A scheme at the Emirates Stadium by Kate Wilkins and Virgin's luxury Upper Class Lounge at Heathrow by Isometrix Lighting + Design both make the cut in the Leisure category while hotly tipped Saint Paul's cathedral causes no surprises in the Heritage section.
In the entertainment category Robbie Williams having made the grade for the second year running is battling with Pink and Glyndebournes's production of Cosi Fan Tutte for top honours. While over in the innovations section, major manufacturers include Hoffmeister, Thorn, We-Ef, Siteco, Concord:marlin, Harvard, GE and Lamina.
Each finalist has come through an extremely rigorous judging process. Representatives from the judging panel completed over 50 site visits to the long listed finalists. There are three different judging panels, one for projects, one for innovation and one for entertainment. Each panel has relevant experts and all are working practitioners in their respective fields. A difficult achievement considering there were over 20% more entries this year, which were located throughout the British Isles.
"This year the judges selected no less than 50 projects to access. This was a mammoth task and it took six judges two months to complete their on-site assessments and this included four days of analysis and debate," says Ray Molony, chairman of the judges.
The winners will be announced at a celebratory evening on the 15 March at the London Hilton Park Lane. The venue will seat 800 to dine and with bookings already well in excess of 600 the organisers are recommending those who wish to attend to reserve their places as soon as possible.
"The Lighting Design Awards have proved to be a great opportunity for all the top people in lighting to network and celebrate. This year with our move to the Hilton and 800 guests it is going to be a fantastic night," says Liz Morris, event director.
The Lighting Design Awards is organised by Emap, the publisher of Lighting magazine, and the Institution of Lighting Engineers. They are supported by the Lighting Industry Federation and PLASA.
There are two categories; projects and innovations. The judging panels of experts Iin the projects category includes: Peter Le Manquais, managing director, Wila Lighting; John Bullock an independent lighting designer; Sharon Stammers, former senior lighting designer at Phoenix Large/Lightmatters; Mike Simpson, technical and design director, Philips Lighting; Ray Molony, editor, Lighting magazine and Chris Hardy, head of lighting at Bournemouth Borough Council.
In the innovations category, judges include: Alex Lifschutz, principal architect, Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands; David Morgan, product designer and principal, David Morgan Associates; Des O'Donovan, senior lighting designer, DHA Designs; Tom Webster, technical support manager, DW Windsor; David Burton, former head of lighting at London Underground and director, Fifth Dimension Associates and Faye Robinson, principal lighting designer, Troup Bywaters and Anders.
(Chris Henry)
