminates from the Formica® Collection transform a residential kitchen project with bespoke carpentry. Laminate was chosen to create kitchen doors, shelves, worktops and even an accessible spice rack and a matching dining table. All decors chosen featured a Matte58 finish offering a smooth texture that provides low-level light reflection and minimal maintenance for the owner. 

This significant project was the restoration and extension of a 1976 Basil Spence building in the City of London. This original structure was designed for The Salters, an 800-year-old livery company. It combines post-war bold brutalism with a world of ritual and tradition and its associated memorabilia.InterLace designed, manufactured and installed electric roof blinds for the light and airy atrium, and hand-operated roller blinds in offices.

The Centre for Astronomy Education and Outreach in Heidelberg is unique. The architects Bernhardt + Partner in Darmstadt were inspired by the Whirlpool Galaxy M51 which is located 28 million light years away. Being presented the Energy Efficiency Award 2013 not only acknowledges the excellent daylight concept and exemplary primary energy balance, as well as its outstanding architecture.Photos: Swen Carlin

Wales Air Ambulance have a new headquarters with a new purpose-built office bringing the charity and the airbase together. Local aluminium fabricators and installers Atcost Windows of Llanelli won the contract to supply and fit all the glazing products throughout the building. Kestrel’s curtain walling was specified to create an impressive frontage to the building and maximise natural light to the common areas and meeting rooms.

A green roof system was selected for this project as the client required a roof that would complement and accommodate the step in levels to follow timber decking lines to the 55m² roof terrace areas. IKO Single Ply’s Spectraplan SM120 light grey single ply waterproofing system was overlaid to the existing roof and newly built sun rooms, ready to receive a green roof system.

Over 55 modules of the VELUX Modular Skylight system have been installed in the recently completed Tullibody South Campus, a highly innovative complex incorporating not only 3 educational spaces but also diverse community facilities. Integral to this transformational project was the need to maximise natural light and the availability of fresh air in the deep central area as well as over the new nursery.

Installing a lift in a top floor apartment must not compromise the stability of the building. The installation of residential lift Cibes A5000 has minimal structural impact and requires very little construction work compared to a conventional lift. The lift shaft of the Cibes A5000 can be glazed on all sides, including the machinery side. Glass looks fantastic and preserves the light and airiness of the space.

The Vantage EMF project was pioneered over a year ago in the boardroom of our partner, The Expanded Metal Company in nearby Hartlepool. Managing Director, Phil Astley discussed the principle and BTS Facades & Fabrications put it into practice.We both deemed the idea as that unique that we engaged an intellectual property firm who achieved the patent pending statusThe system utilises the tried and tested Vantage SF technology. The frame is fabricated and the expanded mesh is cut to size on our Streibig Saw. The mesh showcased here is the Athens although, it also available in Bilbao and Madrid.Vantage® EMF systems were tested earlier this year at the VINCI Technology Centre UK. The mesh is fitted to the frame and then powder coated both sides.The bespoke vantage SF rail with pre positioned hooks and anti rattle gasket is fitted to the wall and then the Vantage EMF panels are hooked into placeOur Vantage CS coping competes the scene here to stunning visual effect. We inserted LED lights in the perimeter of the frames to automatically light up at dusk to compound the effect.

The aquatic centre of Val-d’Europe in Bailly-Romainvilliers is environnment friendly with the HQE label. Designed by the french architect Marc Mimram, special attention has been given to the ceilings. The natural light comes through huge bay windows, decorated by curvy structures made of 3300 m² of Barrisol® Blanc Mat stretch ceilings, along with acoustic solution Acoustics® A30 in it.

With Via 57 West, Bjarke Ingels and his firm BIG created a magnificent architectural statement on the Hudson River’s Manhattan shore, built upon a philosophy of equal light and balconies for all apartments, and a shared community courtyard.The building, which won the International Highrise Award in 2016, harnesses both New York’s vibrancy and the tranquillity of nature, becoming an oasis within the never-sleeping city.

During the restoration process the external façade was decorated to create high quality light Portland stone and bath stone paint effects, onto the render substrate, using KEIM Restauro Lasur. The subtle stone appearance created by the system will offer unparalleled longevity and protection. The colours are UV stable and therefore will not fade and the coating is moisture vapour permeable so doesn’t trap moisture in the substrate.

the rooftop bar known as the 'wagtail' is housed atop 68 King William street, a well renowned building in the heart of the square mile. The Raaft support system was used in this instance, to support the Roma Natural tiles giving that light stone appearance. On top of this, positive 'vibes' are the only ambience you're getting from the public enjoying their evening out and taking in the views of the surrounding London skyline.

When it comes to deciding upon the correct skylight solution for your property, there are a lot of different options available to you. Selecting the right type of skylight is essential to ensure the highest possible levels of light enters the room alongside providing you with the most cost effective option for your requirements. In an effort to try and assist you, we have briefly detailed the most popular options available.

When it comes to deciding upon the correct skylight solution for your property, there are a lot of different options available to you. Selecting the right type of skylight is essential to ensure the highest possible levels of light enters the room alongside providing you with the most cost effective option for your requirements. In an effort to try and assist you, we have briefly detailed the most popular options available.

A large bespoke walk on rooflight from Glazing Vision, split into 20 sections, has enabled plenty of natural daylight into this newly built basement conversion, whilst maintaining their outdoor space.With a mantra of ‘don’t move, improve’ being ever present within the world of today, it is important for homeowners to understand how they can best improve their own home and add value to not only their property but also to their style of living.So, when this homeowner spoke to Goedehuizen Architects, they were keen to understand what could be done to create more space in their home and, in particular, how they could create a new lounge area for entertaining friends. With a lack of space above ground and without removing any garden space, it was decided the best option would be to create a basement extension.One of the common problems when creating a basement extension, is you may not be able to get enough light in and the new room may end up gloomy or always dependent on artificial light. Therefore, to avoid this becoming a problem, Goedehuizen Architects sought out a rooflight option which would enable ample light to enter the basement whilst not impacting on any of the outdoor space.Impressed with his discussions with Glazing Vision Europe, it was decided that the initial concept designed by Maikel Snels, architect at Goedehuizen Architects, could be achieved and would include 3 bespoke double glaze diamond shaped walk on Flushglaze rooflights and a large multi-part walk on rooflight, in a U shape and split into 20 sections.Glazing Vision Walk-on rooflights using Flushglaze technology are designed to be installed flush with external flooring – perfect for flat roof terraces. The multipart construction also allowed the construction beams to become camouflaged within the design.Due to its frameless design the U shaped walk on Flushglaze flat rooflight, measuring 1200mm (span) x 11700mm x 15500mm x 11700mm, was not only able to provide the required natural daylight into the basement, but also created an aesthetically pleasing design that fitted into the garden well and maximised the usable space by enabling the clients to walk on the product.This additional natural daylight has helped to bring new life into the property and showcase a remarkable extension project, which has provided the homeowners with the perfect lounge area for entertaining.“The finished result is really great, we get a lot of positive response on the rooflights. Because of the rooflight the basement is a very light space.” Maikel Snels, Goedehuizen Architects.

With its direct Rhine location, the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cologne's Deutz district is a popular area for tourists and trade fair visitors alike. From their vantage point in the hotel, guests also have a view of the most famous landmark of the city: Cologne Cathedral. Setting out from the designer hotel, it is only a few minutes' walk over the Hohenzollern bridge, with all its affixed padlocks, to the city centre.Together with the German magazine Wohnidee and other highly trained specialists, the interior architects from the agency JOI-Design, prop. Peter Joehnk and Corinna Kretschmar-Joehnk, designed exclusive suites for the hotel. Design highlights and special materials were brought together to create a modern atmosphere for the guests. Carefully selected products from KEUCO give the premium bathroom furnishings in the “Urban Retro” suite a very special touch.The interplay between the soft forms and straight contours of EDITION 400 integrates harmoniously into the surroundings of the premium furnishings of the room. A soft oval characterises the face of the washbasin fitting and the bathroom accessories, whose brilliant chrome finishes highlight them effectively. Decoration together with the finest in functionality can be seen in the free-standing porcelain accessories of EDITION 11. And for perfect illumination of the face, there is the light mirror from EDITION 400. The secret: A special light-conducting material transmits the light of the LED to the surface. The lights can be dimmed with the sensor controls, allowing the luminous colour to be adjusted to any setting. The mirror also has an integrated heater, so fogged mirrors are a thing of the past. The illuminated cosmetic mirror is perfect for taking a closer look. The adjustable luminous colour and flexible height settings allow guests to adapt the mirror exactly to meet their needs.In the shower the hotel guest is free to choose between three outlets. The innovative IXMO fitting from KEUCO combines several functions in the smallest of spaces.Three-way diverter valve, wall outlet and hand shower bracket are all integrated into one module. With the help of the thermostat each guest can adjust the optimum temperature for the head shower, waterfall shower or hand shower. One of the great advantages of IXMO is that the placement of the modules can be chosen individually, meaning that, due to the optimum positioning, the stopcock valve can be operated before even stepping into the shower.A versatile shower system with a minimalistic appearance. What’s special about IXMO is that all modules have the same dimensions. Their excellent design can't fail to impress, regardless whether round or rectangular. With a diameter or edge length of only 90 mm and a depth of only 80 mm they present themselves to the guest with a uniform appearance, and offer the best freedom of movement in the shower.