Part of the successful UK-based Speirs and Major Associates partnership (with Mark Major), Speirs commends the introduction of Made of Light - The Art of Light and Architecture feature which he helped to conceive, within the expanded Architectural Lighting and Interior Illumination Zone. In addition to the company's participation here, Jonathan Speirs will also be active in the exhibition's seminar programme, which will include a day of 'Lighting Masterclasses'.
The architect also praised the MELDA Lighting Design Award initiative (which he helped to structure) stating that PALME was not only recognising the convergence between entertainment and architectural lighting technologies, manifest in some of the major projects in the Gulf, but that the prestigious Lighting Design Awards also incentivised creativity, both locally and across the world.
"PALME has shown itself to be a good business model," stated Jonathan. "It is well attended and Install Middle East in particular is demonstrating the considerable crossover between the entertainment market and the rest of the industry, which you wouldn't get in a conventional architectural lighting exhibition. There is immense opportunity for quality creative lighting design to enhance brand identity and to create fantastic destinations."
Speirs and Major Associates have been responsible for delivering numerous prestigious projects throughout the region, including the award winning lighting of the Burj Al Arab; they are presently assisting with the development of both the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and prestigious Al Raha Beach development - the latter with Australian lead architects Esquisse.
Their own willingness to embrace brands whose roots are firmly entertainment based, can be seen, for example, with the use of Martin Architectural's Exterior 1200 Wash at the Grand Mosque. Parent company Martin Professional are just one of a number of companies who will be bringing their innovative lighting fixtures to the show.
The business of illuminating buildings in 2007, states Jonathan is all about creativity. "Designers are continually looking for the paint that goes in their paint tray, and seeking slightly more exotic equipment. The Grand Mosque hired us because they didn't want a floodlit building - they wanted an artistic response, which is what makes a project like this so stimulating.
With the explosion of LED lighting he believes that too many designers are using red, green and blue colour mixes LEDs simply to make buildings change colour. "But that's not what it's about - it's just wrong! We try and advocate restraint, showing that darkness can be used equally creatively and that every light bulb has to be considered and conceived.
"This is why MELDA is such a good idea; it shows that IIR Exhibitions are trying to develop lighting excellence in the Middle East - drawing attention to the fact that not only is there a massive market but also a huge difference between average design and great design. By rewarding beautifully crafted lighting design projects they are doing precisely that."
(Lee Baldock)Jonathan Speirs.
