News Archive

C'an de Rosen, Mallorca
New LED projector at Arc09
Grand Mosque wins Award
Light and Building, Frankfurt 2008
Crescent at Arc08
New Fibre Optic Pendants at 100% Design
Crescent Win at Arc07
Part 'L' Need Not Be Dull
Light & Building Frankfurt 2006
Clifton Bridge
Howard St Sheffield
EFO Lamp Colour
Hurlingham Club Sculpture
Clinton Library
Crescent t Arc05
St Giles Hotel
CL Standard stars in France

New LED Lightprojector at Arc09
Despite freezing temperatures, ice snow and traffic chaos Arc was very successful for us again this year, well done for those who braved the weather to come & see us! We were very happy with our stand position in the middle of the hall (next to the bar - a very good move for the Wednesday night drinks reception) and the open layout o the stand seemed to work well. Most people were impressed with the new LED fibre optic projector recently launched by our parent company, Energy Focus Inc, which is shown on the right hand side, below.

Click here for the for full information
on the LED projector

This very neet little unit with an impressive performance and a comprehensive colour control specification was our 'star ' of the show. It is actually brighter than a 150WHQI projector in red magenta and blue colours, with a power rating of only 40W! Indoor and outdoor versions are available and there is also an 18W fanless model. Still to come is a white light version which can be switched to different colour temperatures, full details on this site very soon.

Some of the other new products at at Arc for the first time are shown below.

CLF2745
IP67 RGB spotlight
12x Seoul P5 LEDS
Seamless colour mixing
Anodised aluminium alloy construction

CLF7001
LED Downlight
Part'L' compliant at 350mA
850lm at 700mA
Range of len options

CLU500
LED Lighting bar
On board driver
Thermal feed back
Click together design

Click on any of the above four images to download the new catalogue for these and other products.

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Grand Mosque wins MELDA award
Named after His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late President of the UAE, the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi was opened late in 2007. The structure covers an area of more than 22,000 square metres and some 210,000 cubic metres of concrete and 33,000 tonnes of steel reinforcement was used in its construction. It is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and the world's third largest one. Each of the four minarets rises to a height of 107m, with the main dome reaching 80m.

Islamic Floral detail

In the central hall the Qibla prayer wall was decorated with Islamic floral designs and gold mosaics. Crescent Lighting worked closely with Speirs and Major Associates to provide a fibre optic lighting system to do the design justice.

More than 2000 metres of BPAK150 optical cable were used, powered by CREAD068 projectors manufactured by Crescent's parent company, Energy Focus. The side emitting fibre optic cable mimics the designs cut into the marble cladding. The cable is fixed behind the marble and throws light onto white reflector behind, the design seeming to 'glow'. (See Fig.1)

A similar approach was taken with the script cut out in the marble.
This time the Lightbeam QR linear profile was used to throw light back onto the glass material behind the cut outs. (See Fig.2)

Keith Bradshaw of Speirs and Major Associates explains:
" The Energy Focus projector and Lightbar fitted the requirements of the design like a glove. We tested many different light sources but found that the fixed angle focus of the Lightbeam illuminated the inner gold curtain detail in an even manner yet with a certain sparkle and brilliance which suited the material. The installation frame and support for the wall was very complex and the Lightbeam was very well suited to fix discreetly to the mounting channel of the marble wall."

Nintynine two-metre lengths of Lightbeam QR were fitted and these again were powered by the CREAD068 I projector, well over 200 being supplied to the whole project.

The Energy Focus CREAD068 projector is unique in having a patented Compound Parabolic Collector (CPC) at the very heart of the optical system. The CPC collects the light generated by the 70W AC HQI lamp directly from the arc tube and at the same time directs the light beams to the ideal angle (35 degrees max) to efficiently launch the light into the fibre.
The CPC non-imaging system mixes the colour, giving a very even distribution, and then feeds it out in two outputs to the fibre.

"The double output CREAD068 is very efficient in terms of the efficacy at transmitting light into the harness. We found the single 70W HQI double output unit gave the same relative intensity as conventional single output 150W HQI projector" commented Keith Bradshaw.

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Light and Building, Frankfurt 2008
Frankfurt was successful for us again ths year. As usual we shared the stand with Energy Focus and our sister company, LBM. Bernhard and the LBM team did a great job with the stand design yet again, and there was a good mix of functional and decorative products,fibre optics and LEDs. The images that follow show some of the new products on the stand.

22 February 2008
Crescent at Arc08

We had two stands this year at Arc08, our normal position on the mezzanene level which showed the LED linear wall wash system and some new downlights with LED or HID lamps, (the downlights all comply with the requirements of Part 'L' of the building regulations), amongst other things. We also showed products on our second stand,on the decorative gallery.

The decorative stand upstairs on the gallery level showed Ufo, Scintilla and some wall mounted LED options, such as the CRE 2711 square glass unit, shown below.
The star of the stand was, as usual, Laluna. Mounted a little lower than normal, visitors wanted to touch it, entranced by it's ethereal beauty. Most were suprised that the prices start as low as around £500 including a TH projector.

CLF 2711

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22nd February 2007
Crescent win at Arc07

The Arc07 exhibition was particularly successful for us this year. We designed at stand with a much cleaner, uncluttered look, but which still showed a lot of new products. The new recessed LED products and the prototype of a unique wallwash LED system were installed in the white demo 'bins' seen above, so that they could be demonstrated but didn't spoil the softer feel of the area. Laluna created a lot of attention, as usual.
The walls were lit with the CLS system which created an interesting edge lit effect on the extrusion shapes and logo outline.
Many people complemented us on the design, but the icing on the cake was to win the Arc07 & Society of Light & Lighting 'Best Stand Design' award.
Well done the Crescent design team!

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The recently upgraded Crescent EFO (Efficient Fibre Optics) projector delivers over 45 luminaire-lumens/circuit watt meeting the requirements of L2A and L2B for new and existing buildings. This figure is actual delivered lumens and takes into account both the efficacy of the lamp and the LOR of the luminaire. The EFO projector is manufactured by Crescent's parent, Fiberstars, and has had a modified, higher output cloverleaf lamp reflector profile added in recent months.

The EFO system using six or eight tails has been independently tested by ITL of Colorado and gives just over 50 luminaire-lumens/watt easily exceeding the minimum requirements of Part L for both domestic and commercial buildings. This will enable the 'small downlight' look to be used to provide a variation in the lighting effect around the edge of large areas, to wall wash, light corridors, lift lobbies, reception areas meeting rooms. EFO is also a very useful tool in helping designers meet the demands of Part L (L1A and L1B) for private houses where it can add much needed sparkle in comparison to cfl downlights. This enables the owners' preference for tungsten downlights to be offset by using EFO in both the decorative and working areas of the home. The projector houses a 68w metal halide lamp with a rated life of 10,000 - 14,000 hours. This is focused using the unique 3-way or 4-way cloverleaf reflector, via quartz rods through to the fibre.

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Frankfurt was great fun as usual this year - it's always good to see so many friends and colleagues from around the world, and we were pleased with an increase in visitors from the UK this time too. The stand was a big success, Bernhard Mann at LBM doing a fantastic job with the design. Apart from our LED products the entire stand was lit with EFO projectors which meant there was only 1.2Kw consumed for the whole area!		One of the more decorative areas with our new LED fittings on the wall, a central EFO wine glass fixture and illuminated stools!New LBM Luna fitting, below, created at lot of interest.
Star of the show from an EFO point of view was EFO-ICE, the revolutionary new chill & freezer cabinet lighting system. Our new CLI linear LED colour change unit with integral driver was seen for the first time as a prototype - more details of this when the final specification is completed. See below.
			The LED Track was also shown using the new triple LED spot as well as the smaller single units.

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11th May 2006
Clifton Bridge Switched On!

The new lighting scheme for the Clifton Suspension bridge was officially switched on in early April in a ceremony complete with fireworks, timed to coincide with the bi centennial of the birth of its designer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

The structure, spanning the river Avon in Bristol, has always been lit, but this scheme from Pinniger & Partners used the latest technology and Crescent Lighting provided 748 special 3x 1w LED fittings to illuminate the iron chains that hang over the road deck.

Although initially based around a standard exterior spotlight, the final design is almost totally different, with an attachment clamp (no drilling allowed on the chains!), a special glare guard, and a paint finish to match the one on the chains.

The drivers are mounted in the two towers at either end of the bridge to keep access easy, and are controlled from an Ex-Or system which is operated from the Bridgemaster's control office.

The horizontal bridge deck is illuminated by fluorescent fittings which both delineate the structure from the outside and provide lighting for the pedestrian walkways on the inside.

Crescent would like to thank Pinniger & Partners, Silcock Dawson the engineering consultants, Bridgemaster John Mitchell and Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust for their cooperation in this project.

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19th February 2006
Howard St Sheffield

Crescent lighting have supplied fibre optic lighting to the dramatic new water feature in the Howard Street pedestrian area of Sheffield.

The Howard Street and Hallam Garden areas are part of a huge regeneration project to link the railway station to the city centre via an attractive pedestrian route.
Howard Street has been pedestrianised and landscaped with a new paved surface, lit seating areas, and new street lighting, as well as the new water feature.

The water feature (the design of which is a metaphor for molten steel running down the hill, cooling as it goes, before disappearing down the 'sink'!) comprises a fountain feeding a rill leading down to the collection sink. The water is recirculated passing through a filter system, before being pumped back up to the fountain.
The fountain and rill areas are covered in a 'hot metal' mosaic tile design with the colours changing as the rill goes further away from the fountain and towards the sink, and the 'metal' cools.

Lighting designers Sutton Vane Associates worked closely with Sheffield City Council to devise and decided that the fountain & rill feature should be lit with fibre optics.
The fountain used paver fittings with clear glass lenses, whilst the rill used the lightbar linear fibre optic system, which was hard anodised & resin filled to protect it from the elements. There was over 30 metres of Lightbar fitted to one side of the rill powered by eight IP 45 250w HQI CRE4625 projectors.

The top smaller image above shows the special seats illuminated by the CLS linear LED system

Thanks go to Sutton Vane & Sheffield City Council, who kindly provided the images.

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19th July 2005

New EFO Lamp Colour

Crescent Lightings parent company, Fiberstars have started shipments of a new Daylight lamp for the company’s new energy saving lighting technology, EFO (Efficient Fiber Optics).

The new lamp was showcased at two recent trade shows – Lightfair International 2005 in New York, and the Edison Electric Institute National Accounts Spring 2005 Workshop in Las Vegas, Nevada. The lamp, which features a light spectrum that duplicates sunlight, was received positively by prospective customers.

The new Daylight lamp addresses the light colour requirements of some customers and lighting designers. It meets the demand for premium white light and has a high Colour Rendering Index, indicating its ability to accurately render the colour red. The new Daylight lamp will be sold as a companion product with the existing EFO Warm White lamp and give customers more choices in the application of EFO. The new lamp is believed to broaden the marketing opportunities for EFO, especially in lighting clothing, cosmetics and in other colour sensitive environments, including museums and commercial buildings.

The Daylight lamp was beta site tested in the sea food department of the Whole Foods Market® landmark store in Austin, Texas. The installation increased the amount of light typically delivered by halogen MR16 lamps, and reduced energy consumption by 72%.

Fiberstars EFO is more energy efficient than halogen, other incandescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps and LEDs. It significantly reduces watts per square metre without sacrificing light levels and helps meet lighting wattage restrictions demanded by new energy regulations for commercial market new construction and renovations in the USA.

One EFO 70 watt lamp replaces up to eight (8) 50 watt MR16 halogen lamps – an energy savings of over 80%. It can also replace (4) four 26 watt compact fluorescent lamps, an energy savings of 33%, and 60 3-watt LED devices, an energy savings of over 60%.

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31st May 2005
Hurlingham Club Sculpture

This is the largest commission that Mason has ever tackled involving, water & light and to refine the design he used a mock up at water feature and fountain specialists Ustergate who supplied all the water related equipment.
Crescent also conducted trials with Ustagate and the fibre optic equipment at this stage to establish the best combination for the project.
Lengths of the linear fibre optic Lightbar range were formed into curves to match the circumference of the pool (about 14 metres), and installed so that the water flows close by them, picking up the light on the way, the movement of the water making the light appear to flicker softly.
The central sphere is lit with four fountain spots within its base, which are focused so as to illuminate the whole of the inside.
CRE4625 250w IP46projectors were used with FSPTe50 optical cable for the spots.

For more information on Barry Mason sculptures visit www.barry-mason.co.uk

"For me the idea behind a sculpture is paramount, and the methods and materials chosen to express the idea should be the best available".
Barry Mason

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24th April 2005
Clinton Library, Little Rock, Arkansaw

11th March 2005

Crescent at Arc05



This was our display at the inaugural Arc05 exhibition last month. Using our new modular box structure we showed the the CL range, the EFO system, various standard LED & fibre optic solutions, and the new LED Spotlights and LED Track system for the first time.
The LED track got an enthusiastic response from everyone who saw it and we have great hopes for this exiting new product with it's patent applied for spotlight attachment system.

This attachment system ensures that the correct currect is always seen by each spotlight no matter how many are fitted to a length of track (spotlight numbers are only limited by the size of driver).
The track is available in 350 or 700mA versions so that 1 or 2w spotlights can be used.
Click on the image to download a pdf data sheet on this new system.

We enjoyed the exhibition and hope the this is the start of something that will grow, with the addition of some of the bigger companies who were absent this year.

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26th November 2004

BPAK looks stunning on St Giles Hotel

BPAK side emitting fibre optic cable looks brilliant on top the the St Giles Hotel in Fetham, nr Heathrow.
The hotel wanted to revamp the lighting 'outline' at the roof level following the failure of the original system (by others!) and to try to increase the lighting effect.
Crescent Lighting used the recently introduced CRE4625 IP45 250wHQI projector which is particularly suitable because of the IP rating/stainless steel construction (the projectors had to be mounted outside on the roof) and the excellent performance of the 250wHQI lamp with the BPAK150 side emitting optical cable.
Total of 14 projectors were used & more than 200metres of BPAK150 cable, to edge the whole of the roof line. A blue filter is used on the fibre to complement the blue light washing up the hotel sides from the ground.

The Hotel is located in the middle of Feltham, west of London, just a couple of miles south of Heathrow airport. The hotel is highly visible, and has become a local landmark.

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1 st Noveber 2004

CL Standard stars in France

Crescent has supplied the CL Standard linear colour change system to Lumiere, the largest privately owned building in Paris. The building, over 400 meters long, is treated with theatrical lighting effects to make it stand out from the background buildings and make it visible from the Peripherique.
Lighting Design International specified the product for the key bridges which span the reception area. The CL system washes the undersides of the bridges and changes colour from yellow, orange and red in the early evening to blue & deep purple later at night.

The system was also used in the lift lobbies to backlight glazed areas.

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