Philips and LUCI Announce Registration for the 8th International CITY.PEOPLE.LIGHT Award

The city light becomes more and more important for the planning of the city’s development. It has become one of the key factors in the shaping of the city’s unique image both in the country and abroad. The company Philips and LUCI invite all the cities and towns of the world to tell about their achievements in the sphere of enhancing the quality of life in the cities within the framework of the 8th Annual city.people.light Award.

The city.people.light award was instituted by Philips together with the LUCI (Lighting Urban Community International Association). LUCI is a unique international community that unites 95 cities and professionals worldwide that use light as the main source of the sustainable ecological development of urban environment. Giving an incentive to the cities that share this approach to the city light the award aims at helping to the cities and towns – both members and non-members of LUCI – to improve the use of light in urban life.

The registration for the participation in the award should be accomplished by June 30, 2010. The winners of the first, second and third prizes will be announced in September during the Annual LUCI Forum in France.

The rightly chosen light can make the image of the night city as beautiful and unforgettable as during the day hours. At the same time changing of the usual city landscape can bring the attitude of the inhabitants of the city on the new higher level.

The city.people.light award gives an incentive to the municipal organizations that try to “humanize” urban environment and use light to enhance the quality of life of the citizens. The award is given to the cities whose concept strategy of city light optimally combines the needs of the modern city life with understanding of the life style, city development concept and modern light technology development.

The jury of the award consists of 6 independent members including leading light designers and architects as well as experienced managers in the sphere of city light. The jury evaluates the project on the basis of several criteria including contribution to the cultural and architectural heritage and commercial life of the city as well as the impact of the project on environment and its role in shaping the unique night image of the city.

Since the foundation of the award in 2003 more than 140 projects participated in the contest. In 2009 the first prize was given to a Finnaish city of Jyväskylä for its project “City of Light”. The peculiarity of this project is the innovative use of the architectural light that aimed to enhance the feeling of safety and comfort in the residents. The runners-up 2009 were the Chinese city of Hangzhou and the Swiss town of Lachen, and the special prize was given to the projects from Copenhagen (Denmark) and Moers (Germany).

Hallway. To create warmth

A hall is a kind of boundary between the noisy bustle of the street with one hand and the comfort of home warmth – on the other. In the hall the guests get a first impression of the house and its inhabitants. It is therefore essential to create an atmosphere that will be appreciated by those who is coming in. Rightly selected lighting can help you in this by emphasizing the advantages of the space or by hiding its flaws.

Hallway. To create warmth

The lack of the day light in the hallway is one of its feature. Thus, regardless of time of a day, entrance requires artificial light. The way and intensity of lighting should be selected taking in consideration the features of your hallway.

Flaws of the space can be hidden by not very bright, but elegant light. Nonetheless, the light should not be too dull; it is negatively affects the psychological comfort. The best option in this case is the diffused light. The positive effect is achieved either through opaque tubes, either by aiming ceiling lamps at the ceiling: the space will be illuminated by the light reflected from the ceiling, sharply defined shadows will vanish.

Hallway. To create warmth

If you have a narrow hallway with high ceiling it’s better to highlight the walls by wall-lamps. The ceiling will remain in the “shadow” and cease to affect the perception of space.

If you have normal ceiling height or below the desired you need to illuminate it. You can arrange a special ledge around the perimeter of the hall near the ceiling, which consolidate a number of pointed lights.

A vestibule of geometrically complex shapes, in the form of a polygon, for example, would be appropriate to divide into the light zones. Illuminated from different angles and by different sources of light curves and crannies become interesting decorative islands on the way into the depth of living space.

In general, it makes sense to equip a hallway with additional local lighting. Thus, special attention should be paid to highlighting the mirror. The flow of light must not create shadows on the figure and face of a man who is standing in front of a mirror. You should either install the lights on the two edges of the mirror, or one – in the center above it.

In the hallway you can install sensors that react to movement. But only in the absence of domestic animals, which can make your hallway to flash every five minutes.

How To Make Your Own Lampshades – A Very Simple Guide

Everyone needs some changes in the daily surrounding scenery – especially in the interior of one’s home. So, if you are tired of the boring colors of your home – you can always make it brighter. There are numerous suggestions for what deserves changes, and changing your lampshades is one of them. Below you may find a simple guide for making a great lampshade.

What you’ll need:

A lamp (you can use your old one or buy one at a garage sale) and its lampshade. If there is none – you can buy a plain white lampshade at any special store.
Decorative fabric for your future lampshade: choose the best one to enhance the interior. Use you designer skills
Large sheet of paper and a pencil for making a patter. It is optional; if you feel that you’ll manage to mark the fabric correctly.
Spray adhesive, craft glue, or fabric glue and scissors
Also you may feel free to use any decorative elements – beads, braids, decorative trims, etc.

Before you start make sure you have enough space for work.

Now you’re ready to go.

Step 1. Take the lampshade, find its seam and place the lampshade on its side on the paper with its seam on one edge of the paper. Then – roll the lampshade on the paper, marking the top and bottom edges with the pencil till you get to the seam again.

How To Make Your Own Lampshades A Very Simple Guide

Step 2. Cut out the paper pattern adding about an inch to the top, bottom and seam lines. Then cut out the fabric according to the paper pattern.

Step 3. Do a test fit of the fabric on the lampshade and trim if necessary. Then glue the fabric to the lampshade using spray adhesive or glue.

Step 4. After drying the lampshade decorate it with a band of braid, ribbon, lace, beads, or fringe. Then switch it on and enjoy the new look of your home interior.