• The experts outlined how lighting can transform urban spaces, make cities more accessible and bring communities together
  • Light + Intelligent Building Middle East concludes today at the Dubai World Trade Centre

Dubai, UAE: Light plays a pivotal role in an urban environment, meeting the diverse needs of a population through thoughtful design and strategic implementation. By illuminating public spaces, streets and landmarks, light enhances safety and accessibility making cities easier to navigate and welcoming for all residents.

Yesterday at the THINKLIGHT conference at Light + Intelligent Building Middle East, a panel of lighting design experts addressed the role of light on a city-wide scale and its impact on culture and people.  Moderated by Martin Lupton, Co-founder, Light Collective UK the panel included Gary Thornton, Director, Nulty; Cherine Saroufim, Interior Architect - Lighting Designer, Atelier Saroufim – Idepconsult; Dan Lister, Director - UK Lighting Practice Leader, Arup and Stephanie Hreiki, Senior Lighting Designer, WSP.

Opening the session, Lupton said: “Light not only beautifies urban spaces, but bridges gaps between communities and encourages interactions and cultural exchange. Lighting can also be used to create a collective sense of belonging for a space.”

Dynamic lighting solutions can be tailored to various urban settings, from bustling downtowns to quiet residential areas, fostering a sense of inclusivity and unity. Additionally, programmable and adaptive lighting systems can respond to different times of day, seasons and community events, creating a harmonious urban environment that reflects the rhythm and diversity of city life whilst protecting the need to balance light and darkness.

Addressing the attendees at THNKLIGHT, Thornton, who specialises in master planning and strategising lighting at a city-wide level, said: “In the Middle East, we are witnessing the emergence of new cities. As lighting designers, this gives us an opportunity to implement a cohesive lighting strategy from the outset of a new area or district.”

He added: “As the sun goes down in any city, lighting has the power to influence these spaces after dark. Due to the climate of most cities in the Middle East, socialising, exercise, and community events happen in the evening, which gives us even greater potential to harness the power of light.”

Thornton also emphasised the importance of a ‘darkness strategy’ in lighting master planning, suggesting that not every space needs to be illuminated and that lighting should offer visual relief and enhance the character of spaces. He added that nighttime lighting does, however, make a city more accessible and encourages the public to visit a variety of areas, ultimately contributing to the creation of a liveable city.

Innovative lighting solutions have been showcased across the show floor this week at Light + Intelligent Middle East which has featured over 440 exhibitors from 34 countries. Dubai-based Spectrum Lighting Technology has presented its new wireless-powered technology this week at Light + Intelligent Building which includes a wireless underwater light along with linears and uplights.

Commenting on the company’s new launches, Shawkat Jaghoub, Managing Director, Spectrum Lighting Technology said: “The new range of wireless technology safeguards fixtures against moisture and condensation, thereby extending their lifespan and lowering costs for users. Additionally, we have introduced our innovative ‘One For All’ product, featuring a single module that accommodates all applications, including uplights, downlights, wall lights, and ceiling lights.”

Light + Intelligent Building Middle East concludes today at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event is part of the international Light + Building brand and is co-located with Intersec to create the region’s largest exhibition for lighting and building technology.

Light + Intelligent Building Middle East is endorsed by several highly respected industry organisations, including KNX, the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the Society of Light and Lighting, the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), the DALI Alliance, DarkSky International and the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) UAE.

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About Light + Intelligent Building Middle East

Light + Intelligent Building Middle East brings together world-renowned brands, regional players, and promising innovators for an exciting three-day showcase from 14-16 January 2025 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Featuring products within lighting, electrical engineering, home, and building automation, the exhibition has played a vital role in the growth and development of the industry since its launch in 2006, with a solid representation of global products and brands, several educational conferences, certified workshops, and leading awards programme to recognize the very best the industry has to offer.                                                                                                                                                                    

For more information, please visit our website.

About Messe Frankfurt

The Messe Frankfurt Group is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,300 people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 28 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. Group sales in financial year 2023 were more than € 609 million. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of Messe Frankfurt’s key strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are using our digital expertise to develop new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services.

Sustainability is a central pillar of our corporate strategy. Here, we strike a healthy balance between ecological and economic interests, social responsibility and diversity.

For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com/sustainability

With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).

Further information: www.messefrankfurt.com

About Messe Frankfurt Middle East

Messe Frankfurt Middle East’s portfolio of exhibitions includes: Light + Intelligent Building Middle East, Intersec, Intersec Saudi Arabia, Automechanika Dubai, Automechanika Riyadh, Beautyworld Middle East, Beautyworld Saudi Arabia, Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East, Logimotion and Paperworld Middle East. In the 2023/24 event season, Messe Frankfurt Middle East exhibitions combined featured 6,324 exhibitors from over 60 countries and attracted 224,106 visitors from 156 countries.

For more information, please visit our website.