NEWH - Summer 2013 - (Page 34)

Product Know How Lighting Seeing Clearly High-tech solutions brighten hospitality spaces By Kelly Hushin T here are few places in a hotel where one can so clearly see the effects of changing technology than in its lighting. Sure, one might argue that flatscreen TVs or MP3 player-ready alarm clocks are great indicators of technology’s advancement. Lighting, however, has been forced to change, if for no other reason than the energy savings modern bulbs can facilitate. As owners get pushed harder to save on energy and keep pace with high-tech consumers, the state of a hotel’s lighting can serve as a good gauge for its tech-savvy status. “The newest and coolest thing we’re seeing in lighting is the technology available to create the designs,” said Laurie Foster, director of design at Ashley Lighting. The 28-year-old hospitality lighting company is starting to use the latest in 3D and engineering software in its manufacturing and design. One example of this is digital and rapid prototyping, which Foster says enables visualization and simulation of a product before the creation of physical samples, thus reducing time and cost in development. As for light delivery systems themselves, manufacturers claim that LEDs are only getting more popular, and they claim the energy source will continue to prove promising. “We are seeing a greater demand for LED lighting, dimmer switching, and other energy-saving light sources and functions,” said Foster. Amy Repsher, senior marketing manager at Hallmark Collective, says that LEDs have been around for a long time, but are continually evolving. “LED is the future of hospitality lighting,” she said. “[They are] becoming more affordable, and the best part about them is they are truly a green product.” The green component comes primarily from their extreme energy efficiency, with some chips within LEDs now able to emit more than 100 lumens per watt. As a comparison, a 100-200 watt tungsten incandescent bulb emits about 14 lumens per watt, meaning it takes far more energy to reach the same luminosity as an LED. Repsher pointed to a new product line at Hallmark called Krush that is made in California, exemplifying another modern request from designers: that products be designed in the U.S., to further decrease environmental footprints. Ron Smith, vice president at Ashley Lighting, said the company is eagerly addressing an increased need for more environmentally friendly products. Th is began with a shift from compact fluorescent to LED lighting, he says, stressing Ashley’s partnership with Energy Star and its ongoing goal to design and offer eco-friendly products. Matthew Dehnert, director of strategic development at iWORKS, agreed that technology is paving the way for trends in lighting 34 www.newh.org Left and below: Two contemporary options from Ashley Lighting: a table lamp with a black and ivory silk shade, and an LED desk lamp with a flex arm in white and polished chrome. Above and right: Two table lamps from Hallmark Collective: twig lined D404285 and Mina in emerald. http://www.newh.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - Summer 2013

NEWH - Summer 2013
Table of Contents
News
Who’s Who
Sustainability: Point of View
Conference Roundup
Q&A: Lynn Fisher
Q&A: Mary Ann Thornam
Have You Seen?
Product Know How
On the Scene
NYLO Dallas South Side
Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel
Save the Date
New Members
Partner Pro
Ad Index

NEWH - Summer 2013